VeR. 102.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 37
same degree of affection. 'You did run well, who hindered you?' Gal. V. 7. There may be a ready forwardness, and yet a great defec- tion afterwards. This uncertainty is not only at first, before we are settled by grace, or have any sound acquaintance with God's ways. Then it is most, James i. 8. But after conversion it remaineth with us in part. Those measures of affection and zeal which we once obtained are not constant witli us, but suffer some notable decay, and our edge is often taken off and blunted. Especially our first love is not of long standing, and our after-carriage not answerable to our promising beginnings. Now, there is no satisfying reason for this change, why we should make a halt, and grow remiss and lag in the profession of godliness, and leave off" our first works ; nothing but our changeableness of spirit.
2. From the furious oppositions and malice of Satan and his instru- ments.
[1.] Satan pursueth after men that would cleave to God's ways, as Pharaoh did after the Israelites ; either to bring them back again, or to weary them and vex them, and make their present course un- comfortable to them. Now, the violent assault of multiplied tempta- tions is apt to make us stagger and dej^art from that good course that we have propounded to ourselves ; as the Israelites Avere running back to Egypt because of the inconveniences of the wilderness. But it should not be so ; a Christian should stand his ground, ' Whom resist, steadfast in the faith; knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world,' 1 Peter v. 9. They that make conscience of their duty, and are most set to serve and honour God, must reckon upon the hottest battle, and sorest conflict from Satan, to hinder or discourage them therein : he watcheth all advantages, and is still in action against them. Now this should not shake us, or loosen our adherence to the truths of the gospel ; for so it is with every one that goetli to heaven : he must be watching, praying, striv- ing. Yielding is not the way to be quiet, but resisting ; if you yield to him in the least, he will carry you fartlier and farther, till he hath left thee under a stupefied or terrified conscience : stupefied till thou hast lost all thy tenderness. A stone at the top of a hill, when it beginnetli to roll down, ceaseth not till it come to the bottom. Thou thinkest it is but yielding a little, and so by degrees art carried on, till thou hast sinned away all thy profession, and all principles of con- science, by the secret witchery of his temptations : and of the other side, terrified, till thy peace, comfort, and sweet sense of God's love be gone ; and thou brought under the black horrors of a dreadful despair. Therefore a stout and peremptory resistance is the only means of safety. Consider, your case is not singular, your lot is no harder than the rest of God's children therefore do not depart from God.
[2.] Satan's instruments may rage against us, and yet we must not depart : Ps. xliv. 17, 18, ' All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant : our heart is not turned back, neither hath our steps declined from thy way.' All this ! What ? Scorn, disgrace, bloody, cruel, reproved, maligned, butchered, yet steadfast with God in the profession of the
38 SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. [SeR. CVIII.
faith, llazardf; and trouLles arc no excuse ; this is but a time to show our love to God, our duty to God is the same still.
3. From the example of others, especially who arc of esteem for godliness. Example hath a mighty force upon men. Man is a duc- tile creature ; like sheep, they run for company ; not what we ought to do, but what others do. There are three reasons — of natural cor- ruption, the flesh, the devil. But flrst, example of others : Eph. ii. 2, ' In time past ye walked according to the course of this world.' The universal corrupt course and custom of those among whom we live is a great snare. To follow a multitude to do evil is a strong excitement, but no sufficient excuse, especially of good men. They that are gra- cious may stagger strangely in reeling times, and be overtaken with dangerous mistakes. Now their sins authorise others, and draw them into the snare : Gal. ii. 12, ' Carried away with their dissimulation.' A strong stream or current impetuously doth carry all things away with it. They take all for current that they do, without examining their actions, and so run away from the rule by their errors.
4. From the providence of God, which may seem to be against those that are exact right, or the sure way pointed out to us in his word, two ways: —
[1.] In the manifold disappointments as to his favouring a good cause ; their endeavours blasted, many troubles befall them. God's people are often put to trials by God himself, to try the sincerity of their love. Blind Bartimeus rebuked by the disciples: Mark x. 48, ' Many charged him that he should hold his peace, but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy upon me.' And so Christ to the woman of Canaan, Mat. xv. 22-27, puts her off. And are not wo put to such trials in these latter times ? When we own him, God seemeth to put us off ; providence appeareth with a doubtful face. They that take to the better part may be reduced to great straits ; therefore sometimes it may ' happen to the righteous according to the work of the wicked, and to the wicked accoixling to the work of the righteous,' Eccles. viii. 4. So variously doth God dispense external good and evil, and may seem to frown upon those that are faithful now ; yet we should not depart from his judgments : Job xiii. 14, ' Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him.' We should wrestle through many dis- appointments here, or hereafter God will not own us.