VeR. 62.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 167
2 Cor. i. 9, 10, ' We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we shoukl not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver ; in whom we trust, that he will yet deliver us.' Consider the end and fruit of his mercy ; it is to manifest his special love to us, and engage our hearts to himself : Isa. xxxviii. 17, ' Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption,' or ' thou hast loved me from the grave;' otherwise God may give things in anger. Consider the means by which he brought them about, when unlikely, unexpected in themselves, weak, insufficient. The greatest matters of providence hang many times upon small wires : a lie brought Joseph into prison, and a dream fetched him out, and he was advanced, and Jacob's family fed. Con- sider the number of his mercies : Ps. cxxxix. 17, ' How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, 0 God ! how great is the sum of them ! * The many failings pardoned, comforts received, dangers prevented, deliverances vouchsafed. How he began with us before all time, con- ducted us in time, and hath been preparing for us a happiness which we shall enjoy when time shall be no more.
[2.] Satisfy yourselves with no praise and thanksgiving but what leaveth the impression of real effects upon the soul ; for God is not flattered with empty praises and a little verbal commendation. There is a twofold praising of God — by expressive declaration or by objective impression. Now, neither expression nor impression must be excluded. Some platonical divines explode and scoff at the verbal praise more than becometh their reverence to the word of God : Ps. 1. 23, ' He that otfereth praise glorifieth me.' But then the impression must be looked after too, that we be like that God whom we commend and extol, that we depend on him more, love him more fervently, serve him more cheerfully.
Doct. 2. That God's providence rightly considered, we shall find in the worst times much more cause to give thanks than to complain. I observe this because David was now under affliction. He had in the former verse complained that ' the bands of the wicked had robbed him/ yet even then would he give thanks to God.
1. Observe here, the matter of his thanksgiving was God's provi- dence according to his word, seen in executing threatenings on the wicked, and performing his promises to the godly. God's word is one of the chiefest benefits bestowed on man, and therefore should be a subject of our praises. Now, when this is verified in his providence, and we see a faithful performance of those things in mercy to his servants, and in justice to his enemies, and the benefits and advantages of his law to them that are obedient, and the just punishment of the disobedient, and can discern not only a vein of righteousness but of truth in all God's dealings, this is a double benefit, which must be taken notice of, and acknowledged to God's praise. 0 Christians ! how sweet is it to read his works by the light of the sanctuary, and to learn the interpretation of his providence from his Spirit by his word : Ps. Ixxiii. 17, ' I went into the sanctuary of God, then understood I their end ; ' by consulting the scriptures he see the end and close of them that walk not according to God's direction : his word and works do mutually explain one another. The sanctuary is the place where
168 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. LXX,
God's people meet, where his word is taught, where we may have satisfaction concerning all his dealings.
2. That when any divine dispensation goeth cross to our affections, yea, our prayers and expectations, yet even then can faith bring meat out of the eater, and find many occasions of praise and thanksgiving to God ; for nothing falleth out so cross but we may see the hand of God in it working for good.
[1.] Though we have not the blessing we seek and pray for, yet we- give thanks because God hath been sometimes entreated, he hath showed himself a God hearing prayer, and is only delaying now until a more fit time wherein he may give us that which is sought : Ps. xliii. 5, ' Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.' Now we are mourning, but he is our God, and we are not left without hope of a blessed issue. God, that hath been gracious, will be gracious again. He is our gracious father when we are under his sharpest corrections, a father when he striketh or f rowneth ; therefore we are not without hope that he will give us opportunities again of glorifying his name.
[2.] We bless God for continuing so long the mercies which he hath taken from us. Former experiences must not be forgotten : ' Ebenezer, hitherto the Lord hath helped us.' If he shall afflict us afterward, yet ' hitherto he hath helped us,' 1 Sam. vii. 12. If he take away life, it is a mercy that he spared it so long for his own service and glory ; if liberty, that we had such a time of rest and intermission.