DEPTHS OF SIN. 15 Gracious souls, after much communion with God, may be brought into inextricable depths and entangle meets on account of sin. The inward root of distresses is principally to be at- tended to in all pressing trials : our sin, as the cause of our afflictions. It is a sad truth that we have proposed for considera- tion : he that hears it ought to tremble in himself, that he may rest in the day of trouble; it speaks out the apostle's advice, " Be not high - minded, but fear ;" Rom. 11 : 20. And "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest, he fall." 1 Cor. 10 : 12. When Peter had learn- ed this truth by woful experience, after all his boldness and forwardness, he gives this counsel to all saints, "that they would pass the time of their sojourning here in fear," 1 Pet. 1 : 17 ; knowing how near, in our great- est peace and serenity, evil and danger may lie at the door. Some few instances of the many that are left on re- cord, wherein this truth is exemplified, may be men- tioned. " Noah was a just man, perfect in his genera- tion, and Noah walked with God." Gen. 6 :.9. He did so a long season, and that in an evil time, amidst all sorts of temptations, " when all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." This Nave an eminency to his obedience, and doubtless rendered the communionwhich he had with God, in " walking before him," most sweet and precious to him. He was a gracious soul, upon the undoubted testimony of God himself. But we know what befell this holy person. He that shall read the story recorded of Noah, (Gen. 9 : 20,) will easily grant that he was brought into inextricable distress on account of sin. His own drunkenness, ver. 21, with 'the consequences of it, provoked the unnatural con- duct of his son, ver. 22; and this leads him to the de
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