your trespasses?" We cannot speak too highly of this heavenly virtue. Its advantages are endless. An amiable female writer calls "the economy of the heart: we shall find it cheaper to pardon than to resent: forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits." It is adapted to produce the most beneficial effects; before its benign influence, the feuds and bickerings of families cease; the jars and quarrels of neighbours subside: it softens hatred into love, and transforms enemies into friends. It exalts man to a near resemblance of his Maker, who is "kind to the unthankful and the evil;" who delights to "have mercy and to forgive." Whatever, therefore, be the conduct of others towards you, let no worse feeling be cherished in your breast, let no harsher senti ment proceed from your lips, than "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

IT hath been remarked, that good men, who have

excelled in a particular virtue, have sometimes lamentably failed in its exercise. Moses excelled in meekness, but he could be angry; Peter surpassed the rest of the Apostles in courage, but he acted as a coward; Job was an eminent example of patience, but we observe the occasional fretfulness of his temper;-so imperfect are the best of men, and so entire is the dependence of all on the grace of

God!

The text refers to a season of heavy affliction. The spirit of Job was oppressed: his mind was harrassed; it was full of confusion; and we wonder not that his language betrays the perplexity which he felt. The chapter, begins thus: My soul is weary of my life, I will leave my complaint on myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul:”and what does he say? Does he repine at the severity of his trials? Does he reproach the error and harshness of his friends? Does he charge God

foolishly? No! grace prevails over the infirmity of nature, and we behold a pleasing transition to what is perfectly correct: "I will say unto God, Do not condemn me: shew me wherefore thou contendest with me."

We observe, three things-A good man has conVERSE WITH GOD. In this converse, he DEPRECATES AN EVIL and he SOLICITS A FAVOUR.

I. A good man has CONVERSE with God. In all circumstances, whether of ease or pain, of health or sickness, he thinks of his God, and highly estimates communion with him. In adversity, this is particularly the case. "Is any afflicted? let him pray." A man of God feels impelled to pray; he finds a relief, a refuge in the exercise which endears it to his heart, and makes it a delight :-he resolves: "I will say unto God."

we

In affliction, we speak to ourselves. It is right that we commune with our own hearts, that we inquire diligently into their state in the sight of God, and into the temper and prevailing disposition of the mind, In affliction we speak also to our friends; we tell them our feelings and our wants; ask their advice, their sympathy, and help; we talk with them, or should do so, of our supports, encouragements, and comforts: but our highest privilege, our best employment, is converse with God." "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ"-" Through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." And in our approaches to him he permits us to say whatever interests our minds, to express the inmost feelings of our hearts, to unbosom all our griefs and cares, to breathe our desires freely, to plead fervently, to "order our cause before him, and, to fill our mouth with arguments."

That man is an object of pity, who, in affliction,

has no knowledge of God, no fellowship with him; and, alas! this is the case with thousands; perhaps it is the gloomy condition of some of you. In adversity, you are not destitute of earthly friends: you have their society and assistance; but it is not much they can do for you. In numberless trials, " vain is the help of man," while "happy is he who hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God!"-You that are "dead in sins" have no communion with heaven: you have nothing to say unto God;" your heart is alienated from him; you desire not the knowledge of his ways, nor the blessings of his grace. Unhappy men!" Without God in the world," you are without hope," and the end will be darkness, death, and despair. "Seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near." Listen to the counsel given to this afflicted patriarch, and beg for grace to comply with it. Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee,"

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II. In his converse with God, a good man DEPRECATES AN EVIL: Do not condemn me.”

Job refers probably to the sentiment of his friends concerning him. They mistook his character: they thought him a deceiver, and that his calamities were the recompense of his sin: on this supposition they condemned him, but he appeals to his God;" Do not thou condemn me.'

Whatever Job advances in vindication of his character against the aspersions of men, he doubtless had very low views of himself in the sight of God. Mark his words:How should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, she cannot answer him one of a thousand." He applies this to his own case: "If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me if I say I am perfect,

it shall prove me perverse." And in language still more abasing: "Behold! I am vile: what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth." "Now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes*." It is evident that Job was convinced of personal sinfulness, and of his desert on account of sin; but he wisely and earnestly pleads" Do not condemn me."

And this applies to ourselves. Do we merit condem nation from God? Yes, as sure as that we are sinners; as certainly as that we have transgressed his holy law, and rebelled against his righteous government. And what shall we plead in arrest of judgment? Not mere mercy; for mercy must be exercised in harmony with all the perfections of God: mercy is not shewn to transgressors, but in strict agreement with holiness, justice, and truth. We plead, therefore, the mediation of Jesus Christ: we make mention of his wonderful interposition on behalf of ruined man: our faith regards his perfect righteousness, his atoning sacrifice, his triumphant resurrection, his powerful intercession, his all-sufficient grace: "Thanks

be to God for his unspeakable gift!" What say the Scriptures? "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:" but we are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesust.

Dwell on the glorious import of such declarations as these; they are revealed to your faith; they give encouragement to hope, and energy to prayer. "Say unto God, Do not condemn me;" but, that condem

* Job. ix, 2, 3, 20; xl. 4; xli. 5, 6.

† Rom. iii, 23–26.