But whose memory is so vast as to carry all matters away with it ?
SERMON UPON MICAH VI. 5, 49
Answer — There is an habitual remembrance and an actual com- memoration.
(1.) An habitual remembrance is necessary as to all God's acts of mercy, not only of the more eminent and signal providences, but of every day's kindnesses. This habitual remembrance is caused by taking notice of mercies as they come to us, that by observation of the multitude of them we may be possessed with an higher esteem of God's never-failing compassions, and may love him more, and serve him better. Every experience is as fuel added to the fire, as it increaseth our love to God, and our trust and dependence upon him.
(2.) An actual commemoration is impossible as to every single mercy ; it would require that we should live over as long again as we have done in the world, for God's mercies may be reckoned by the minutes of our lives.
[2.] In the more eminent passages of our lives, as much as may be we should be more express and particular ; for particulars are more affective, such as are awakening opportunities, deliverances in great dangers and fears, or notable mercies vouchsafed. God helpeth weak eyes, that cannot see his goodness in a lesser print, by a greater, when he sets forth his love, power, and goodness in a larger character. To ' neglect or forget these showeth that we will little mind the dealings of God. In short, if we cannot recall the single acts, recollect the sorts of mercies ; as painters, when they draw a crowd, paint a cluster of heads. We cannot reckon up all the mercies of God in order : Ps. xl. 5, 'Many, 0 Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-wards, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee : if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.' If we do not always actually remember, yet still cherish an habitual remembrance, or a constant sense of the Lord's goodness to us ; this will help us against our distrustful fears : Ps. Ixxvii. 10, 'And I said. This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.' David's former experi- ences were a great relief to him. So against discontent and murmur- ing : Job ii. 10, ' Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and not evil ? ' This will be a check to sin : Ezra ix. 13, 14, 'And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this, should we again break thy commandments ? ' And a strong impulsion to obedience : Josh, xxiv^ 31, 'And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works, of the Lord that he had done for Israel.'
Directions. 1. Be affected with mercies if you would remember them ; for deep affections leave a print upon us which cannot easily be defaced ; men remember what they care for.
2. But the special way to remember them is to improve them, to grow better for them, to increase in faith, love, and obedience ; then christians will remember them by a good token. If you let them pass as common accidents, no wonder the impression such providences make is soon worn off. A man that hath well profited by a sermon
VOL. XV HI. D
50 SERMON UPON MICAH VI. 5.
will not easily forget it : Ps. cxix. 93, ' I will never forget thy precepts, for with them thou hast quickened me.'
3. You should often call yourselves to an account : Ps. cxxxix. 17, * How precious are thy thoughts to me, 0 Lord ! how great is the sum of them ! ' By the thoughts of God he meaneth the various dispen- sations of his providence. The variety of mercies is infinite, that it is impossible for us to get to the bottom of them ; when we come to a reckoning we are amazed.
4. Consider our ingratitude is aggravated by every mercy received, especially eminent and signal mercies. This is the ground of God's plea and controversy against his people in the text ; and 1 Kings, xi. 9, ' And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared to him twice.' If your hearts decline, and depart from God after many en- couragements to cleave to him, how just will your condemnation be ! But God will add mercy to mercy when you are thankful for former mercies.
SERMON UPON ISAIAH L. 10.
Wlio is among you that feareth the Lord, that dbeyeth the voice of his servant, that loalketh in darkness, and hath no light ? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. — Isaiah 1. 10.
In the words there are three propositions —
1. God's people may sometimes be in such a condition as to walk in darkness and see no light.