îß`.f MEDITATIONS A very. These things are to be used, according as we receive supplies of grace from above, in subordination unto that work of faith that shall be declared. Where- fore, S. The work of recovering backsliders or believers from under theirspiritual decays, is an act of sovereign grace, wrought in us by virtue of divine promises; out of this eater cometh meat. Because believers are liable to such declensions, backslidings, and decays, God bath provided and given us great and precious promises of a recovery, if we duly apply ourselves unto the means of it. One of the places only wherein they are recorded, I shall here call over andexplain, Hos. xiv. 1, S. The whole matter treated of in general, both as unto the disease and remedy, is fully stated in this passage of scripture; and that in the experience of the church, and God's dealing with them; we may therefore receive many plain directions from it, and a safe guidance in our progress, which we shall endeavour to take in the ensuing observations. 1. Titis application of Godunto Israel, (OIsrael re- turn) was made when the generality of the people were wicked and devoted unto utter destruction. So it is de- clared in the last words of the foregoing chapter, and their desolation fell out not long after accordingly. Wherefore no season nor circumstances of things will obstruct sovereign grace, when God will exercise it to- wards his church: it shall work in the midst ofdesolat- ing judgments. 2. In such a time the true Israel of God, the elect themselves, are apt to be overtaken with the sins of the whole, and so to backslide from God, and so to fall in- to spiritual decays. So Israel had nowdone, though she had not absolutely broken covenant with God; he was yet unto her the Lord thy God, yet she had fallen by her iniquity. Times of public apostacy are often ac- companied with partial defects in the best. Because iniquity aboundeth, the love of many shall wax cold, Mat. xxiv. 12. 3. When God designs to heal the backsliding of his people by sovereign grace, he gives them effectual calls unto repentance, and the use of means for their heal- ing; so he doth here by his prophet, O Israel, return, take with you words. And ifI could see that Goddid stir up his faithful ministers to apply themselves in a peculiar manner unto this work of pressing vehemently ND DISCOURSES. all their congregations with theirduty herein, and let them know, that there is no other way to prevent their ruin, but by returning unto the Lord, accordingL. the ways of it here prescribed; I should not doubt but that the timeof healing were at hand. 4. The means prescribed unto this end, that our backslidings may be healed, in a way suited unto the glory of God, is renewed repentance. And this acts itself, ist. In fervent prayer. Take with you words, and say, consider the greatness and importance of the work before you, and weigh well what you do in your deal- ing with God. The matter of this prayer is twofold: (1.) The pardon of all iniquity; that is, the taking' of it away: and no sin is omitted, all being now become equally burdensome;. taise away all iniquity. When the souls of sinners are in good earnest in their return unto God, they will leave out the considerationof no one sin whatever. Nor are we meet for healing, nor shall we apply ourselves unto it in a due manner, with- out some previous sense of the love of God in the par- don of our sin. (2.) Gracious acceptation; receive us graciously. The words in the original are only, re- ceive good; but both the words being used variously, the sense eminently included in them, is well expressed by receive us graciously. After we have cast ourselves under tokens of thy displeasure, now let us know that we are freely accepted with thee. And this also lies in the desires of them who design to obtain an healing of their backslidings; for under them they are sensible that they are obnoxious unto God's displeasure. 2ndly. Affectionate confessions of the sin, wherein their backslidings did consist, or which were the occa- sions of them. Ashur shall not save us, &e. we will say no more to the work ofour hands, ye are our Gods. Fleshly confidence, and false worship, were the two great sins that had nosy ruined the body of the people: these believers themselves had an accession unto then snore or less, as now we have unto the prevailing sins of the days wherein we live, by conformity unto the world. Of these sins God expecteth a full and free confession in order unto our healing. idly. A renewed covenant-engagement to renounce all other hopes and expectation, and to betake them- selves with their whole trust and confidence unto him; whereo they express, first, the cause, which was his
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