seek him in his holy word, where he has revealed himself as the Lord God, merciful and gracious; seek him at his throne of grace, where, for this thing he will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." Seek him in his house of prayer, where often he reveals his power and glory,* and where his people have often had reason to say, "It is good for us to be here." Seek him in a course of humble obedience, while engaged in the ordinary duties of life. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. In the family, the market, the shop, as well as in the closet and the sanctuary, act as the servants of God, who seek his approbation, and expect to be called to account by him. Seek an acquaintance with God by cultivating an acquaintance with yourselves. "Commune with your own heart, and be still." He who is a stranger to his own heart, cannot know much of God. God is pleased to dwell in a heart that is constantly searched and examined; for such an one will be likely to be an humble and contrite heart, in which he so much delights. Time and strength would fail me should I attempt to enumerate the unspeakable advantages that arise from acquaintance with God. Shall I glance at a few of the most obvious? "Thereby (says our text,) good shall come unto thee." God shall come unto thee; come into covenant and communion with thee, and bring with him all the good thine heart can desire: temporal good; for "godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come... When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose ... Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways: for he shall eat the labour of his hands; happy shall he be, and it shall be well with him... The Lord is his keeper, the Lord is his shade upon his right hand; the Lord shall preserve him from all evil... He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; there shall no evil befal him, neither shall any plague come nigh his dwelling." "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him," saith the Lord; "I will set him on high because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." Acquaintance with God introduces also to spiritual good. Oh! what an unspeakably good thing is it to be enabled to say to the greatest and best of beings, "O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me!" How rich the supports, how high the consolations arising from such an experience in the hour of affliction! When we are at peace with God, we may well be at peace with ourselves; not fretful and uneasy, and in confusion; but quiet, and calm, and composed. When our interests are one with those of God, and our wills brought into sweet subjection to his, how cheerfully may we resign ourselves and all our concerns into his hands, as a faithful Creator, a merciful Father, who orders all things wisely and well; and, while all around us is in commotion, we may enjoy a peace which the world can neither give nor take away. But acquaintance with God leads to eternal good. If our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, oh think what is its blessed ultimate! It is, to place us beside his throne in glory; to give us the full enjoyment of the supreme object of our love and desire; to make us completely like him, when we shall see him as he is. Blessed hope! let every one that possesses it purify himself even as he is pure! Christians, as you are brought to an acquaintance with God, what cause have you for joy and gratitude! You know him, whom to know is life eternal. God is your portion; and what can you want beside? Should all the streams of creature enjoyment be cut off, there is still enough in the fountain to make you unspeakably happy. Oh, be resigned to all the dispensations of Providence; be calm in perplexity, be composed in affliction; trust all to his hands; and learn the blessed art, to rejoice in hope, to be patient, yea, to glory in tribulation; knowing that your "light afflictions which are but for a moment, work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." But oh! my poor fellow sinner, who art still a stranger to God, still an enemy to him by wicked works; the language of whose heart is, "Depart from me, for I desire not the knowledge of thy ways! Who is the Almighty that I should serve him, and what profit shall I have if I pray unto him?" compassion to thy precious, thy immortal, thy perishing soul, constrains me to address a word to thee. Oh, while thou art ignorant of God thou canst not know any thing of happiness, any thing of safety, any thing of peace! Every moment thou art exposed to the dreadful weight of his vengeance; and thy own breast is "like the troubled sea, casting up mire and dirt;" For "there is no peace saith my God to the wicked!" Oh cease to "spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not!" and listen, ere yet it be too late, to the gracious invitations which still are proclaimed in thine ears; " Agree with thine adversary quickly, while yet thou art in the way with him... Hearken diligently unto God, hear and your soul shall live... Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, |