from God. In this light, " war, famine, pestilence, and the noisome beast," are frequently mentioned ; and in this light they should be viewed. We are indeed very averse to regard them as coming from God : we are ready to ascribe them to second causes, and to overlook the first Great Cause of all : but in the Scriptures we behold them, as in the plagues of Egypt, so manifestly proceeding from a divine hand, that we cannot help referring them to God: and thus we ought to do,
whatever be the more immediate occasion of them''
David in the first and second years of famine did not behold any expression of the divine displeasure, or think of inquiring wherefore the visitation was sent : it was only when the pres- sure of the affliction was very heavy and of long continuance, that he thought of tracing the hand of God in it: had he acted in the first year as he did in the third, we have no reason to think that the judgment would have been repeated : but his blindness constrained God to repeat the stroke, till it was noticed as proceeding from him. In like manner God will con- tinue his chastisements to us, till we are made sensible that we have offended him, and provoked his just displeasure.]
Whatever be the calamities with which we are afflicted, we may learn from this history,
II. The way in which we may get them removed —
1. We should inquire into the sinful causes of them —
[David inquired of the Lord ; and was informed that the troubles now sent were visitations for sin committed by Saul long ago. The particular offence of Saul is not elsewhere noticed in the history ; nor does it appear to have been much regarded by any of the people. His cruelty to the Gibeonites indeed had been notorious ; but, as the Gibeonites were the lowest of the people, and not descended from Abraham, the oppression they endured excited no sympathy or compassion. God however resented it ; and he will resent the injuries that are done, however mean the objects may be who suffer them, or however great the tyi-ants may be who inflict them.
And, if we would inquire of the Lord, might not we find some cause for the long protracted war in which we have been engaged, and for the repeated failure in our crops of corn? Yes, many public causes may be assigned, such as the general contempt poured upon God's word, and Sabbaths, and name, and people, and, above all, upon his blessed Gospel; and every individual (for it is of individuals that the community is formed) may find in himself abundant reason for those judgments with which God has visited the land''.
^ Isai. xxvi. 11. '^ Preached in June 1812.