III. The mercy we should make of his experience — • St. Paul tells us, that the mercy vouchsafed to him was intended by God for the instruction and encouragement of others ; for their instruction, that they might know how great was the long-suffering of God ; and for their encouragement, that they from so glorious an example of mercy might learn to expect the same. Thus David, speaking of this experience of his, says, *' Many shall see it, and fear, and shall put their trust in the Lord." From his experience then we may learn,
1. To use the same means —
[We are not to say, David found mercy of the Lord, there- fore I may expect the same at all events ; but, therefore I may expect the same in a diligent use of the same means. David feared ; and therefore I must " fear :" I must fear the dis- pleasure of my God : I must fear lest I be left in the horrible pit, and sink for ever in the mire of unforgiven sin. My fear also must be operative, stirring me up to earnest prayer, and sti- mulating me to " flee for refuge to the hope that is set before me." The use we are apt to make of any extraordinary displays of mercy, and which many make of the mercy vouchsafed to the penitent thief upon the cross, is to say within ourselves, God is too merciful to punish men in the eternal world : if I in a dying hour do but ask forgiveness, I also shall obtain mercy : and therefore I will not trouble myself about turning unto God, till I find, or think I find, that death is coming upon me. But let not any of us be guilty of so perverting the mercies of our God : let us '' not so despise his goodness and patience and long- suffering ; but let his goodness lead us to repentance.'* Let us say, David found deliverance by waiting patiently. I then will wait patiently also. But it was with strong crying and tears that David sought for mercy : and in that way 1 will seek it also. It was in these holy exercises too that he was so constant : and in them also will I be constant, and persevere unto the end, assured, that it is only by patient continuance in well-doing I can ever hope to obtain the desired benefits.]
2. To expect the same end — •
[We should never imagine ourselves to be in so low a state, but that God is able to deliver us from it. If, like .Tonah, we were, as to our own apprehensions, " in the belly of hell," yet from thence we should cry to him, assured that he would hear our voice, and " bring up our souls from the pit of corruption".'*
The
" Jon. ii. 2, 6.