Exodus 33:23

REFLECTIONS

My soul! think, seriously think, in the view of the Lord's withdrawing the symbols of his divine presence from Israel, how truly awful must that state of the soul be, from whom the Lord hides his face, and taketh away the influences of his Holy Spirit. How will the heart grow hardened, and the conscience become stupid and secure, through the deceitfulness of sin, if God restrains his grace, and remits the awakening calls of his love. Blessed God! I would say with thy servant of old, Take not, O take not, thine Holy Spirit from me! Whatever beside thou art pleased to recall, (for all thy mercies are but lent, not absolutely given), though thou takest my strength, my health, my property, my children, nay all my comforts, take not, O take not thine Holy Spirit from me!

Teach me, Lord, also, in this history of thy church before me, to see the sweet effects of returning grace. Here I behold how God inclines the hearts of his people to pray: and how preventing mercy even outruns their petitions. Thus, Lord, let thy grace descend upon me. Carry me not up hence, not even from a wilderness, to Canaan, except thy presence go with me. Dearest Jesus! every place is Canaan with thee; and without thee heaven itself would be no heaven to my soul. Place me in the clefts of the rock, even in thy wounded side, dearest Redeemer; and in thee, and thy complete salvation, shall I behold thy glory, even all the goodness of my God passing before me.