Cheer up then, O my soul, and lean upon this pillar of comfort in all distresses. Here is a promise for me, if I am a called one ; that, like the philosopher's stone, turns all into gold it toucheth. This promise is my security ; however things go in the world, my God " will do me no hurt," Jer. xxv. 6. Nay, he will do me good by every dispensation. " O that I had but an heart to make all things '' work for his glory, that thus causeth every thing to work for my ^' good." My God, dost thou turn every thing to my advantage ? O let me return all to thy praise; and if by every thing thou work my eternal good, then let me in every thing give thanks.
But ah ! ho# foolish and ignorant have I been? even as a beast before thee. How hath my heart been disquieted, and apt to re- pine at thy dispensations, when they have crossed my will ? not con- sidering that my God faithfully pursues my good, even in those things that cross, as well as in that which pleases me.
jbleseed Lord I What a blessed condition are all thy people in^ who
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are within' the hne of this promise ? All things friendly and benefi- cial to them; friends helpful; enemies helpful; every thing conspiring, and conducing to their happiness. With others it is not so; no- thing works for their good ; nay, every thing works against it : their very mercies are snares, and their prosperity destroys them ; Prov. i. 32. even the blessed gospel itself is a savour of death to them : when evil befals them, " it is an only evil,'' Ezek. vii. 5. that isj not turned into good to them ; and as their evils are not turned into good, so all their good is turned into evil. As this promise hath an influence into all that concerns the people of God, so the curse hath an influence into all the enjoyments of the wicked. O my soul, bless the Lord, who hath cast thy lot into such a pleasant place, and given thee such a glorious heritage, as this promise is.
f w HEN once the dog-star rises, many say, Corn ripens then apace, both night and day. Souls once in Christ, that morning-star lets fail Such influences on them, that all God"'s dispensations to them, sweet or sour. Ripen their souls for glory ev'ry hour. All their afflictions, rightly understood, Are blessings ; ev'ry v/ind will blow some good. Sure at their troubles saints would never grudge, Were sense deposed, and faith made the judge. Falls make them warier, amend their pace ; When gifts puff* up their hearts, and weaken grace. Could Satan see the issue, and th' event Of his temptations, he would scarcely tempt. Could saints but see what fruits their troubles bring. Amidst those troubles they would shout and sing. O sacred wisdom ! who can but admire To see how thou dost save from fire, by fire ! No doubt but saints in glory wondVing stand At those strange methods few now understand.
Storms make discovery of the pilofs sJcill : God's wisdom m ciffliction triumphs still.
N fair weather, when there is sea-room enough, then every com- mon person can guide the ship ; the pilot may then he down and take his rest ; but in great storms and stress of weather, or v/hen near the dangerous shore, then the most skilful pilot is put to it ; then ha
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shews tlie utmost of his art and skill, and yet sometimes all is too little. They are (as the scripture speaks) at their wifs end, know' not what to do more ; but are forced to commit all to the mercy of God and the seas.
In the storms and tempests of affliction and trouble, there are the most evident and full discoveries of the wisdom and power of our God : it is indeed continually active for his people in all condi- tions, Isa. xxvii. 8. " Lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." Psal. cxxi. 4. " He that keepeth Israel neither slumbereth nor *' sleepeth." His people's dangers are without intermission, therefore his preservations are so too. But now, when they come into the strait oi affliction and deadly dangers, which threatens like rocks on every side ; now the wisdom of their God rides triumphantly and visibly upon the waves of that stormy sea : and this infinite wisdom is then especially discovered in these particulars.
1. In leaving them still somewhat in the lieu and room of those comforts that they are deprived of; so that they see God doth ex- change their comforts, and that for the better ; and this supports them. So John xiv. 1, 2, 3. Christ's bodily presence is removed, but the Spirit was sent in the room of it, which was better.
% In doubling their strength, as he doubles their burdens. It is observed that the saints have many times very strong and sweet conso- lation, a little before their greatest trials : and this is so ordinary, that commonly when they have had their extraordinary consolations from God, they have then looked for some eminent trial. The Xord appeared to Abraham, and sealed the covenant to him, and then put him upon that great trial of his faith. So the disciples, Luke xxiv. 49. it was commanded them that they should " tarry in *' Jerusalem till they were endowed with power from on high."" The Lord knew what a hard providence they were like to have, and wliat great oppositions and difficulties they must encounter in publishing the everlasting gospel to the world ; and therefore first prepares and endows them with power from on high, viz. with eminent measures of the gifts and graces of the Spirit ; as faith, patience, self-denial, &c. So Paul had first his revelations, then his buffetings.
3. In coming in so opportunely in the time of their great distress, with relief and comfort, 1 Pet. iv. 14. " Then the Spirit of glory '« and of God resteth on them." As that martyr cried out to his friend Austin, at the very stake. He is come, he is come.
4. In appointing and ordering the several kinds of afflictions to se- veral saints ; and allotting to every one that very affliction, and no other, which is most suitable to his condition : which afflictions, like so many potions of physic, are prepared for that very malignant hu- mour that predominates most in them. Peter's sin was self-confi- dence, God permits him to fall by denying Christ ; which doubtless
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was sanctified to his good in that particular. Hezekiah's sin was vain-glory, therefore spoilers are sent to take away his treasures.
5. In the duration of their troubles, they shall not lie always upon them, Ps. cxxv. 3. Our God is a God of judgment, Is. xxx. 18. Knows the due time of removing it, and is therein punctual to a day, Rev. ii.