God will make good his word to you, sooner or later, — in one time or other, — in one way or other; in the best time, in the best way, in the appointed time ; the vision sliall speak, and shall not lie; Ilab. ii. 3., " Though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come, and will not tarry." At least, at the end of the days, when you shall stand in your lot, when you shall be gotten on the banks of Canaan, and shall thence look back on the promises and providences of God, you shall see and say, God is faith- ful, there hath not failed one word, of all that he hath promised. Now I understand, though once I could not, how every wheel was turning, every instrument was moving, every event was working towards my good and everlasting welfare.
2. Let not your expectation cause an abortion. Let not your looking for mercy hinder the working of your affliction. It is not seldom — and the Lord grant it be not too common a case — that our door of hope becomes a door of sin. We do not set ourselves with that seriousness to hum- ble, to purge ourselves from our iniquities, as we would do, did we apprehend our case more desperate ; our fears and our sorrows have not their kindly work upon us, our hope hinders it. We might have been more broken-hearted, had it not been for our hopes of building up ; as it is with a person who conceives himself to be dying, he then falls to praying and repenting, and setting his heart in order, because he must die ; but upon a little hope of recovery, — he lay* by his dying thoughts and preparations.
Christians, whenever you are under af- flictions, take heed that your expectation of deliverance to be near put it not so much the farther off. Watch narrowly over yourselves, and look diligently to it, that your hope of redemption do not harden your hearts, nor hinder your humiliation and repentance. Hope in God, and wait for the promise of his coming; but know, that till the rod hatli d<»no its work, it is not like in mercy to he laid by ; and it is bet- ter to be continued in the furnace, than to be brought forth with your dross unpurged away.
By the way, learn hence two things.
L Rejoice in this promise of God. Hath
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SELECT SERMONS.
tlie Lord put in thy name here : let thine heart say, it is enough. Be more joyful in tliis, tliat God hath thus undertaken tlie care of thee, than if God had Avholly put thee to thine own hand, — giving thee power to lielp, and liberty to choose for thyself. In what wilt thou rejoice, if not in this, that the whole creation is engaged to do thee a kindness, to help thee into the posses- sion of thy God ? Thou mayest now not on- ly submit to, but thankfully embrace every providence, knowing up(m what errand it comes to thee ; for good, and not for hurt. Thou mayest now triumph, not only in the consternations, but in the triumphs of thine enemies. Whether they ride over thy back, or thou tread upon their neck, 'tis all one, the issue will be the same. Thy troubles and thy consolations differ only in their countenance : with whatever grim face thy afflictions look, there are smiles under : learn to see through them, and thou mayest see light on the farther side. Believe this word, thou mayest read it written upon every thing that befalls thee : there's no messenger that comes, but brings this promise in his hand, ' Even this shall work for good.' Read it, and rejoice.
2. Lay thyself down quietly under it. No more perplexing or distracting cares, what shall become of thee, — no more un- warrantable shifting for thyself, — let God alone. Shift not for thyself, lest God leave thee to thine own shifts. Let not the vio- lence of evil men disturb thy peace, or pro- voke thee to unpeaceableness. Whatever provocations thou mayest have, avenge not thyself, neither give place unto wrath, mur- muring, or fears. In thy patience possess thy soul, thy God, and his good word ; thy strength is to sit still. Stand still and see the salvation of God ; thou hast nothing to do but to be holy ; let that be thine only care ; thy God will sec to it thou shalt be happy; he is faithful that hath promised. Love God, and leave thyself and thy whole interest in this blessed word, " All things shall work to thee for good."
By this time you see something of the ^•iches of this promise. God is in the pro- mise,— the God of peace, the God of power, the God of patience, the God of hope, the }ieart of God, the help of God, the presence