RELIEF IN GOD ALONE. 47 any thing that he does not make a plea of; the faith- fulness, righteousness, name, mercy, goodness, and kindness of God in Jesus Christ ; the concern of others in him, both the friends and foes of God ; his own weakness and helplessness, yea, the greatness of sin itself: "Be merciful to my sin," saith he, "for it is great." Sometimes he begins with some arguments of this kind; and then, being a little diverted by other considerations, some new plea is suggested to him by the Spirit, and he returns immediately to his first em- ployment and design all arguing great intensity of mind and spirit. Consíancy also flows from intenseness. Such a soul will not give over until it obtains what it looks for, as we shall see in further considering this psalm. This is, in- general, the deportment of a gracious soul in the condition here represented. As poor creatures love their peace, as they love their souls, as they value the glory of God, they must not be wanting in this duty. What is the reason that controversies hang so long be- tween God and your souls that, it may be, you scarce see a good day all your lives? Is it not, for the most part, from your sloth and despondency of spirit l you will not gird up the loins of your mind in dealing with God, to put them to a speedy issue in the blood of Christ. You go on and off, begin and cease, try and give over ; and for the most part, though your case be extraordi- nary, content yourselves with ordinary and customary applications to God. This makes you wither, become useless, and pine away under your perplexities. David did not so ; but after many and many a breach made by sin, through quick, vigorous, restless actings of faith, all was repaired, so that he lived peaceably and died triumphantly. Up, then, and be doing; make thorough work of that which lies before you ; be it long or diffi- cult, it must be done, and is attended with safety.
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