2. The sight of misery is a real argument. It is clear that we are to use arguments in prayer ; for God dealeth with us as rational crea- tures, and as such we are to deal too with him. Now, among argu- ments, our afflictions and miseries are real ones ; they have a voice
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to work upon his pity, and to move him to have mercy upon us. He being inclined to compassion, his eye doth affect his heart, as a beggar, to move pity, will not only plead with his tongue, but uncover his sores ; so do the saints lay open their misery, and unfold their estate before the Lord ; for God so loveth his people, that the very show of their miseries moveth him to help them. Thus God saith that ho would show mercy to his people, ' for I have seen with mine eyes/ Zech. ix. 8. God seeth our case, and every degree of our trouble is marked by him, which bringeth it the nearer to his heart ; yea, God's people themselves are comforted under their saddest sufferings by the Lord's seeing and marking thereof : Ps. x. 14, ' Thou hast seen it, for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand.' It is enough to them thou hast seen it. So Ps. xxxi. 7, ' I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy, for thou hast considered my trouble, and known my soul in adversities/ It '-is a mighty comfort that God hath an eye upon them in particular, and hath friendly affections towards tliem.
3. The Lord is said to consider when he doth in effect declare his not forgetting, or remembering us for good ; and therefore, though God cannot but see and consider our trouble, yet we cannot rest satisfied with it, till by real effects he maketh it evident, that we may know, and all the world may know, that he doth consider us, and regard our condition ; and this is that which saints beg so earnestly, that he would, by some act or work, experiment the truth, or make it appear that he hath heard and seen and taken notice of our sorrows. Though, the saints believe his omnisciency and particular providence, yet they cannot rest satisfied till they feel it by some effect, by giving real support or help in need, according to covenant ; and so must all the places before mentioned be interpreted.
Use. When we, or the church of God, or any of the people of God, are in any distress —
1. Let us go to God and beg that we may see, and the world may see, that he hath regard to us in our sorrows, and doth not wholly pass us over. To this end, impress upon your hearts the belief of these two things — the eye of his pity, and the arm of his power.
[1.] The eye of his pity, which is more than bare omnisciency; it imports his knowledge accompanied with a tender love. This is often spoken of in scripture : Exod. ii. 28, ' God looked on the children of Israel, and had respect to them.' So Exod. iii. 7, 'And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters, and have known their sorrows;' Acts vii. 34, I8a>v elhov, 'I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people ;' or seeing, I have seen. The very sight of God is a comfort and support to a sinking soul ; it is some comfort to us to have our crosses known to such as we are assured do love us, if they condole with us, though they be not able to help us ; so that the Lord looketh upon us with a merciful, pitiful eye.
[2.] As God will cast the eye of his pity on us, so he will put forth the arm of his power ; as he hath a merciful eye, so he hath a power- ful hand, ready to help ; though sometimes we sec nothing of this : 2 Chron. xvi. 9, ' For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout
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the earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.' There is his care and effective providence.
2. Be sure you keep up your qualification : ' I do not forget thy law.' Many times when men in their prosperity do not regard. God and his commandments, he regardeth them in their straits ; for though we forget the duty of children, he doth not forget the mercies of a father. But surely he will not forget them that do not forget his law ; therefore it is not credible that God. should forget us and our condition, that we should be more mindful of his law than he of our affliction. He that puts us in mind of his law will also put himself in mind of the troubles we endure for the keeping of it ; for certainly God is more mindful of his part of the covenant than we can be of ours. See Christ's argument, John xvii. 10, ' And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.'