VeR. 75.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 297
we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.' The carnal reprobate world are left to a looser and larger dis- cipline. Brambles are not pruned when vines are. New creatures require a more close inspection than others do. Self-confidence and spiritual security are apt to grow upon them ; therefore, to mortify our self-confidence, to awaken us out of spiritual sleep, we need to be afHicted, and also to quicken and rouse up a spirit of prayer. We grow cold and flat, and ask mercies for form's sake : Isa. xxvi. 16, ' Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.' And that we may be quickened to a greater mindfulness of heavenly things. The best of us, when we get a carnal pillow under our heads, are apt to sleep secure. God will not let us alone to our ruin, but afHicts us that we may be refined from the dregs of the flesh, and that our gust and relish of heavenly things may be recovered, and that we may be quickened to a greater diligence in the heavenly life. Look, as earthly parents are not faithful to their children's souls when they live at large, and omit that correction which is necessary for them : Prov. xxix. 15, ' The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.' The mother is mentioned, because they are usually more fond and in- dulgent, and spare many times, and mar the child ; but our heavenly Father will not be unfaithful, who is so wise that he will not be blinded by any passion, hath such a perfect love, and does so fixedly design our eternal welfare, that he rebuketh that he may reform, and reformeth that he may save.
4. God's faithfulness about the affliction is twofold — in bringing on the affliction, and guiding the affliction.
[1.] In bringing on the affliction, both as to the time and kind, when our need requireth, and such as may do the work : 1 Peter i. 6, * Ye are in heaviness for a season, if need be.' When some distemper was apt to grow upon us, and we were straggling from our duty : Ps. cxix. 67, ' Before I was afflicted I went astray,' Some disappointment and check we meet with in a way of sin, which is a notable help in the spiritual life, where God giveth a heart to improve it.
[2.] As to guiding the affliction both to measure and continuance, that it may do us good and not harm : 1 Cor. x. 13, ' God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.' Violent temptations are not permitted where the Lord seeth us weak and infirm ; as Jacob drove as the little ones were able to bear. So when the temptation continued is like to do us hurt, either God will remove it — 2 Tlies. iii. 3, ' Faithful is the Lord, who will establish and keep you, uiro rod Trovrjpov, from the evil ;' the per- secutions of unreasonable men are there intended — or else support them under it : 2 Cor. xii. 9, ' My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Use 1. To check and reprove divers evils which are apt to grow upon our spirits in our troubles.
1. Murmuring and repining thoughts against God's providence. Why should we murmur and complain, since we justly suffer what we sufler, and it is the Lord's condescension that he will make some good use of these sufferings to our eternal happiness, that we may be
298 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. LXXXIII.
Ccapcible of everlasting consolation? His justice should stop murmurings: Lam, iii. 39, ' Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins ?' If he complain, he can complain of none but himself ; that evil choice he hath made for his own soul, which it may be he would never have thought of but upon this occasion. His punishment here carrieth no proportion with his offence ; it is punish- ment in the singular number, sins in the plural ; one punishment for many acts of sin : and a living man, on this side hell, what is this to everlasting torments ? Life cannot be without many blessings to accompany it ; while living we may see an end of this misery, or have ■ time to escape those eternal torments which are far worse. The form of the words showeth why we should thus expostulate with ourselves, ' Wherefore doth a living man complain?' Why do we complain? God hath not cut us off from the land of the living, nor cast us into hell ; it is the punishment of sin, and is far less than we have de- served. Again, the faithfulness of God checketh murmurings. God knoweth what way to take with us to bring us to glory ; therefore trust yourselves in God's hands, and let him take his own methods : ' Commit your souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful creator,' 1 Peter iv. 19. He is Trto-ro? Krla-Tij'i ; as he is a creator, he doth not love to destroy the work of his hands ; as he is faithful in his covenant, he will take the best and safest course to bring you to heaven.