176 of SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant, whom I have chosen, that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he : before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no Sa- viour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed when there was no strange God among you : therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.' Chap. xliv. 8. 'Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not told thee from that time, and have declared it, ye are even mywitnesses. Is there a God beside me l Yea, there is no God : I know not any.' (2.) Those atheistical impieties, principles, and prac- tices, which abound amongst us, are grievousprovoca- tions to all pious souls. Without frequent retreat to thoughts of the being of God, there is no relief nor refreshment to be had under them. Suchwas the case of Noah in the old world, and of Lot inSodom, which rendered their graces illustrious. 2. Because of the unaccountable confusion that all things are filled with at this day of the world. Whatever in former times hath been a temptation in human affairs to any of the people of God, abounds at this day. Never had men, profane and profligate, greater outward appearances to strengthen them in their atheism, nor those that are godly, greater trials for their faith, with respect to the visible state of things in the world. The Psalmist of old, on such an occa- sion, was almost surprised into unbelieving complaints, Ps. lxxiii. 2-4; &c., and such surprisals may now also befall us, that we may be ready tosay with him, ' ver- ily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and wac hed my hands in innocency i for all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.' Hence, when
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