RELIEF IN GOD ALONE. 45 The Holy Ghost gives them a fresh sense of their deep concerns, on purpose to stir them up to these ear- nest applications to God. The whole work is his, and he carries it on by means suited to the end; and by these means is a gracious soul brought into the state mentioned. In this work several things concur. 1. .r1 continual thoughtfulness about the sad condi- tion of the soul in its depths. " Thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore; there is no soundness in my flesh, because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones, because of my sin: for mine iniquities are gone over mine head; as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds-stink, and are corrupt, because of my foolishness'. I am trou- bled, I am bowed down, I go mourning all the day long. I am feeble and sore broken, I have roared for the dis- quietness of my heart." Psalm 38 : 2-8. Restlessness, disquietness of heart, continual heaviness of soul, sor- row and anxiety, lie at the bottom of the applications we are speaking of. From these principles their prayers flow out,as David adds, verse 9, "Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee." He prayed out of the abundance of his meditation and grief. Thoughts of their condition lie down with such persons, and rise with them, and accompany them all the day long. As Reuben cried, " The child is not; and I, whither shall Igo 1" so doth such a soul : The love of God is not, Christ is not; and I, whither shall I cause my sorrow to go 1 God is provoked, death is nigh 'at hand, relief is far away, darkness is about me; I have lost my peace, my joy, my song in the night : what do I think of duties I Can two walk to- gether unless they be agreed? C,an I walk with God in them while I have thus made him mine enemy 1 What do I think of ordinances 1 Will it do me any good to be at Jerusalem, and not see the face of the king; to
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