SERMON UPON ISAIAH L. 10. 53
man shipwrecked and swimming for life in the vast ocean, and sees no banks or land near.
Secondly, The reasons why this may befall the people of God. There are reasons on man's part, and on God's part.
First, On man's part.
1. The astonishing power of sore troubles : Ps. Ix. 3, * Thou hast showed thy people hard things, thou hast made us to drink of the wine of astonishment' They are amazed with afHictions, like unto a man that hath drunk some intoxicating drink which had put him beside him- self. They are in the dark about God's mind in such dispensations, and wonder why God suffereth his people, whom he hath chosen and loved, to go to ruin, especially by the malignity of instruments more wicked than themselves : ' When the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he,' Hab. ii. 13.
2. From that weakness, bondage, and legal dejection which yet re- maineth upon their spirits, so that they are not able to look beyond their present condition ; and if it be evil, they make it worse by their own apprehensions and diffidence. It is dark now, and therefore they think it will never be day; they see not God for the present, and therefore they conclude they shall not see him. As in prosperity God's children are apt to promise themselves too great a stability and continuance : Ps. xxx, 6, ' In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved ; ' so in adversity they are no less ready to heighten their trouble by fearful apprehensions of the perpetuity thereof : Ps. Ixxvii. 7-9. ' Will the Lord cast off for ever ? and will he be favourable no more ? is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for evermore ? hath God forgot to be gracious ? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies ? ' Trouble of our own making breedeth the greatest dejection. They mistake God's dispensation, and make their present condition sadder and worse than indeed it is. It would ease us of our greatest pressures if we would look off a little from the present, and consider how God can work contrary to our probabilities and fears. Contrary to our probabilities : Zech. viii. 6, ' Thus saith the Lord of hosts, If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes, saith the Lord of hosts ? ' And contrary to our fears : Isa. li. 12, 13, 'I, even I, am he that comforteth you : who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man, which shall be made as grass ; and forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth ; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy ? and where is the fury of the oppressor ? '
Secondly, On God's part ; he bringeth us into such a condition — 1. To show his sovereignty, and that he is Lord both of light and darkness : Job xxxiv. 29, ' Wlien he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble ? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only.' Our weal and woe is in his hand : Isa. xlv. 7, ' I form the light, and create darkness ; I make peace, and create evil : I the Lord do all these things.' All is at God's disposing, to give it to whom he will. Some- times he giveth light and peace, nor will a dog move the tongue. So
54 SERMON UPON ISAIAH L. 10.
long as he pleaseth, neither policy nor power will be able to make his gift void, either as to nations or persons. He hath a negative voice : men would trouble, devils would trouble, but if God say, No, all is quiet in kingdoms, families, or souls. If lie justifieth, who can con- demn ? So when, for the punishment of sin or trial of faith, he lets out trouble, who can help it? So he may desert nations, and leave them without counsel or strength. So when God deserts a person, all his comfort and quietness is gone. Men under trouble are in a sad and hopeless plight as to any help, till God help them ; and if he hide his face, who shall ease them of their trouble, till God himself sbine through that cloud ? All the favour of men will not do it till God appear.
2. To check our curiosity. We look to events rather than duties ; we would be lazy, not labour, if we knew our succeeding mercies ; or we should be overwhelmed with grief if we had a foresight of all our trials which are to come. Therefore God puts a veil upon his provi- dence, and will not let us look to the end of his designs : Isa. xlviii. 7,
* Lest thou shouldst say, Behold, I knew them.' Therefore we are in the dark, know not the particular issues and events of things, and can scarce suppoit ourselves with the general promises ; and so walk in darkness and see no light.