316 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. reflect on that infinite grace and compassion which he is exercising towards you. RULE X. Duly improve the least appearances of God, in a way of grace or pardon. If you would come to stability and a comforting per- suasion of an interest in forgiveness by the blood of Christ, improve the least appearance of him to your soul, and the least intimations of his love in pardon that in his compassion are made to you. The spouse takes notice of her husband and rejoices in him when he stands behind the wall, when he loth but look forth at the window and show himself at the lattice, when she could have no clear sight of hire. Cant. 2 : 9. She lays hold on the least appearance of him to support her heart with and to stir up her affections towards him. Men in danger do not sit still to wait until something presents itself that will give assured deliverance, but seize upon what first presents itself. God in many places expresses such supports as give the soul little more than a possi- bility of attaining the end : as, " It may be ye shall be hid in the dayof the Lord's anger." Zeph. 2 : 3. And " Who knoweth but he will return and leave a blessing l" Joel, 2 : 14. It may be we shall be hid; it may be we shall have a blessing. And this was the best ground that Jonathan had for the great undertaking against the ene- mies of God, " It may be that the Lord will work for us." 1 Sam. 14 : 6. And to what end does God at any time make these seemingly doubtful intimations of grace and mercy l Is it that we should, by the difficulty in- cluded in them, be discouraged and kept from him l
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