, if we fall into it, be a pathway to the
everlasting rock? David tells us, "Out of the deep have I cried unto
Thee, O God." He cried to God--not to himself, his own learning,
prudence, talents--to pull him out of that pit. Not to doctrines, books,
church-goings--not to the dearest earthly friend--not to his own
experiences, faith's assurances, frames and feelings. The matter was too
terrible to be plastered over in that way, or in any way. He was face to
face with God alone, and in utter weakness, in utter nakedness of soul,
_he cried to God Himself_. There was the lesson. God took away from him
all things, that he might have no one to cry to but to God.
And it shall be with every soul of man who, being in the deep, cries out
of the deep to God, as it was with Moses when he went up alone into the
Mount of God, and fasted forty days and forty nights amid the earthquake
and the thunderstorm, and the rocks which melted before the Lord. And
behold, when it was past, he talked face to face with God, as a man
talketh with his friend, and his countenance shone with heavenly light,
when he came down triumphant out of the Mount of God.
_Good News of God_--_Sermons_.
On the torturing cross Christ prayed for His murderers, "Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do." And this is the character many a
man may get in the dark deep. To feel for all, to feel with all; to
rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, to
understand people's trials and make allowances for their temptations; to
put oneself in their place till we see with their eyes, and feel with
their hearts, till we judge no man, and have hope for all; to be fair and
patient and tender with everyone we meet; to despise no one, despair of
no one, because Christ despises none and despairs of none; to look on
every one we meet with love, almost with pity, because they too may have
been down into the deep of horror, or may go down into it any day; to see
our own sins in the sins of others, to feel that we might do what they
do, and feel as they feel at any moment, did God desert us; to give and
forgive, live and let live, even as Christ gives to us and forgives us,
and lives for us and lets us live in spite of all our sins.
_Good News of God_.
Rejoice that there is a fire of God the Father whose name is Love,
burning for ever unquenchably, to destroy out of every man's heart and
out of the hearts of all nations, and of the physi
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