The first use is to persuade us to trust in God upon his word. I will direct you —
1. As to the means.
2. The nature of this trust.
1. As to the means. If you would do so —
[1.] Know him: Ps. ix. 10, ' They that know thy name will put their trust in thee.' If God were better known, he would be better trusted : 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have believed.'
[2.] Get a covenant interest in him. If our interest be clouded, how can we put promises in suit ? But wdien it is clear, you may draw comfortable conclusions thence : Ps. xxxi. 14, ' I trusted in thee, 0 Lord ; I said, Thou art my God ; ' Ps. xxiii. 1, ' The Lord is my shep- herd, I shall not want ; ' he will provide for his own : Lam. iii. 24, ' The Lord is my portion, saith my soul ; therefore will I hope in him.'
[3.] Walk closely with him: Micah iii. 11, 'The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the pro- phets thereof divine for money ; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us ? None evil shall come upon us.' God will shake them as Paul did the viper. Shame, fear, and doubts do always follow sin. Will a man trust hiin whom he hath provoked ? Doubts are the fumes of sin, like vapours that come from off a foul stomach. If we mean to make good and keep a friend, we will be careful to please him. A good conversation breedeth a good conscience, and a good conscience trust in God.
[4.] Observe experiences, when lie maketh good his word : Ps. xviii. 30, ' As for God, his way is perfect ; the word of the Lord is tried ; he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.' All these providences are confirmations that feed and nourish faith: Ps. Ivi. 10, 11, 'In God will I praise his word ; in the Lord will I praise his word : in God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.'
2. As to the nature of this trust. Let me commend to you —
[1.] The adventure of faith: Luke v. 5, 'At thy word we will let down the net.' At thy command; when we cannot apply the promise, venture for the command's sake ; see what God will do for you, and what believing comes to.
[2.] The waiting of faith, when expectation is not answered, and you find not at first what you wait for ; yet do not give God the lie, but resolve to keep the promise as a pawn till the blessing promised cometh : Isa. xxviii. IG, 'He that believeth maketh not haste.' It is carnal affection must have present satisfaction : greedy and impatient
YeR. 42.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 455
longings argue a disease. Kevenge must have it by and by ; covetous- ness waxetli rich in a day ; ambition wouUi rise presently ; lusts are earnest and ravenous ; like diseased stomachs, must have green trash.
[3.] The obstinacy and resolution of faith. Eesolve to die holding the horns of the altar; you will not be put off; as she cried so much the more, and the woman of Canaan turned discouragements into arguments : Job xiii. 15, ' Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.'
[4.] The submission and resignation of faith : Mat. vi. 33, ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the righteousnei5s thereof, and all these things shall be added to you.' Set your hearts upon the highest in- terest, make sure of heaven, and refer other things to God ; be at a point of indifferency for temporal supplies.
[5.] The prudence of faith. Settle your mind against present neces- sities, and for future contingencies leave them to God's providence : Mat. vi. 34, ' Sufficient for each day is the evil thereof.' Children, that have to allay present hunger, do not cark how to bring the year about; they leave that to their father. IManna was to be gathered daily ; when it was kept till the morning, it putrified.
[6.] The obedience of faith. Mind duty, and let God take care of success. Let God alone with the issues of things, otherwise we take the work out of his hands. A Christian's care should be what he should be, not what shall become of him : Phil. iv. 6, * Be careful for nothing ; ' and 1 Peter v. 7, ' But cast your care on him, for he careth for you.' There is a care of duties and a care of events. God is more solicitous for you than you for yourselves.
Use 2. Do we thus trust in the Lord t All will pretend to trust in God, but there is little of this true trusting in him in the world.
1. If we trust God we shall be often with him in prayer, Ps. Ixii. S, ' Trust in the Lord at all times ; pour out your hearts before him ;' 2 Sam. xxii. 2-4, ' The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, the God of my rock ; in him will I trust ; he is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour ; thou savest me from violence ; I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised ; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.' We act our trust at the throne of grace ; encourage ourselves in God.