5. That we cannot lie open to the plots and snares of those that hate us till we have provoked our shadow and defence to depart from us ; for till there was an apostasy from the truth and the right ways of God, Balaam with all his wiles could have no advantage against Israel. Balaam's counsel did more hurt than his curse. When we once contemn God's law, and turn to the wicked, we forfeit our protec- tion, both against open violence and secret machinations. Many things are contrived against us in the dark that we know not and see not ; but God watcheth for us : Isa, viii, 10, ' Take counsel together, and
46 SERMON UPON MICAH VI. 5.
it shall come to nought, speak the word, and it shall not stand ; for God is with us.' Keep Grod with you, and you are safe. All the plots of the enemies were to separate between them and God ; do not gratify them herein.
6. Observe God's just judgments on violent and fraudulent enemies. Balak and Balaam designed a mischief against Israel, but it fell upon their own pates. Balak lost a considerable part of his territories, which was allotted as a portion to the tribe of Keuben ; Balaam was slain by the sword. And thus it usually falls out in the course of God's providence : Ps. vii. 15, 16, ' He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.' They are taken in the pit they digged for others ; their treacher- ous designs and attempts return upon themselves, to their own destruction ; as iron, when it is overheated in the fire, burneth their fingers which hold it ; or like an arrow shot up against heaven, it cometh down most piercingly upon their own heads : they are taken in their own pit, poisoned in their own cup ; so that in the issue it appeareth they laid a snare for themselves ; all is converted to their own ruin.
7. That God's mercy is not wholly made void to his people, notwith- standing their many sins and failings. He spareth some though he punisheth others, and remembereth his covenant when our sins deserve it should be broken ofi". Alas ! whosoever readeth the carriage of this people in the wilderness towards God, he shall still find grace striving with sin, and the goodness of God overcoming the evil of man, and his fidelity prevailing above their unthankfulness and unfaithfulness. And the character of this people in the wilderness is just our own in travelling to heaven. How often do we forfeit the blessing of God's presence ! But he is not severe upon every failing, and upon repent- ance he is willing to renew covenant with us, and set us in joint again. Nothing hurteth us more than the sinful provocations of God's people. Have no hand in them, or if you have been accessory to public guilt, bemoan it, and humble yourselves before God, and be more aweful and tender for the future, and you will find God to be a merciful God.
Thirdly, Why such kind of mercies should not be forgotten. Here I will prove —
1. That man is apt to forget the great mercies of God, especially national mercies.
2. That yet these mercies should not be forgotten, both because of God's command, and the profit of remembering them.
1. That man is marvellous apt to forget these benefits ; therefore there are so many cautions that we forget them not. In private mercies : Ps. ciii. 2, ' Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits ;' Dent. viii. 11, 'Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day ; ' and ver. 14, ' That thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.' So we have many precepts : Deut. viii. 2, ' Thou shalt remember all the way
SEEM©N UPON MICAH VI. 5. 47
which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years ; ' 1 Chron. xvi. 12, ' Kemember his marvellous works which lie hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.' And so many charges and com- plaints : Judges viii. 34, ' The children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies on every side ; ' Ps. Ixxviii. 11, ' They forgot his works and his wonders that he had showed them ; ' and Ps. cvi. 13, ' They soon forgot his works.' And all this is no more than needeth ; for man's memory is a bad friend to benefits. Injuries are written in marble, but benefits in the water. Now, as these cautions, charges, and accusations do respect all mercies, so especially more eminent mercies ; for it is said, ' He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered,' Ps. cxi. 4. The great miraculous works of his providence should make such impression upon men as never to be forgotten, but recorded and reported for ever. As for great deliverances, God hath appointed ordinances for a memorial, such as the passover, or the Lord's supper, to remember our redemption by Christ ; for by these works God maketh himself a name, by doing great things for his people, 2 Sam. vii. 23. Kedemption from the tyranny of antichrist is not to be forgotten.