A. 3. Discomposedness of spirit cannot stand with quiet submission to God's will. When a man saith, I am so encompassed with trouble, that I know not how to get out; head and heart are so taken up, that a j)erson is not fit to pray. Wlien the strings of a lute are snarled, the lute can make no good music : so, when a Christian's spirits are perplexed and disturbed, he cannot make melody in his heart to the Lord. To be under a discomposure of mind, is as when an army is routed, one runs this way, and another that, the army is put into dis- order : so when a Christian is in an hurry of mind his thoughts run up and down dis- tracted, as if he were undone, — this cannot stand with patient submission to God's will. A. 4. Self apology cannot stand with submission to God's will ; instead of being
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OF THE THIRD PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
liuml)led under God's hand, a person justi- fies liimself. A proud sinner stands upon liis own defence, and is ready to accuse God of unrighteousness^ which is, as if we should tax the sun with darkness ; tliis is far from submission to God's will. God smote Jonah's gourd, and he stands upon his own vindication, Jonah iv. 9., " I do well to be angry even unto death." What, to be angry with God, and to justify this ! " I do well to be angry !" This was strange to come from a prophet, and was far from this prayer Christ hath taught us, " Thy will be done."
Quest. 4. IVhat this patient submission to God's ivill is ?
Ans. It is a gracious frame of soul, where- by a Christian is content to be at God's dis- posal, and doth acquiesce in his wisdom, 1 Sam. iii. 18., " It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good;" Acts xxi. 14., « The will of the Lord be done." That I may further illustrate this, I shall show you wherein this submission to the will of God lies. It lies chiefly in three things.
(1.) In acknowledging God's hand : see- ing God in the affliction, Job v. 6., " Afflic- tion cometh not forth of the dust ;" it comes not by chance. Job did eye God in all that befel him. Job i. 21., "The Lord hath ta- ken away." He com])lains not of the Chal- deans, or the influence of the planets ; he looks beyond second causes, he sees God in the affliction, " The Lord hath taken a- way." There can be no submission to God's will, till there be an acknowledging of God's hand.
(2.) Patient submission to God's will lies in our justifying of God, Ps. xxii. 2., O my God, I cry unto thee, yet thou hear- est not, thou turncst a deaf ear to me in my affliction ; v. 3,, " But thou art holy." God is holy and just, not only when he pu- nisheth the wicked, but when he afflicts the righteous. Though God ])ut worm- v/ood in our cup, yet we vindicate God, and proclaim his righteousness. As INIau- ritius the emperor, when he saw his son slain before his eyes,— Justus es, Domine, — righteous art thou, O Lord, in all thy ways. We justify God, and confess he punisli- eth us less than we deserve, Ezra ix. 13. (3.) Patient submission to God's will
lies in the accepting of the punishment, Lev. xxvi. 41., " And they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity." Accept- ing the punishment : that is, taking all that God doth in good part. He who accepts of the punishment, saith, " good is the rod of the Lord;" he kisseth the rod, yea, blesseth God that he would use such a merciful se- verity, rather to afflict him than to lose him. This is patient submission to God's will. This patient submission to God's will in affliction shews a great deal of wisdom and piety. The skill of a pilot is most discern- ed in a storm, and a Christian's grace in the storm of affliction ; and indeed this sub- mission to God's will is most requisite for us while we live here in this lower remon. In heaven there will be no need of patience more than there is need of the star-lisht when the sun shines. In heaven there will be all joy, and what need of patience then .'' It requires no patience to wear a crown of gold ; but while we live here in a valley of tears, there needs patient submission to God's will, Heb. x. 3()., " Ye have need of patience."
1. The Lord sometimes lays heavy afflic- tion upon us, Ps. xxxviii. 2., " Thy hand presseth me sore." The word in the origi- nal for afflicted signifies to be melted. God sometimes melts his people in a furnace.
2. God sometia es lays divers afflictions upon us : Job ix. 17., " He multiplies my wound." God shoots divers sorts of ar- rows.