Christ's second appearing to change the Bodies
of his Saints.

For our conversation is in heaven, &c.-Phil. iii.

20, 21.

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220

THE

PULPIT ASSISTANT.

MEN'S NEGLECT OF GOD.

But none saith, Where is God my Maker, who giveth in the night? Job xxv. 10.

songs

We have an infinitely greater interest in God than we can have in all the creation, yet are we less conversant with him, than we are with those objects which daily present themselves to us. Happy were it, if devotion were more in fashion, and other things less; fortunate for the present age if it could be said, that Elibu's complaint is not applicable to it. "None saith, Where is God my Maker?" &e.

Consider,

I. What is meant by inquiring after God our Maker.

1. When we investigate the important question, Is there a Deity? what notions are we to form of his nature, perfections, and providence?

2. When we apply to him in the exercise of religious duty, particularly prayer. Job viii. 5; Isa. Iv. 6.

3. When we are solicitous to discover his will concerning our duty, and privilege, as moral and reasonable beings. Rom. xii. 2; 1 Thes. iv. 3.

4. When we earnestly pant, after his approbation.

and give ourselves no rest till we obtain it, through repentance for sin, and faith in the atonement of the Son of God. Rom. iii. 25, 26.

5. When we thirst after that better country, where God is enjoyed, and where our inquiries after him shall meet with ample success. There we shall have the justest, and the brightest ideas of him, the most glorious resemblance of his holy and benevolent nature. 1 John iii. 2.

II. Why is it, that so few are making this inquiry?"

1. Because mankind are so much engaged about visible things; these strike the senses more than things of a spiritual and invisible nature; and seem to be the only things which command their attention. 2. Dissipation; they have no taste, but for play and amusement, one scene of diversion after another; the hours which should be spent in intercourse with heaven, are prostituted to folly, vanity, and idleness.

3. They make a God of this world, by placing their affections supremely upon it (James iv. 4.); its gold and silver, honour, fame, power, dominion, popular applause.

4. They are sensual, making a God of pleasure, sensuality, lascivious gratifications; how can a soul, thus fettered to earth, elevate itself to inquire after God its Maker! no more than a bird can ascend without wings.

5. Some live so criminally, that God is the object of their dread: they wish there was no God, are glad to hear religion opposed, would be happy to hear its truths confuted, if they could; they would obliterate the doctrine of providence, and the soul's immortality.

III. Consider the amiable account here given of God," he giveth songs in the night;" or matter of songs, &c.

1. By exhibiting those bright orbs which fill the expanse of heaven. Ps. viii. 3, 4.

2. Night may be taken figuratively. Day is put for prosperity, success, joy, and comfort. Night for adversity, calamity, grief, and vexation. God cheereth the mourner's heart, and solaceth his people in the night of adversity, grants support, unexpected relief. Ps. lxvi. 19.

3. He giveth songs in the night of death, of praise and thanksgiving, of victory. 1 Cor. xv. 55; iv.

7.

Improvement.

1. Let us rejoice in him, who lifteth up the hands that hang down, and giveth songs of praise in adversity.

2. Let us adore the wisdom of providence, in whose dispensations day and night, good and evil, are so seasonably blended, enjoy the good thankfully, suffer the evil with resignation.

3. Let us fortify ourselves under every calamity by looking forward to that blessed period, when the good man's night shall be changed into everlasting day.