SERMOX LXXIX.
It is good for me that I Jiave been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. — Yer. 71.
The context speaketh of afflictions by occasion of persecutions. The proud had forged a lie against him, and involved him in many troubles, when in the meantime ' their heart was as fat as grease.' They wal- lowed in ease and pleasure, but David kept right with God ; and yet his afflictions do not cease. God doth not presently take away oppo- sition, because of our proud, unhumbled, unmortified spirits, though we hold fast our integrity for the main : therefore he comforteth himself in his spiritual protection under the affliction, though the affliction was not removed : ' It is good,' &c. In the words there is —
1. An assertion, it is good for me that I have heen afflicted.
2. The reason, that I might learn tluj statutes. Or, here is a general truth explained by a particular instance. In the general, he saith it is good, and then what good he got by it.
Doct. That affliction, all things considered, is rather good than evil.
The assertion is a paradox to vulgar sense and the ears of the com- mon sort of men. How few are there in the world that will grant that it is good to be afflicted ! Yea, the children of God can scarcely sub- scribe to the truth of it till the affliction be over. While they are
252 SERMONS UPON TSALM CXIX, [SeR. LXXIX.
under it they feel the smart, but do not presently discern the benefit ; but in the review they find God hath ordered it with much wisdom and faithfulness ; and in the issue they say, as David doth, ' It is good for me that I have been affiicted.' Carnal sense is not easily per- suaded, but the new nature prevaileth at length, and then they readily subscribe to the truth of it.
The word is clear on this point : Job v. 17, ' Behold, happy is the man whom the Lord correcteth.' The first word, behold, sunimoneth our attention and observation. "What is the matter ? As those that are before Joseph cried, Abreclc, ' bow the knee,' Gen. xli. 43, to show some eminent person was at hand, so this heliold calleth for reverence and admiration ; there is some strange truth to ensue and follow. Happiness in the lowest notion, it includeth a freedom from misery ; and yet the scripture pronounces the man happy whom the Lord cor- recteth. There have been among the heathens many opinions about happiness. Two hundred and eighty-eight Austin reckoneth up ; but none ever placed it in correction, in sickness, disgrace, exile, captivity, loss of friends, much less in Gods correction, who is our supreme judge, to whom we ultimately appeal when others wrong us. And yet the corrected man, and the man corrected by the Lord, is happy, though not with a consummate happiness ; he hath not the happiness of his country, but he hath the happiness of the way. The man is kept by the way, that he may come to his countr}^ His afllictions take nothing from him but his sin. Therefore his solid happiness remaineth not infringed, rather the more secured. So Ps. xciv. 12, ' Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 Lord, and teachest out -^f thy law.' To be chastened of God for what we have done amiss, and by that means to be reduced to the sense and practice of our duty, is one of the greatest blessings on this side heaven that can light upon us. It is an evidence of God's tender care over us, and that he will not lose us, and sufier us to perish with the unbelieving and sinful world.
The truth lieth clearly in the scripture ; but to reconcile it with our prejudices —
1. I shall show by what measure we are to determine good and evil.
2. Prove that afiliction is good. First, For the measure.
1. Tins good is not to be determined by our fancies and conceits, but by the wisdom of God ; for God knoweth better what is good for us than we do for ourselves, and foreseeth all things by one infinite act of understanding, but we judge according to present appearance; therefore all is to be left to God's disposal, and his divine choice is to be preferred before our foolish fancies, and what he sendeth and permitteth to fall out is fitter for us than anything else. Could we once assuredly be persuaded of this, a Christian would be completely fortified, and fitted not only for a patient but a cheerful entertainment of all that is or shall come upon him. Besides, he is a God of bowels, and loveth us dearly, better than we do ourselves ; and therefore we should be satisfied with his dispensations whatever they are, whether according to or against our will. The shepherd must choose the pastures for the sheep, whether lean or fat, bare or full grown; the
VeR. 71.] SERMONS UrON PSALM CXIX. 253