Page:Duty of redeeming the time in evil days, illustrated and enforced.pdf/13

Rh is upon all the multitude thereof. For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return: neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life. They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready, but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof." There is a danger of straying both to the right and left hand in this time of the Lord's anger And if the Lord do not pity, there may be frightful monuments of the Lord's anger on both hands, giving up men to strong delusions.

(4.) Give yourselves solemnly a way to Christ, to be by him carried safely through the wilderness in the dark and cloudy day. Say with the prophet, "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation, my God will hear me," Micah vii. 7. In consideration of your danger, take him anew for your guide and leader, saying with the spouse, Cant. i. 7. “Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth: aside by the flocks of thy companions?" Our own wisdom is not to be trusted at any time, especially when the days are evil. Now when you see the mist arising, take fast told of him; when you see the storm a-coming, chuse him for your pilot, and commit yourselves to his conduct through the waves.

(5.) Keep up habitually a holy jealousy over yourselves, and confidence in the promise of direction, and a conscientious believing use of the means of his appointment. That holy jealousy is necessary in respect of the snares in the evil day, and the corruption of our hearts so ready to entangle us in them. "He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool," Prov. xxviii. 26. The promises are many on which faith is to be exercised; as, "The meek will he guide in judgment and the meek will he teach his way." Psalm xxv. 9. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye," Psalm xxxii. 8. "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left," Isa. xxx. 21. And you must use the means in confidence of