from him ! — ' — — and, lastly, unchanging faithfulness de- manding on his behalf the accomplishment of all the pro- mises ! The consideration of these things must of ne- cessity check every desponding fear, and constrain him to ex- claim, *' Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God "".'* And every one who can realize this one consideration, has within himself an antidote for every fear, and a balm for every wound,]
Address,
1 . Those who know little of David's experience — [The generality of those who are called Christians would
be ready to despise any one who should express himself like the inspired Psalmist. They would suppose that he was under the influence of a weak deluded mind. But let them not congratu- late themselves on their fancied superiority; for they only betray their own ignorance °. Let them rather seek to know themselves, that, being made sensible of their destitute condition, they may be made rich in Christ Jesus".]
2. Those whose feelings are like his —
[While you are complaining of your poverty, God is saying, " But thou art rich p." The truth is, that the more we are sensible of our guilt and helplessness, the more ready God is to help and deliver us : " The hungry he filleth with good things ; but the rich he sends empty away." Indeed he paints the most destitute condition that can be imagined, on purpose that he may administer consolation to us under if. If any then be cast down as though there were no hope, let them plead with him as David did ^ : and they shall soon find, by happy experience, that ^' God's thoughts and ways as far exceed ours, as the heavens are above the earth ^"] *
•" Ps. xlii. 11. " Rev. iii. l7.withMic. iv. 12.
» I Cor. i. 30. P Rev, li. 9, *> Isai. xli. 17, 18.
' Ps. cxiii. 1—7.
* See Ps. Ixxii. 12, 13. which may be illustrated by Jona.h i, 6, 15. & ii. 1 — 10,
* If this were a subject for a Charily Serviov, the Jpplicaiion should be altered, and another substituted, recommending the audi- ence to imitate God by thinking of the distresses of their fellow- creatures*