WHY BACKSLIDINC IS PERMITTED. 627 in the Gospel. Thus the instance of his fall and his re- covery, and that of David, have been methods whereby the divine Spirit has released souls that were sinking under the weight of despair. David himself cries out from the depth of distress, and the Lord heard 'him ; and then he saith, let Israel hope in the Lord, for the Lord will have mercy. These are some of the reasons for which God goes now and then out of his ordinary Kay to reclaim transgressions : but remember, that this is not God's usual method ; I would have this inculcated upon all our spirits. It may be where he recovers one sinner that runs on at this rate, there are many thousands hurried along to their eternal misery. s ,47
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