HELPLESSNESS OF MAN. Q99 The human patron hates importunity ; the Heavenly Patron invites it. The one receives his suitor according to hiS humour, or refuses his admission from the caprice of the moment ; with the other, " there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning :" " Come unto me," is his uniform language. The man in power has many claimants on his favour, and comparatively few boons to bestow. The God of Power has all things in His gift, and only blames the solicitor for coming so sel- dom, or coming so late, or staying so little a while. He only wishes that His best gifts were more earnestly sought. When we solicit an earthly benefactor, it is often upon the strength of some pretence to his favour - the hope of some reward for past services : even if we can produce little claim, we insinuate something like merit. But when we approach our Heavenly Benefactor, so far from having any thing like claim, o 6
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