2. This is grievous to them. Guilt affects the saints most. A rod dipped in guilt smarteth sorest upon their backs.
VOL. XXII. E
66 SERMON UPON JOB X. 2,
[1.] This for the present depriveth them of the sense of God's love to them, which is their all and their happiness. Nothing cheereth them so much as the beams of his reconciled face : Ps. iv. 6,7,' Lord, lift up thou the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and wine increased ; ' Kom. v. 11, ' We joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement.'
[2.] It questioneth their love of God, as if all were counterfeit ; for God cannot condemn the soul that loveth him. And his providence seemeth to their consciences to s]Deak out condemnation to humble them. Peter took it tenderly to have his love questioned : John xxi. 17, ' Master, thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that I love thee ; ' as Job afterwards, ' Lord, thou knowest that I am not wicked.'
Use 2. It showeth what we should do that the wounds of an healed conscience may not bleed afresh again.
1. Interpret the dispensations of providence aright. Whatever God's dealings be with his children, it is to prevent condemnation, not to revive it upon them. If we have nothing else to weaken our faith and confidence, it is a temptation from Satan to question our estate merely upon the account of afflictions. It is bis suggestion, If God did love thee, he would not follow thee with his judgments ; but that he hateth thee, and hath no delight in thee ; this is from Satan. For so his instruments said to Christ : Mat. xxvii, 43, ' He trusted in God ; let him deliver him now if he will have him : for he said, I am the Son of God.' Now retort it for Satan : Nay, because God loveth me, he dealeth thus with me ; he meaneth to save my soul. Because we are children of God, therefore we are the more afflicted, that sins may be prevented, grace increased.
2. Eemember the absoluteness of God's pardon. Sin pardoned is remembered no more, Jer. xxxi. 34; nor would be found, Jer. 1. 20 : all sins cast into the depth of the sea. God will not recall his sentence of pardon.
3. Make your interest in Christ more certain and clear ; for certainly 'there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ,' Kom. viii, 1.
Now these things evidence that we are in Christ — [1.] A change of nature is necessary : 2 Cor. v. 17, ' Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' If it be so, you may appeal to God that you are not a wicked man. A sinner indeed, but renewed and reconciled. You have obtained mercy not to be wicked.
[2.] You must walk holily, that you may have the testimony of a good conscience, which is a notable support in troubles : 2 Cor. i. 12, ' For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in sim- plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundant to you-ward.'
4. There must be serious endeavours against the remainder of sin that may prevent the reign of it, for then you are not under the law, but under grace : Piom. vi. 14, ' To break the power of sin is not the work of a day ; these sad dispensations tend to it, not to infringe our justification, but promote our sanctification, that we may carry it more
SERMON UPON JOB X. 2. 67
cantionsly, holily, and thankfully to God : Isa. xxvii. 9, ' By this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin ; ' Heb. xii. 10, ' They verily for a few days chastened us for their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.'
Doct. 3. That it is a good thing to inquire after the cause and reason of our afflictions.
1. They will not else be so honourable to God ; for God lovetli to be clear when he judgeth, Ps. li. 4, or to have the reason of his dispen- sation seen, that he may have the glory, we the shame : Jer, ii. 17, ' Hast thou not procured this unto thyself ? ' Micah vii. 9, ' I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold iiis righteousness.'
2. Nor are our chastenings so profitable unto us till we know why he doth contend with us. We reap a double advantage when we know for what sin : 1 Cor. xi. 30, ' For this cause many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.'
[1.] That God never afflicteth but for a cause is necessary to be known for his honour ; but for what cause, that is necessary to be known for our profit. We are apt to flatter ourselves with notions and generals. Sin in the general is the common pack-horse, upon which men lay all their burdens. But come to particulars, amend them, avoid sin ; there we are at a loss : Mai. iii. 7, ' Heturn unto me, saith the Lord of hosts : but they said, Wherein shall we return ? ' There we show that our repentance was but a notion. Dolus latet in universalibus — Deceit lurks under generals. Therefore it is an advan- tage to know that not for sin in general, but for this sin, God afflicts us.