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24 Lord’s free mercy, that he hath given it. Ezek. xxxvi. 22. ‘I do not this for your sake, O house 'of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake.’

Secondly, Improve it, by being thereby the more stirred up to your duty, Psalm cxvi. ‘Because I hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will call upon as long as I live.’ Hath he hear your prayers in this? then be more in prayer, and be more single in prayer, and all other duties than ever heretofore.

Thirdly, Improve it, by loving the Lord him self, who hath granted you it, Psal. cxvi. ‘I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and supplication.’

Fourthly, Improve it, by separating yourselves more from the abominations of the time, by making clean hearts and clean hands, Psalm vi. 5. 'Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, the Lord hath heard the voice of my supplication.’

Fifthly, Improve it, by having a high and becoming esteem of the ordinance, yet keeping it in its own room, and not resting upon it, but seeking unto the Lord himself, Amos v. 4. 'Seek ye men and ye shall live, but seek not to Bethel.’

Sixthly, Improve it, by answering his call therein, and let not the Lord have it to say of you, that after long and many refusals, ‘Yet I came and stretched forth my wings, and would have gathered you, as a hen gathereth her chickens, but ye would not.’ O! let him not have that to say 'Come away, come away, enter into your chambers, and shut your door about you, and hide yourselves as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over-past.’