3. He makes all things to work together for their good —
[Many dark and afflictive dispensations do they meet with ; but not one more than shall issue in their good. Under the pressure of their trials they may be ready to say, " All these things are against me : " but they shall at last see reason to con- fess, that " it is good for them that they have been afflicted." God has expressly promised, that " all things should work toge- ther for their good ; " and he sooner or later fulfils the promise, to every one that loves him, and that trusts in him. The persecu- tions of men and the temptations of Satan shall ultimately con- duce
•^ John i. 47. ^ Ps. xxxi, jp.
3B6-1 THE OpODNESS OP GOD JO ISRAEL.
duce to this end : " The wrath of men and devils shall praise him ; and the remainder of it," which would counteract his designs, " he will restrain."]
4. He has prepared for them a glorious and ever- lasting inheritance —
[To others he generally gives a greater measure of earthly wealth : but " for these he has prepared a city;" being " not ashamed to be called their God." The very hope and prospect of that far outweighs all earthly possessions ; What then must the actual enjoyment of it be ! With what emphasis do those in heaven say, " Truly God is good to Israel 1 " Well does David exclaim, " O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee ! " But we must wait till we come to heaven, before we can form any adequate idea of this glorious subject.]
Address,
1 . Those who are ignorant of God—
[You are ready to think of God only as a harsh Master, and a severe Judge : but if you knew him aright, you would cry biit, with the prophet, " How great is his goodness ! how great is his beauty ! " The fact is, that while your heart is so corrupt, you cannot form any correct judgment concerning God : your eyes are jaundiced, and you behold all his perfections, yea, and his dispensations too, under false colours : " the light shines ; but your darkness doth not apprehend it." If you would know him as he is, pray that he would " create in you a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within you." Then shall you be dis- posed to admire the justice and holiness which you now hate^ and, instead of denying his distinguishing grace, 'you will seek to obtain an interest in it^]
2. Those who are tempted to think hardly of God — • [This had been the state of the Psalmist's mind, just before
he penned this psalm : and it was on finding his error, that he abruptly exclaimed, " Truly God is good," notwithstanding all I have bcea tempted to think to the contrary. The same temptations are common with us : and when we see the ungodly triumphing and the righteous afflicted, we are ready to say, " I have cleansed my heart hi vain, and washed my hands in inno- cency." But go into the sanctuary, as David did, and then you will learn the different ends of the righteous and the wicked. Take eternity into your estimate, and the delusion will vanish; and you will see, that no state in which an ungodly man can possibly be, is any more to be compared with yours, than the twinkling of a taper is with the light and splendor of the meri- dian sun.]
' See Ps. cvi. 4, 5.
256 PSALMS, Lxxiir. l6, 17. [387.