ON HOSEA XIV. VERSE 1, 2. 17 or ending, according to the use which they make of such interwoven mercies. I have cursorily run over the first part of the con- text the invitation unto repentance, as intending to enlarge on the second, which is II. The instruction how to perform it. Therein we have, 1. A general instruction, " Take unto you words ;" 2. A particular form, what words they should take, or a petition drawn to their hands, " Take away all iniquity," &c. 1. A general instruction. Of this I shall speak but a little. It imports the serious pondering and choosing of requests to put up to God. The mother of Artaxerxes, in Plutarch, was wont to say, that they who would address themselves unto princes, must use silken words. Surely he that would approach unto God, must consider, and look as well to his words as to his feet. He is so holy and jealous of his worship, that he expects there should be preparation in our accesses unto him. Preparation of our persons by purity of life, Job xi. 13. Preparation of our services, by choice of matter, John ix. 31. Luke xv. 17, 18. Preparation of our hearts, by finding them out, stirring them up, fixing them, fetching them in, and calling together all that is within us, to prevail with God. The services which we thus prepare must be taken from him. They must not be the issues of our own private and fleshly hearts. For nothing can go to God, but that which comes from him ; and this phrase seems to import these three things. 1. We must attend unto his will, as the rule of our prayers. 2. We must attend unto his precepts and promises, as the matter of our prayers. 3. We must attend unto the guidance of his Holy Spirit, as the life and principle of our prayers, without which we know not what to ask. s3
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