off far from God, (for they at present have no need thereof that
are near) then improve this advantage at the throne of grace for
such, that they may come to God again. Thirdly, As there is a breadth
and length here, so there is a DEPTH. What is the breadth, and
length, and depth? And this depth is also put in here, on purpose
to help us under a trial that is diverse from the two former. I
told you, that by the breadth the Apostle insinuates a remedy and
succour to us, when we see our corruptions spread like a leprosy;
and by length he would shew us, that when sin has driven God's
elect to the farthest distance from him, yet his arm is long enough
to reach them, and fetch them back again.

But, I say, as we have here a breadth, and a length, so we have
also a depth. That ye may know what is the DEPTH. Christians have
sometimes their sinking fits, and are as if they were always
descending: or as Heman says, "counted with them that go down into
the pit" (Psa 88:4). Now guilt is not to such so much a wind and
a tempest, as a load and burden. The devil, and sin, and the curse
of the law, and death, are gotten upon the shoulders of this poor
man, and are treading of him down, that he may sink into, and be
swallowed up of his miry place.

"I sink," says David, "in deep mire, where there is no standing.
I am come into DEEP waters, where the floods overflow me" (Psa
69:2). Yea, there is nothing more common among the saints of old,
than this complaint: "Let neither the water flood overflow me,
neither let the deep swallow me up, neither let the pit shut her
mouth upon me" (Psa 69:14,15). Heman also saith, "Thou hast laid
me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth
hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves" (Psa