3. To settle and quiet our hearts and minds. He that looks no higher than the course of affairs in the world, can never have any firm peace in his own soul ; but trust easeth of all fears, cares, and estuations of mind : Ps. cxii. 7, ' He shall not be afraid of evil tidings ; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord ; ' Prov. xvi. 3, ' Commit thy way unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.' This allayed the storms in David's spirit : Ps. xlii. 5, ' Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me ? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.' When we can refer all to God, then we are at peace : Phil. iv. 6, 7, ' Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,'
Use 1. To reprove those that trust something else instead of God. Every man hath some shadow under which he refresheth himself, some crutch upon which he leaneth, some satisfaction wherein his soul is pleased, or something that shall bear him up or bear him out in the course he taketh.
1. Some trust in the creature against God ; as those that strengthen themselves in their sins because of their great power, wealth, and interest : Ps. Hi. 7, ' Lo, this is the man that made not God his portion, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and streno;thened himself in his wickedness.' Alas ! they will soon find God is too hard for them, blasting all their power and wealthj and bringing it to nothing, when once it is a fit sacrifice to his justice.
2. Some trust in the creature without God ; as in wealth, and honour, and favour of men, &c. ; and so God is neglected, and the sinner is laid asleep in the midst of the greatest soul-dangers. Alas ! all things on this side God will prove a ruinous habitation to us : 1 Tim. vi. 17, ' Trust not in uncertain riches.' So for honour : Ps. xlix. 12, ' Man being in honour, abideth not.' God can soon lay it in the dust. How often have we seen the most shining glory go out in a snuff ? The
32 SERMON UPON PSALM XCI. 1.
favour of men is very variable. The prophet cried out, 2 Sam. xix. 43, ' We have ten parts in David,' But in the very next verse, 2 Sam. XX. 1, one said, ' We have no part in David.' However, they die: 1 Kings i. 21, ' Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers,' &c. In the general, Ps. cxviii. 8, 9, ' It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in princes.' It you were as careful to please God as to get men's favour, it would be better for you than within a while you will find it to be.
3. Some trust in the creature, in a co-ordination with God; as those in Isa. iv. 1, ' In that day shall seven women take hold of one man, saying, W^e will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel ; only let us be called by thy name, and take away our reproach.' God halh the name, but they trust the creature indeed ; or at least hope, by both conjunctly, to make their felicity. They serve God and mammon. They see riches will not cure a disease, prevent death, save a soul ; these things they leave to God ; but wealth will do much in the world, and therefore they trust in wealth as well as God's promises : Mark x. 24, ' How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God?' Alas! this is false : Luke xii. 15, 'Take heed, and beware of covetousness ; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.' This sin appeareth when we cannot deny ourselves for God.
Use 2. To press you entirely to trust yourselves in God's hands. Here take notice of —
1. The adventure of faith after disappointments: Luke v. 5, ' And Simon answering, said unto him. Master, we have toiled all the night, and have caught nothing : nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.' Dig the pit, and see if God will fill it with rain.
2. The waiting of faith, though you find not success presently : Isa. xxviii. 15, 'Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement ; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us : for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.' Greedy and impatient longing must have present satisfaction.
3. The resolution of faith : Job xiii. 15, ' Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.'