[Persons are apt to form their judgment on very inade- quate grounds. Any one who should have seen the two defeats of Judah, would be ready to conclude, that the cause for which victory had decided, was the right: but we are not to judge from events : righteousness is not always triumphant in this world : it may be oppressed ; and the supporters of it may be trodden under foot: but there is a time when God will vindi- cate his own cause, and evince the equity of all his dispensa- tions. The unalterable word of God must be our only rule of judgment in every thing : if we suffer in following that, let us not doubt the goodness of our cause, but betake ourselves to fasting and prayer, and, above all, to that great Sacrifice which was once offered for sin. Then, though suffering, we shall reap good to our souls ; and, though vanquished now, we shall surely triumph at last.]
3. An unreserved submission to the King of Israel —
[This is true happiness : this once attained, no enemy can hurt us, no occurrence can disturb our peace. " I wiU keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me, because he trusteth in me." O that we were all brought to surrender up ourselves unfeignedly to him ! Whether we will submit to him or not, " God has set him as his King upon his holy hill of Zion;" and " He will reign, till all his enemies be put under his feet." " Kiss the Son then, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way :" and " let every imagination that is contrary to his will be cast down, and every thought be brought into cap- tivity to the obedience of Christ."]