The Almost Christian Discovered; Or, The False Professor Tried

high character for a choice people, one would think! See how far these
went! If God had not said they were rotten and unsound, we would have
ranked them among the worthies. Observe,
1. They seek God. Now this is the proper character of a true saint—to
seek God. True saints are called, "seekers of God." "This is the generation
of those who seek him, who seek your face." There a generation of those
who seek God; and are not these the saints of God? Nay, farther,
2. They seek him daily. Here is diligence backed with continuance, day
by day; that is, every day, from day to day. They did not seek him by fits
and starts, nor in a time of trouble and affliction only, as many do.
"Lord, in trouble have they sought you; they poured out a prayer when
your chastening was upon them." Many, when God visits them—then
they visit him—but not until then! When God pours out his afflictions—
then they pour out their supplications. This is seamen's devotion! When the
storms have brought them to "their wits' end—then they cry to the Lord
in their trouble." Many never cry to God, until they are at their wits' end;
they never come to God for help, so long as they can help themselves.
But these here, whom God speaks of, are more zealous in their
devotion; the others make a virtue of necessity—but these seem to
make conscience of duty; for, says God, "they seek me day after day."
Sure this is, one would think, a note of sincerity! Job says of the
hypocrite, "Will he always call upon God?" Surely not! But this people
call upon God always, "they seek him day after day;" certainly these are
no hypocrites!
3. Says God, "They delight to know my ways." Sure this frees them from
the suspicion of hypocrisy! They do not say not unto God, "Depart from
us; we desire not the knowledge of your ways."
24 of 28