2. That yet these mercies should not be forgotten, partly becausa God hath commanded the contrary, as we have seen. It is not only a sin to forget his word, but his works ; and partly also because of the profit.
[l.J That we may be more deeply possessed of the goodness of God. The ear doth not afi'ect the heart so much as the eye, and what is felt leaveth a greater impression upon us than what is talked of, for experience giveth us a more intimate perception of things. The king of Syria said, * We have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings,' 1 Kings xx. 31. A rumour and report giveth encouragement, but actual experience silenceth all contradiction. When I can say, I know God is not unmindful of his people, but relieveth them in their great straits, and watcheth over their welfare. As the apostle : Acts x. 34, ' Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ; ' Ps. cxl. 12, ' I know that the Lord will maintain the right of the poor, and the cause of the afflicted.' Unquestionably God will undertake the patronage of his distressed servants when all other hopes fail them ; meaning, when God did signally defend them and watch over them.
[2.] To encourage us to walk in his ways. It is our forgetfulness of God's goodness that maketh us so disobedient and unthankful to him : Ps. Ixxviii. 7, ' That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.' Nothing breedeth a careful uniform obedience to his commands so much as a grateful remembrance of his mercies. Alas ! as our thankfulness is abated, so is our obedience. God's authority sways the conscience, but God's love inclines the heart. Tlierefore mercies should be remem- bered.
[3.] To fortify us against all oppositions and temptations: Deut. vii, 18, ' Thou shalt not be afraid of them, but shalt well remember what the Lord tl)y God did unto Pharaoh and unto all Egypt.' It is
48 SERMON UPON MICAH VL 5.
a great comfort to faith to look back upon the former manifestations of God's power and good-will towards his people. We have manifold fears and infirmities upon us when we see the power or suspect the craft of our enemies ; but let us remember former experiences, and that will be an allay to them. When we see the continuance of his judg- ments so many years, and in so many forms frequently varied, but still lying upon us, we are filled with many sad thoughts and reason- ings of unbelief ; but we may soon suppress and silence them by the thoughts of God's power and love heretofore, and the evidences of his love and good-will and fidelity to all that depend upon him. Former dealings raise our hearts to the expectation of future mercies. Use. To press us to this remembrance —
1. Of the great christian mercies that concern the whole common- wealth of believers ; such as the birth, death, resurrection, and ascen- sion, and intercession of the Lord Jesus. These are the standing dishes at a believer's table, the constant food for our faith, mercies never out^f season ; these are mercies so general and beneficial, that they should never be forgotten, but remembered before God. We should always bless God for Jesus Christ, and desire that the knowledge of these things may be perpetuated to after ages : Eph. iii. 21, ' Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.'
2. For national mercies, so far as they concern either the first plant- ing or the restoring of Christ's religion, or the maintenance of it against the eminent open attempts or secret plots of antichristian adversaries. These should be remembered by us ; partly to awaken our zeal, that religion thus owned may not die upon our hands ; partly to show our esteem both of the religion and the mercy of God in owning it ; partly that we may beg the continuance of it, for every thanksgiving is an implicit prayer ; partly that we may embolden ourselves against all the difficulties we may be exposed to in owning the true profession, and depend on the same God still, and continue faithful to him.
3. Old personal mercies ; though we have new ones daily, yet they must not jostle out the old. David saith, Ps. ciii. 2, ' Forget not all his benefits.'
[1.] The smallest mercy should not be despised, partly because they all come from a great God. A small remembrance from a prince or potentate we esteem as a great favour ; why not from God much more ? Ps. cxiii. 6, ' Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth.' But the invisible hand that reacheth out our mercies to us is little noted or observed, partly because they come from the same love, the great ones do. You see all along in the 136th Psalm, 'For his mercy endureth for ever;' ver. 25, ' Who giveth food to all flesh, for his mercy endureth for ever.' Daily bread as well as those mighty wonders flow from the same mercy. Nothing should be small where nothing is deserved. And partly because he that is not faithful in a little will not be faithful in much ; as in point of sin, he that doth not make conscience of small sins, will fall into greater. The lesser commands are a rail about the greater ; so a constant neglect of mercies breedeth a senseless stupidity.