begotten Son, that whosoever believeth "in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

Think of his infinite love, in thus giving his Son to redeem a lost world. Oh, what a brightness does the cross shed around the divine character! Here you see wisdom and power, justice and peace, all combined in the utmost harmony. "Who "indeed is a God like unto" him, "that "pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the "transgression of the remnant of his heri

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tage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, "because he delighteth in mercy'." This is "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and

gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in "goodness and truth, keeping mercy for "thousands, forgiving iniquity and trans

gression, and sin, and that will by no "means clear the guilty"." He is " a sun "and shield: The Lord will give grace "and glory: no good thing will he with"hold from them that walk uprightly."

Every good gift and every perfect gift is "from above, and cometh down from the

s John iii. 16. t Micah vii. 18. u Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7. ≈ Ps. lxxxiv. 11.

"Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning"."

Seek this merciful and gracious Being, whose favour is life, and whose lovingkindness is better than life; who can make you for ever and infinitely blessed, or for ever and infinitely miserable. Seek him who can open to you the gates of paradise, there to taste of the water of the river of life; or, who can cast you down to hell, there to writhe in torture in the lake of perdition.

2. Seek the Lord in the sincere and earnest use of the means of grace which he hath appointed.

These are channels through which he dispenses his blessings, and of which he has made it our duty to avail ourselves. These you must use as undone sinners in yourselves; unable to please him by your own power; and relying altogether upon his grace to assist and bless you. Thus you must attend on the preaching and reading of his word; thus you must pray to him, and thus you must seek him in all his works and ways. He is a prayer-hearing God, and will be found by all who seek from

y James i. 17.

him aright, the grace which they need. Go to him as you are; confessing your multiplied offences, enumerating the aggravating circumstances with which they are attended; bewailing your folly, the hardness of your hearts, and the sinfulness of your conduct. Take your places in the dust; be abased before God, and cry mightily to him for mercy. Continue instant in your prayers, never ceasing till you find the Lord. Be not discouraged if you receive no answer; rather be animated to a more lively exercise of this duty. Realize more of its importance, and of the necessity of sincerity, earnestness, and perseverance. Remember it is God whom you address, and salvation for your souls that you seek. Hide nothing from the Lord, stating your case exactly as it is; pleading with him and representing your necessity—your misery— your poverty. Mention his invitations-his calls his promises. Remind him of his own glory; of the fulness there is in Christ, and of the triumph which grace will obtain in your salvation. Let the temper of minds be a praying one, and let your desires continually ascend to the throne of

your

grace. Retire frequently for the express purpose of calling upon God and seeking his favour.

Let your intenseness and engagedness be proportioned to the magnitude of the blessings which you seek to obtain. "Which of (6 you shall have a friend, and shall go unto “ him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, "lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine "in his journey is come to me, and I have "nothing to set before him? And he from "within shall answer and say, Trouble me "not the door is now shut, and my chil"dren are with me in bed; I cannot rise "and give thee. I say unto you, Though he "will not rise and give him, because he is "his friend, yet because of his importunity “he will rise and give him as many as he "needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, " and it shall be given you; seek, and ye "shall find; knock, and it shall be opened "unto you. For every one that asketh,

"receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth ; "and to him that knocketh, it shall be

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opened. If a son shall ask bread of any "of you that is a father, will he give him a "stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a

"fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask "an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give

good gifts unto your children; how much "more shall your heavenly Father give the "Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."

Such are the directions and encouragements which Jesus Christ himself has given unto us on this subject. Reduce these directions as well as those which relate to the other means of grace, to daily and habitual practice. Act upon these ample and these animating encouragements. Be in earnest in what you do, and see that your hearts are right with God. Use every means with that seriousness and engagedness which befit all the institutions of God.

3. Seek the Lord under the deepest impressions of your awful apostacy from him.

Sin is not a trifle; it is a malignant evil. God hath pronounced it an accursed thing. This corrupts the powers of your bodies, and the faculties of your souls. Your hearts are affected by it as well as your lives. It pre

y Luke xi. 5-13.

z James i. 6.