(2.) In his covenant, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, and the benefits offered there are pardon of sin and eternal life. Pardon of sin is a cure for our greatest and deepest trouble. Eternal life answereth all our desires; this light affliction is not comparable to it : 2 Cor. iv. 17, ' For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.'
Use. Well, then—
1. Trust in the Lord against carnal reason, when carnal reason doth not befriend your trust. They that trust God no farther than they can see him, they do not-trust God, but their outward probabi- lities. God hath only the name. Yea, when carnal reason contradicts your trust and checketh all hope : ' Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him,' Job xiii. 15.
2. Trust God against carnal affection; trust his wise and holy government. We would fain interpose to save our lusts, which some- times need a sharp cure. God's quarrel is not against your persons, but your sins ; he desireth not your destruction, but your humiliation and reformation. The dearest loss is your sin, and are you loath to spare that ? There is nothing so sad which befalleth the people of God but it tendeth to prevent something which is sadder, which would otherwise befall them : 1 Cor. xi. 32, ' But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be con- demned with the world ; ' Ps. xciv. 12, 13, ' Blessed is the man whom thou diastenest, 0 Lord, and teachest him out of thy law, that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.'
3. Trust him upon his gospel assurance, even against the terms of his own law. We may change courts : Ps. cxxx. 3, 4, ' If thou shouldst mark iniquity, 0 Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared;' Ps. cxliii. 2, * Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.'
SEKMON UPON ISAIAH L. 10, 61
For the third point, they that fear God and obey him are most encouraged to trust God.
1. Because precepts and promises go hand in hand, so must our trust and obedience: Ps. cxlvii, 11, 'The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy ;' Ps. cxix. 1(J6, ' Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done tjiy commandments.'
2. Sincerity giveth confidence and boldness, and helpeth our trust. They can delight in the Almighty, and lift up their face to God: 1 John iii. 21, ' If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God.'
3. The controversy is taken up when we desire to keep the way of obedience. Sin is the thorn in our sore which caused the first pain : Lam. iii. 39, ' Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sin ? ' God hath no quarrel with them, but about their sins.
Use. Then, if we would trust ourselves with God's holy government, let us fear his name, and obey the voice of his servant, and return to the obedience we owe to our creator, and put ourselves into the hands of our redeemer.
UPON 2 SAMUEL VII. 2T.
Therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. — 2 Sam. vii. 27.
There are several things remarkable in this context.
1. David's thankful mind, ver. 1, 2. I may illustrate it by the opposite practice of Nebuchadnezzar : Dan. iv. 30, ' Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty ? ' And of the Israelites in their new dwellings at Jerusalem : Hag. i. 2-4, ' This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it a time for you, 0 ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste ? ' All our comforts are used accord- ing to the temper of the party that enjoyeth them, either as an occasion to the flesh, or as incentives of godliness. A gracious spirit looketh upon common mercies as discovering their author, and pointing to their end ; they came from God, and must be used for God. A proper meditation for you when you enjoy commodious habitations, walk in your pleasant gardens, or get any repose and ease from troubles. In the midst of the plentiful accommodations of the present life. What have I done for God, who giveth me richly to enjoy all these things ?
2. Nathan's innocent and pious mistake : ver. 3, ' Go, do all that is in thine heart, for the Lord is with thee.' This Nathan spake not by a prophetical, but private spirit. The prophets might err when they spake out of their own human spirit, but as moved by the Holy Ghost they erred not. The prophet is to be excused, because the intention of David's zeal was good, and a meet expression of his thankfulness to God. God himself liked the intention in itself .' 1 Kings viii. 18, ' The Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.' And besides, he might tell him, ' The Lord is with thee,' from former observation. God had accompanied David with his Spirit and blessing in all his enterprises. Well, then, this he said not by divine revelation, but of himself. Herein he was faulty, that he consulted not with God. And it teacheth us this lesson, that in all businesses of moment and concern- ment to God's glory, we must ask God's leave, and counsel, and blessing: Prov. iii. 5, 6, ' Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to