ifIS THE AGGRAVATIONS OF BACKSLIDING. lively exercises of grace, and so far fall in with sin and a neglect of duty, as to be uneasyat the thoughts of God. A despondency in his mercy, will bring a murmuring at all his dealings, so as to say, Lord, why hast thou dealt thus with me ? Yet, saith the Lord, still, though he be uneasy at me, I will not be uneasy at him : I think on him with pleasure, because I resolve to recover him ; though he be unwilling to return to me I pity him, he knows not whither he runs when he runs from me, I will call him back ; he may for a season look like one that is ut- terly dead in trespasses and sins, but it cannot be said, as to a christian, any otherwise but that he sleepeth. He looks like one that is dead in sins, but I will awaken him again ; he is uneasy at the thoughts of me, but I will ma- nifest myself to him with such love, as shall make myself the most delightful object of his thoughts; he shall re- ceive my kindness with wonder and all thankfulness. He now murmurs at mydealings, but he shall see that all my ways are faithful ways, and all mydealings are deal- lings of love and kindness. It is sad, very sad, when he is fallen to this low degree of Christianity, but yet God has his healing methods. Secondly, To shew the greatness of the grace that is contained in this text, let us consider what are the ag- gravations in their departure from God. I. Great folly and stupidity to forsake the living, all- seeing God, and to pursue the creatures as though life were expected from them. It is such a love that God calls to the inanimate creatures to stand amazed at it. Jer. ii. 12. " Be astonished, O ye Heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord ; has a nation changed their gods, which yet are no gods ? Pass over the isles and see, consider diligently if there be such a thing ; but my people have changed their' glory for that which does not profit: theybecome more brutish, saith the Lord,, than anyof the nations afar off:" and this is declared in words, very expressive of the highest folly, in Jer. v. 12. and following verses.. Rebel- lion, revolting, turning aside from God to the creature, is an instanceof such folly, that God has expressed it in such language as should make it appar to us the most obstinate, the most impudent, and the most hateful of all
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