[1.] An adherence to his way, how little -soever he seemeth to own it: Ps. xliv. 17, 18, 'AH this is come upon us, yet have we not for- gotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant : our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way.' Sharp affiictions do not discharge us from our duty in professing the truth ; as our steps must not decline, so not our hearts : Dan. iii. 17, 18, ' Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hand, 0 king ; but if not, be it known unto thee, 0 king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.' However God disposes of us, we must keep to our duty.
[2.] In perseverance in the use of means : Kom. xii. 12, ' Continu- ing instant in prayer.' We are to use the duty still, though we have no satisfaction as to the event, and as long as there is life in the duty, it will come to something at the last : Luke v. 15, ' We have toiled all night, and have taken nothing ; nevertheless, at thy word we will let down the net.' It is enough that these means are appointed by God, and we must use them, though hitherto we have gained little comfort and success by them.
[3.] In a dependence upon his promises and powerful providence. The woman sticketh to Christ as only able to help her, though there was little appearance of any help from him. She runneth not away to another helper, but worshippeth him, cleaveth to him. Better lie dead at Christ's feet than die in a state of alienation from him. We must resolve to be his, though we cannot know that he is ours. No trouble, how great soever, is a warrant to quit our trust ; and what- ever disappointment saith to us, it doth not say, put your confidence elsewhere, or trust no longer in God. This resohite confidence is justi- fiable upon these grounds.
(1.) His providence will never give his word the lie. Let God do
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what he will, they are approved who are approved by his word, and they are condemned who are condemned by his word : Ps. Ixxiii. 17, ' When I went into the sanctuary of God, then under- stood I their end ; ' Job. iii. 3, ' I have seen the foolish taking root ; but suddenly I cursed his habitation.' And, on the contrary, Ps. iv. 3, ' But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for him- self ; the Lord will hear when I call unto him ; ' Isa. iii. 10, ' Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him ; for they shall eat of the fruit of their doings.'
(2.) There is more good-will in his heart than is visible in his deal- ings. The merciful nature of God should be a support to us, though we see nothing of the effects of it in his providence : Job. x. 13, ' These things hast thou hid in thine heart ; I know that it is with thee.' He speaketh of his favourable inclination to show pity to distressed crea- tures. We are not able always to reconcile his present dispensations with his gracious nature yet faith must not quit its holdfast. We must see what is hid in God's heart, and comfort ourselves with that favour and mercy which we know to be essential to him. Though, the mercy and pity be not visible and obvious to sense, the disposition and inclination abideth in God unchangeable and sure. God is a merciful God still, and Christ a compassionate Saviour, though the effects be suspended to try and sharpen our faith.
(3.) Because God loveth to bring light out of darkness, to give the valley of Achor for a door of hope to ' bring meat out of the eater, and sweetness out of the strong,' to bring about his people's mercies by means very improbable and contrary, that he may train us up to hope against hope. When deliverance is a-coming, it is not always in sight. Christ at a wedding calls for water when he intended to give wine : John ii. 7, and here he rebuketh the woman as a dog when he meant to treat her as a daughter of Abraham.
(4.) When he seemeth to resist and be opposite to his people, he giveth them secret strength to prevail over him. AYhen Jacob wrestled with God, it was by God's own strength ; God in Jacob seemed to overcome God without him, or against him. Was not the spirit of Christ at work in the heart of this woman all the while he seemed to be struggling with her ? He never striveth with his servants but he giveth them suitable strength to the task he imposeth on them : 1 Cor. X. 13, ' God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able : but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it ; ' Ps. cxxxviii. 3, ' In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.' He heareth not as to deliverance, but yet he heareth as to support.