Malachi 3:7

Oh! what a charge is here, after contemplating the unchangeable nature of our covenant God in Christ, as in the preceding verse to consider our sad departure from the Lord. Reader! do not confine this view to Israel of old, but look at Israel now. How are we gone away from the Lord, as a nation, as a people? Time was, when the blessed and holy doctrines of our holy faith were cherished in this nation, by all ranks and orders of the people. When the distinguishing truths of the Gospel, such as the everlasting covenant love of God the Father, the atoning blood and justifying righteousness of God the Son; and the quickening, converting, comforting influences of God the Holy Ghost, were heard, preached on, and received with joy and thankfulness, both by ministers and people. But how are we gone away? We may now take up the language of the Prophet, and say, how is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! Lamentations 4:1. Oh! that He, who saith return unto me, would graciously accompany the invitation with his power, and cause the hearts of the people, as the heart of one man, to return to the Lord, that our land might again be called Hephzibah, and Beulah. Isaiah 62:4.