2. Good ones that prayed before will pray better and oftener, and with greater seriousness. Therefore God puts his own in straits to quicken their affections : Isa. xxvi. 16, 'Lord, in trouble have they visited thee ; they poured out a prayer, when thy chastening was upon them.' So Hosea v. 15, ' I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face, in their affliction they will seek me early.' When we are pressed hard on all sides, then the throne of grace is more frequented ; we are driven to it. Joab would not come at Absalom's call till he set his barley-field on fire.
Use 1. Be content to be cast into such an estate that you may learn to pray ; for, alas ! we are but cursory at other times, but then our necessities whip us to the throne of grace, that was set up for a time of need ; then is a time to put promises in suit, to make use of our interest in God. We mis-expound the voice of God's providence ; we expound trouble to be his casting off, putting us from him ; they are his voice calling, his hand pulling us to him : it is a time of drawing nigh we are allowed : Ps. 1. 15, ' Call upon me in a day of trouble.' The day of trouble is the fruit of sin, a part of the old curse. When we think him, feel him an enemy, he is drawing us nearer to him. Blessed season to bring God and you together, when our troubles chase us to the throne of grace. God is not wholly gone, he hath left some- what behind him to draw us to himself.
Use 2. It reproveth them that neglect God in their troubles: Dan. ix. 13, ' All this is come upon us, yet we have not made our prayer unto thee.' You defer the dispensation ; now you should make up your former negligence. Unprofitableness under the rod is an ill
VER. 146.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 63
presage, when God sends a tempest after us. Oh, how frequent and earnest should we be in the practice of this duty !
1. This is a time proper for it. Prayer is a duty never out of season, though some seasons are proper and solemn to it. God is always to be prayed unto, Job xxvii. 11. When freed from trouble and incon- venience we are not freed from prayer ; still we must profess depen- dence, subjection, and maintain our communion. But this is a special season : James v. 13, ' Is any one afflicted ? let him pray.'
2. Though afflictions drive us to the throne of grace, yet if we come seriously and heartily, we are not unwelcome to him. Those very prayers which necessity doth extort from us are accepted by God, and valued by him as an acceptable piece of worship. Therefore such as look toward God ought not to be discouraged though afflictions drive them to it, though they sought him not before, or not in good earnest before ; provided that always they find other errands, and be careful to maintain a constant communion with him. Most that are acquainted with God are taken in the briars. Jesus Christ in the days of his flesh had never heard of many, if their necessities had not brought them to him — their palsies, and possessions, and fevers, deaf- ness, dumbness ; thanks to these as their awakening occasions. A man will say, You come to me in your necessity. God is willing to receive us upon any terms.
3. How desperate in appearance soever our condition seem to be, yet crying will bring relief, or help may be found in God for them that cry to him : Judges iii. 9, ' When they cried, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz : ' Judges iii. 15, ' And when the children of Israel cried to the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera.' So Psalm cvii. ; frequently.
From that unto thee.
JDoct. In our troubles we must have recourse to God, and sue to him by prayer and supplication for help and deliverance in due time.
1. Because he is the author of our trouble. In miseries and afflic- tions our business lieth not with men, but God ; by humble dealing with him we stop wrath at the fountain-head. He that bindeth us must loose us ; he is at the upper end of causes, and whoever be the instruments of our trouble, and how malicious soever, God is the party with whom we are to make our peace ; for he hath the absolute disposal of all creatures, and will have us to acknowledge the dominion of his providence, and our dependence upon him. In treaties of peace between two warring parties, the address is not made to private soldiers, but to their chief : 'The Lord hath taken away/ saith Job, chap, xxxiv. 29 ; ' when he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble ? '
2. He challengeth this prerogative to be the God of salvation : Ps. iii. 8, ' Salvation belongeth unto the Lord ; ; and therefore, if we would be saved, we must seek it of him. Others cannot help if he help not, for he hath all means and creatures and second causes at his command. If we lean to means, they may fail, but if we rely upon God, he will never fail. Therefore, whatever means God offereth for our help, prayer to God is the best means, and first to be used.