1. Because this is first in our apprehension. We know God to be ours by giving up ourselves to be his. His choice and election of us is a secret till it be evidenced by our choice of him, till we choose him for our portion. Well, then, a believer cannot always say God is his, but a believer is always resolved to be the Lord's by his own choice and dedication ; they resolve to be his, and not their own. Though you cannot discern your election, that God hath chosen you, yet it is
448 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. XCIX.
comfortable to renew j^our resignation of yourselves to God. Resig- nation, that is our act, and is more sensible to conscience than God's election : ' Lord, I have none in heaven but thee, and whom do I desire in comparison of thee ? ' God will not refuse such a soul that is thus willing to tack himself upon God, will not be put off : 'lam tliine.' As the Campani, when they begged the Romans to help them, and they refused, they came and gave themselves and their whole estates to be vassals to the Romans, with this plea, If you will not defend us as your allies, defend us as your subjects. Thus a gracious soul will tack himself upon God, and will not be put off : I will not be my own, but thine.
2. ' I am thine ; ' he saith so, because this was the best check to the present temptation. David was then in fear of his life when he spoke this, when the wicked lay in wait to destroy him, ver. 95 ; they wanted neither malice nor power to do it ; then saith David, ' I am thine.' In afflictions God seems to break down the hedge, and lay his people open, in common with others, to the fury of the judgment that is then upon them. In regard of God's outward dealings, little appearance different between us and them ; but then we must say. Lord, I am thine ; though involved in the same judgment, yet, Lord, thou canst put a difference, ' I am thine.' 2 Peter ii. 9 : 'The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation,' how to put a distinction and dif- ference between his own and others ; so that our distinct interest, * I am thine,' is a relief to the soul.
3. Saints observe a difference when they speak to God and when they plead with their own hearts ; when they apeak to God, then they mention their own resignation. Lord, I am thine ; but when they would revive their own drooping souls, then they say, God is mine. Compare the text with Ps. xlii. 11, ' Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul ?' &c. He is my God ; God is mine, and wilt thou be troubled ? But when they speak to God, ' I am thine ; ' so they raise their hearts in a holy confidence. The interest is mutual. In dealing with our own unbelief, it is best to urge our interest in God : He is mine ; but when in prayer, God's interest in us : Lord, I am thine.
4. This is the more humbling way, to urge our own resignation. See Ps. cxvi. 15, 16, ' Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints;' then presently, 'Ah, Lord, truly I am thy servant,' &c. God's children may be exposed to hazards alike, but their blood is precious to God. Now though the world thinketh lightly of their death, yet God doth not think so. How doth David apply this com- fort, ' Precious in the sight,' &c. He doth not say, as the force of the words would seem to carry it, Lord, I am one of thy saints ; but, Lord, I am thy servant ; he takes a more humble title. There is many a man fears and doubts to apply the privileges of God's children under some higher title, yet they should apply them in a title suitable to their condition and measure. So did David ; he presumeth not to say, Thou art mine ; that were a higher challenge, but yet such as God's condescension will warrant him ; but he doth aver and assert his own resignation, which is a more dutiful and humble way of confidence. Again, he doth not say, I am thus and thus, but, I am thine. He doth not plead property or good qualification, but he pleads God's
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properly in him ; Lord, I cannot say I am perfect and upright as I should be, yet I am thine. It is good to own God in the humbling way, and take hold of promises on the dark side ; so doth Paul, 1 Tim. i. 15, ' This is a faithful saying,' &c. ; as if he had said. Nay, if that be a faithful saying, then I can put in a plea, I am sinner enough for Christ to save. Thus by these lower ways of ajiplication we may derive and take out to ourselves the comfort of the promises.
Doct. 2. God's interest in his people is the ground of his care for their safety.