The end why I have insisted on these things is, to show the rea- sonableness of the duty v/hich we are pressing unto, — namely, to wait on God quietly and patiently in every condition of distress ; for what else becomes us when we have to do with this great and holy One?
VOL. VL 40
626 AN EXPOSITION UPON PSALM cxxx. [Ver.0,6.
And a due consideration of tliese things will exceedingly influence our minds thereunto.
Secondly, This waiting for God resj)ecteth the whole of the con- dition expressed in the psalm; and this containeth not only spiritual depths about sin, which we have at large insisted on, but also provi- dential depths, depths of trouble or affliction, that we may be exer- cised withal in the holy, wise providence of God. In reference also unto these, waiting in patience and silence is our duty. And there are two considerations that will assist us in this duty, with respect unto such depths, — that is, of trouble or affliction. And the first of these is the consideration of those properties of God which he exer- ciseth in an especial manner in all his dealings with us, and which in all our troubles we are principally to regard. The second is the consideration of ourselves, what we are, and what we have de&*erved.
Let us begin with the former. And there are four things in God's dispensations towards us and dealing with us that in this matter we should consider, all suited to woi'lc in us the end aimed at: —
1. The first is his sovereignti/. This he declares, this we are to acknowledge and submit unto, in all the great and dreadful dispen- sations of his providence, in all his dealings with our souls. May he not do what he will with his own? Who shall say unto him. What doest thou? or if they do so, what shall give them counte- nance in their so doing? He made all this world of nothing, and could have made another, more, or all things, quite otherwise than they are. It would not subsist one moment without hia omnipotent supportment. Nothing would be continued in its place, course, use, without his effectual influence and countenance. If any thing can be, live, or act a moment without him, we may take free leave to dispute its disposal with him, and to haste unto the accomplishment of our desires. But from the angels in heaven to the worms of the earth and the grass of the field, all depend on him and his power continually. Why was this part of the creation an angel, that a worm; this a man, that a brute beast? Is it from their own choice, designing, or contrivance, or brought about by their own wisdom? or is it merely from the sovereign pleasure and will of God? And what a madness is it to repine against what he doth, seeing all things are as he makes them and disposeth them, nor can be otherwise ! Even the repiner himself hath his being and subsistence upon his mere pleasure. This sovereignty of God Elihu pleads in his dealings with Job, chap, xxxiii. 8-18. He apprehended that Job had rea- soned against God's severe dispensations towards him, and that he did not humble himself under his mighty hand wherewith he was exercised, nor wait for hini in a due manner; and, therefore, what doth he propose unto him to bring him unto this duty? what doth
Ver. 5,6.] god himself the object of our waiting. 627
he reply unto his reasonings and complaints? " Behold," says he, verse 12, " in this thou axt not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man." Verse 13, " Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters ;" — "Be it that in other things thou art just and innocent, that thou art free from the things wherewith thy friends have charged thee, yet in this matter thou art not just; it is neither just nor equal that any man should complain of or repine against any of God's dispensations." "Yea, but I suppose that these dealings of God are very grievous, very dreadful, such as he hath, it may be, scarce exercised towards any from the foundation of the world ; to be utterly destroyed and consumed in a day, in all relations and enjoyments, and that at a time and season when no such thing was looked for or provided against ; to have a sense of sin revived on the conscience, after pardon obtained, as it is with me." " All is one," saith he; " if thou complainest thou art not just." And what reason doth he give thereof ? Why, " ' God is greater than man ;' infinitely so in power and sovereign glory. He is so absolutely therein that ' he giveth not account of any of his matters \ and what folly, what injustice is it, to complain of his proceedings! Consider his ab- solute dominion over the works of his hands, over thyself, and all that thou hast; his infinite distance from thee, and greatness above thee; and then see whether it be just or no to repine against what he doth." And he pursues the same consideration, chap, xxxiv. 18, 19: " If when kings and princes rule in righteousness, it is a contempt of their authority to say unto them they are wicked and ungodly, then wilt thou speak against him, contend with him, ' that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.'" And, verse 29, " When 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." All is one ; whatever God doth, and towards whomsoever, be they many or few, a whole nation, or city, or one single person, be they high or low, rich or poor, good or bad, all are the works of his hands, and he may deal with them as seems good unto him. And this man alone, as God afterward declares, made use of the right and proper mediums to take off Job from complain- ing, and to compose his spirit to rest and peace, and to bring him to wait patiently for God. For whereas his other friends injuriously charged him with hypocrisy, and that he had in an especial manner, above other men, deserved those judgments of God which he was exercised withal; he, who was conscious imto his own integrity, was only provoked and exasperated by their arguings, and stirred up to plead his own innocency and uprightness. But this man, allowing him the plea of his integrity, calls him to the consideration of the