2. It argueth somewhat of the spirit of adoption to put in the bill of our complaint to our heavenly father, to draw up an indictment against ourselves. To judge, that is irksome; but to put in a bill of complaint to a friend, or father, that savours of more ingenuity. To tell God all our mind notes freedom and familiarity ; not such as is bold, rude, nor a dress of words ; but such as is grave, serious, pro- ceeding from an inward sense of God, and hope of his mercy: 1 John iii. 21, ' If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God ; ' then we can deal with him as one friend with another, and acquaint him with all our griefs and wants. A man had need walk exactly that would maintain his freedom with God. There is a freedom, as men may call it, such as is bold, rude, and reckless, in words only ; but that which proceeds from confidence in God and his mercy, that is a fruit of close walking ; wo cannot have it in our hearts without it.
3. It is the way to make us serious and affected with our condition.
248 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XXVII.
When we open our whole lieart to God, then we shall he more earnest for a remedy ; we content om-selves with some transient glances, and imperfect knowledge of our estate, and so are not affected as we should; a particular view of things ]5iost works with us. Look, as Christ, the more particularly he is set forth, the more taking is the ohject ; when the lump of sweetness is dissolved, then it is tasted. The more particularly we pry into our estate, the more we are affected, and the more we shall see of the deceitfulness of our own hearts : ' When every one shall know his own sore and grief,' 2 Chron. vi. 29.
4. It will be of great advantage in the spiritual life to declare often our whole estate to God ; for the more men know themselves the more they mind God and their heavenly calling. Those men that make conscience of declaring themselves to God will ever find lusts to be mortified, doubts to be resolved, graces to be strengthened. A man that doth not look after his estate, it runs into decay insensibly before he is aware ; so when men grow negligent of their hearts, and never think of giving an account to God, all runs to waste in the soul. Searching and self-examining Christians will be the most serious Christians; for as they have a more distinct affective sense of their condition, so they always find more work to do in the spiritual life. They come to know what are their sins, and assaults, and conflicts, and what further strength they may have in the way of holiness ; and by this account they are engaged to walk more exactly, that they may not provide matter against themselves : 1 Peter iii. 7, ' That their prayers be not hindered ; ' that they may look God in the face with more confidence.
Use 1. Let us clearly and openly declare our condition to the Lord, our griefs and sorrows, and so our sins.
1. Our griefs and sorrows. Two things will quicken you to this : — The inconvenience of any other way. What will you do ? If you swallow your griefs, that will oppress the heart. The more we unbosom ourselves to a friend, the more we find ease ; vent and utterance doth lessen our passion. An oven stopped up is hotter within. So the more close we are, the more we keep our own counsel, the greater is our burden. Look, as wind when it is imprisoned in the caverns of the earth causetli violent convulsions and earthquakes, but if it find vent all is quiet, so it is with the heart ; when troubles are kept close, then they become the greater burden, they make the heart stormy, full of discontent ; but when we open ourselves, as Hannah did her case to God, 1 Sam. i. 8, we are no more sad ; or if we go to anything on this side God, our troubles increase. When a man hath sorrow upon his lieart, it is not the next ditch will yield him refreshing and comfort, but he must go to the fountain of living water. If we be afraid of an enemy without, our business is to strike in with God : Prov. xvi. 7, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.' God hath the command of all things; he is first to be treated with, then there is hope and relief in God. When we are humble and tractable in our affliction, when we come and represent our case to him, the very thing gives us some hope ; for the Lord doth all out of mercy. Therefore the very repre- senting our misery, as David: Ps. Ixix. 29, 'But I am poor and
VeR. 26.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 249
sorrowful ; ' that we are in a miserable forlorn condition ; if you have nothing else to plead, this is that which moves God, and works upon his bowels. Look, as beggars to move pity .will uncover their sores, that as it were by a silent oratory they may extort and draw forth relief from you ; so go to the Lord and acquaint him with your condi- tion ; some hope will arise hence. Lord, I am weak and poor, deliver me ; that is all the argument.