w
can we think of such a Fountain-Being, but we must withal acknowledge
ourselves to be shadows of his goodness, and that we owe to him what we
are, and so consecrate and dedicate ourselves to his glory! How can we
consider such a Self-Being, Independent, and Creating Goodness, but we
must have some desire to cleave to him, and some confidence to trust in
him! Now, this is to know him.

When we think on his unchangeableness, let us consider our own vanity,
whose glory and perfection is like a summer flower, or like a vapour
ascending for a little time, whose best estate is altogether vanity. Our
purposes are soon broken off, and made of none effect, our resolutions
change. This is a character of mortality, we are not always alike. _Non
sibi constare, nec ubique et semper sibi parem eundemque esse._ To be now
one thing, and then another thing, is a properly of sinful and wretched
man. Therefore let us "cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils,"
and "trust not in princes" who shall die, far less in ourselves who are
less than the least of men, but let us put our trust in God, "who changeth
not," and we shall not be consumed,--our waters shall not fail,--we shall
never be ashamed of any hope we have in him. There is nothing else you
trust in, but undoubtedly it shall prove your shame and confusion.
Whatever you hear or know of God, know that it is vain and empty, unless
it descend down into the heart to fashion it to his fear and love, and
extend unto the outward man to conform it to obedience, you are but "vain
in your imaginations, and your foolish hearts are darkened" while "when
you know God" you glorify him not as God. If that be not the fruit and end
of knowledge, that knowledge shall be worse to thee than ignorance, for it
both brings on judicial hardening here, and will be thy solemn accuser and
witness against thee hereafter, Rom. i. 21-24. The knowledge of Jesus
Christ truly so called, is neither barren nor unfruitful for out of its
root and sap spring humility, self-abasing confidence in God, patience in
tribulations, meekness in provocations, temperance and sobriety in lawful
things &c. 2 Pet. i. 5-8.

Lecture IX.

What God Is To Us.

Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7.--"The lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious,
long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy
for thousands."

There is nothing can separate between God and a people but iniqui