290 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. 4t' he cannot any longer draw out the sweetness of the conclusion mentioned. It was in him before from the shining of God's countenance, and not from any argu- ings of his own. No disappointment, then, no tediousness or weari- ness should make the soul leave off waiting on God, if it intend to attain consolation and establishment. So it was with the church : " This I recall to my mind, there- fore have I hope." Lam. 3: 21. What is it that she calls to mind l This, " that it is of the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." verse 22. I will yet hope, I will yet continue in my expectation, on account of never- failing compassion, of endless mercies in him, whatever my present condi- tion be. And thence she makes a blessed conclusion, It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." verse '26. This is. our third rule. It is good to hope and wait, whatever our present condition be, and not to give over, if we would not be sure to fail; a duty on which the close of this psalm insists, and which will be further considered. RULE IV. Remove the hinderances of believing by a searching out of sin. Let the soul that would attain to establishment and consolation in believing and obedience, make thorough wörk in the search of sin, even to the sins of youth, that all scores on that account may clearly be wiped out. If there be much rubbish left in the foundation of the building, no wonder if it always shake and totter. Men's leaving any sin unsearched to the bottom, will poison all their consolation. David knew this, when, in.
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