Use 2. If you are under afflictions, pr) ^evl^eade, 1 Peter iv. 12, do not strange at it, more than at night and day, showers and sunshine ; as these things fall out in the course of nature, so do troubles and afflic- tions in the course of God's providence ; it were a wonder if otherwise. We do not wonder to see a shower of rain fall, or a cloudy day suc- ceed a fair : 1 Peter v. 9, ' All these things are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.' All the rest of God's people are fellow-soldiers in this conflict.
Use 3. When we are out of affliction, let us bless God that we are out of the affliction. The greatness of the trouble, danger, misery, straits whereinto God doth cast his own doth lay a greater obligation of thankfulness upon those that are free from those evils. If thou beest not thankful for thy health, go to the lazarhouses, look upon the afflicted state of God's people, and that may quicken you to thankful- ness for being freed from them.
Use 4. Advice ; do not draw sufferings upon yourselves by your own rashness and folly : James i. 2, ' Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.' We must not seek or desire trouble, but bear it when God layeth it on us. Christ hath taught us to pray, ' Lead us not into temptation.' It is a folly for us to cast ourselves upon it ; if we draw hatred upon ourselves, and run headlong into dangers without necessity, we must make ourselves amends by repentance, otherwise God will not. If a man set his house on fire, he is liable to the law ; if it be fired by others, or by an ill accident, he is pitied and
VER. 143.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 19
relieved. We are to take our own cross when made to our hands by God's providence, not make it for ourselves ; not to fill our own cup, but drink it off if God put it into our hands. We must come honestly by our crosses as well as by our comforts, and must have a call for what we suffer as well as for what we do, if we would have comfort in our sufferings.
Doct. This trouble may breed much vexation and anguish of spirit even in a gracious soul. David speaketh of anguish as well as trouble.
1. Partly from nature. God's children have the feelings of nature as well as others. Christ Jesus, to show the truth of our nature, would express our affections ; he had his fears and tears, Heb. v. 7, and so hath legitimated our fears and sorrows. It is an innocent affection to have a dislike of what is contrary to us, to our natural interest ; to be without natural affection is among the vices. And —
2. Partly from grace. The children of God are more sensible than others, because they have a reverence for every providence, and look upon it as a good piece of religious manners to observe when God striketh, and to be humble when God is angry, Jer. v. 3 ; slight spirits are not so much affected. Ordinarily they see not God, nor own God in every stroke ; but when the windows of heaven are opened, and the mouth of the great deep below, there must needs be a great sense.
3. Yet there is in it weakness and a mixture of corruption, which may come from an impatiency of the flesh, which would fain be at ease : Gen. xlix. 15, ' Rest is good/ Therefore we are filled with anguish when troubled, either from distrust, or at least from inatten- tiveness to the promises. As there is a negative faith in the wicked, not contradicting the truth of the word, so a negative distrust in the godly, not regarding, not minding the promise, or not regarding the grounds of comfort which it offereth to us ; as Hagar saw not the well that was nigh her till God opened her eyes, Gen. xxi. 19 ; so Mark vi. 52, ' They considered not the miracle of the loaves ;' therefore are amazed in themselves beyond measure. ' Have ye forgotten the five loaves and two fishes ? ' Heb. xii. 5, ' And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh to you as unto children.' Yea, sometimes there may be positive distrust, or actual refusing comfort : Ps. lxxvii. 2, ' My soul refused to be comforted.' As they may not mind comfort, so in great troubles refuse comfort in greater distempers.
4. Sorrow and trouble may revive inward trouble. Affliction in itself is a part of the law's curse, and may revive something of bondage in the hearts of God's children, which is good and useful so far as it quickeneth us to renew our reconciliation with God. Spirits enten- dered by religion are more apprehensive of God's displeasure under afflictions : Num. xii. 14, ' If her father had spit in her face, should she not be ashamed ?' If it humble under the mighty hand of God, it is well ; but when it filleth us with perplexities and amazement, like wild bulls in a net, or produceth uncomely sorrow, roaring like bears, or mourning as men without hope, it is naught.