have been tried in one way, and others in another ; some for a
longer, and others for a shorter period ; some in mind
some in body some in estate Even those who
have been most favoured in this respect, have found abundant reason to acknowledge, that " this is not our rest." To the young and inexperienced, the world appears a garden abound- ing with delights : but on a fuller acquaintance with it we find, that its roses have their thorns ; and even its choicest delicacies often prove occasions of the sorest pain. " Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward."]
As, from our general notions of God's goodness, we might have expected that his dealings with his people would have been different from what we find them to be, let us inquire into,
II. His end and design in them —
The reasons here assigned for his dispensations towards the Jews, will afford us a clew for discover- ing his intentions towards ourselves. He diversifies his dispensations towards us,
1. To humble us —
[Were our mercies altogether unmixed, we should know nothing of the effect of judgments on the rebellious will of man : and if there were no intermission of adversity, we should be strangers to the effect of prosperity upon the carnal heart: but by the variety of states which we pass through, we are led to see the total depravity of our nature ; since we can be in no state whatever, wherein the mind does not shew itself alienated from God, and averse to bear his yoke. We are apt to think that a change of circumstances would produce in us a change of conduct: but, as a person in a fever finds no posture easy, nor any food pleasant to his taste, so we, through the corruption of our hearts, find all situations alike unproductive of a permanent change in our dispositions towards God. " We are bent to backslide from him, even as a broken bow ; " and every change of situation only serves to establish that melancholy truth, that " the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." To convince us of this is the first work of God upon the sould, and the first object of all his dispensations."]
2. To prove us —
[It is easy to obey God at some times and in some respects, in comparison of what it is at other times and in other respects. God therefore puts us into a variety of situations, to try whether
d John xvi. 8.