(2.) As to the special form of this duty, there are two words wherein it is expressed, and both of the same import : for in one place it is rendered, " commending;" in another, " committing," Luke xxiii. 46, and Ps. xxxi. 5. But it is a re-commending or commit- ting, as men commit a trust. If a man lay a-dying, and had an only child, and an estate to leave him, with what solemnity would he commit him to the trust of his friend, to take care of him ! "I com- mit this poor child, who is helpless and fatherless, — I commit him to your trust," saith he, " to your love, care, and power, to look after him." He doth it with great solemnity. The psalmist calls his soul his " darling," and " only one:" " Deliver ' my darling' from the dog, and ' my only one.' " And now when a person is about to leave this world, he is to commit his soul, and leave it in trust someAvhere. Then this exercise of faith is a leaving in trust or committing our " darling," our " only one," that is departing out of this tabernacle, unto God, under the consideration of his sovereignty, power, and faithfulness. I do not yet speak unto the life of this duty; which consists in committing the trust of our souls unto God, to be dealt withal, not according to our choice, but according to the terms of the covenant of grace, let it fall where it will, to ail eternity : that is the solemn committing.
(3.) As to the manner of it, it ought to be done expressly in words that we should say to God. I do not give instructions to them who are dying, but to them that live, that they may be prepared to die. We should say to God, " Lord, I have been thus long in this world ; I have seen much variety in the outward dispensation of things in the world, but a thousand times more in the inward frame of my spirit ; and I am now leaving the world upon thy call : I am to be here no more. 0 Lord, after all, being to enter into a new, eternal state, I commit my soul unto thee,- — I leave it with thee, — I put all my trust and confidence in thy faithfulness, power, and sovereignty, to be dealt withal according to the terms of the covenant of grace. Now I can lie down in peace."
Use 2. "What benefit shall we receive hereby, if we do thus exer- cise our souls ? I answer, We shall receive these advantages : —
(1.) I know nothing that is more meet to keep our souls in a con- stant reverence of God ; which is the very life and soul of holiness and obedience. And the best profession, where this is not, is of no value. Now, nothing is more suited to this than an immediate ac- cess unto God every day (frequently at least), under the consideration of his glorious sovereignty, power, and faithfulness, as if you were
344 the christian's work of dying daily.
immediately going into his presence, and into bis hands. The more you abound in it, the greater will your reverence of God be. We have deceitful hearts, and a very crafty adversary to deal withal. We are commanded to draw nigh, and to have our access unto God with boldness, Heb. x. ; — to " come boldly to the throne of grace," Heb. iv. 16. And we should do it frequently. Now, nothing in this world is so suited to take off reverence, as boldness and frequency. Where men make bold, and where they [are] frequent, — as in a multitude of duties many are bold and frequent, — it works off the reverence of God. That is carnal boldness. But the more frequently you make your accesses unto God with spiritual boldness, the more will your hearts be filled with a reverence of God continually. And the more frequently you make your approaches unto God in outward duties without this holy and humble reverence, whatever your gifts be, re- verence of God will decay. What poor, slight, withering things, have I seen some men grow to be, under a fair outward conversation, and multiplication of duties ! And you may take this measure with you in all your duties ; — if they increase a reverence of God, they are from grace; if they do not, they are from gifts, and no way sanctify the soul wherein they are.
(2.) It will support us under all our sufferings. The soul that is accustomed to this exercise of faith, will not be greatly moved in any of its sufferings. The Lord knows we are all moved and shaken, — and ready to be so, sometimes, very unhandsomely and unduly, — as the leaves of the forest ; but it will keep us from being greatly moved. " I shall not be greatly moved," saith the psalmist. And elsewhere it is enjoined, " Let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to God, as unto a faithful Creator." This will support you under all your sufferings. It is the very case and state in Ps. xxxi., from whence I have taken my principal testi- mony: " Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed," etc. " For I have heard the slander of many ; fear was on every side : while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life." What course doth he then take in all these distresses, sufferings, and persecutions ? Why, saith he, " I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand." He makes a resignation of himself to the sovereignty of God, and so was at peace.