2. A sincere love to God will make us adhere to him when he seeraeth to deal most hardly with us. Among all his corrections, God hath not a rod smai-t enough to drive away a gracious and loving soul from himself: Ps. xliv. 17, 'All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, nor dealt falsely in thy covenant.' God is the same, and his ways are the same, though his dispensations be changed ; so different a thing it is to love the ways of God upon foreign and upon intrinsic and proper reasons ; and the intent of such dispensations is to put us upon trial, — what be our reasons and motives why we love God and his ways, and whether our love be strong enough to encounter with difficulties, whether it can overcome temptations from sense and the world. Till all probabilities be spent, and our afflictions grow long and tedious, we are not tried to the purpose. Our covenant vow to God bindeth us to own him in all conditions, whatever our portion be in the world.
3. By forgetting God's precepts we put away our own comfort from ourselves, and make our afflictions the more grievous. Take the word 'prece'pis either strictly, for his commandments or statutes, or more largely, as it may also include his promises. If any faint and fail in trouble, it is because they trust not the promises, or keep not the com- mandments of God: these two mutually strengthen one another. If
VeR. 83.] SERMOXS UPON PSALM CXTX. 379
you would not have your faith broken, labour to keep the commaud- nients. In the 166th verse of this psalm, 'I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.' And if you would keep the commandments, confirm your faith in the promises of forgiveness of sin, of God's providence, and eternal life ; for if thou canst believe these, no pleasure or pain shall make thee forsake thy obedience, Ps. cxxx. 4. A child of God dareth not warp and turn away from God, in part or in whole, nor slacken any part of his diligence in God's service. Faith in God's promises breedeth obedience, and obedience confirmeth faith in God's promises. We apprehend promises to check that sensitive lure which would entice us from God and our obedience to him. A greater benefit is offered to counterbalance the baits and troubles of the flesh. The more we obey the precepts the more we believe the promises ; for together with our obedience, our confidence and sound comfort increaseth : so that to forget the word is to throw away our strength from ourselves.
4. Afflictions rightly improved are a means to make us remember God's precepts rather than to forget them, Heb. xii. 11. The baits of the flesh are removed that the spirit may be more at liberty, 2 Cor. iv. 16. God seeth fit to afflict the bodies of his people sometimes. The body, being in good plight, is a clog to the soul ; therefore they are withered and wrinkled that the soul may thrive the more. Our worldly portion is blasted that our heavenly treasure may be increased. When we are at full we wax wanton, neglectful, forget his precepts. Now, that we may remember them the more, God sendeth such afflictions which sit near and close. The moon is never eclipsed but when it is at full ; so many have eclipsed the glory of the spiritual life when full and at ease : therefore in afflictions we should not forget his word.
Use 1. To reprove us who are so soon discouraged in the ways of God. If we suffer but a little sickness, and a little trouble and con- tempt in the world, a little loss of honour and interest, the mocks and scorns of foolish men, we cannot bear it, but murmur and are impa- tient. David could submit himself to the Lord, and find sweetness in the word, though he were 'like a bottle in the smoke.' Few now-a- days suffer any great matter for Christ. Surely when God's people have endured harder things, we should be ashamed of our tenderness. Were we only appointed to escape the afflictions and inconveniences of our pilgrimage ? And must God make a new way to heaven for our sakes, wherein we shall meet with no difficulty in our passage ? Or rather, in defiance of all sense, would we abide here for ever, and flourish in ease and plenty, and never see change ? No ; it becometh us betimes to prepare for the cross. None so strong now but they shall wither, so ruddy and beautiful but their beauty shall consume as a moth ; nor so happy and flourishing in honour and esteem but they will be laid aside as a dried, withered bottle. We must look to have our turn, and bear it patiently.
2. Let us not for any afflictions and troubles whatsoever abate of our zeal and diligence and respect to God's service.
First, It is not obedience to God's precepts or godliness that is the cause of our sufferings and chastenings, but our sin and folly : Micah ii. 7, ' Are these his doings ? do not my wet- ds do good to him that
380 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XCI,