Let us, then, learn from hence,
1. Submission to God's will —
[We may have been brought into circumstances of the most afflictive nature : but we should remember who it is that ordereth all things, even to the falling of a sparrow upon the ground. Men and devils may be labouring for our de- struction : and God may suffer them to proceed to the very utmost extremity, till, like the murderers of our Lord, they may exult in, what appears to them, the full attainment of
^ 1 Tim. i. 12 — 16. " Philem. ver. 15.
o Isai. xlv. 15. P Job xi. 7 — 9.
their purpose ; but God says to all of them, " Hitherto shalt thou come, and no farther." True it is that " His way is in the sea, and his footsteps are not knowni;" but you must never forget, that though " clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the basis of his throned" "What he does, you may not at present know: but you shall know hereafter^:" and you may be sure that at the last you shall add your testimony to that of all his saints, " He hath done all things well'." Your way may be circui- tous, and attended with great difficulties : but you will find, at last, that it was " the right way"," the way most conducive to your best interests, and most calculated to advance his glory. Let us, then, wait to " see the end of the Lord^;" and, under all circumstances, say, " It is the Lord ; let him do what seemeth him good."]
2. Affiance in his word —
[There is light sufficient : there we see what God will most assuredly accomplish. There may a2)pear to be a dis- cordance between the word and works of God ; but they will be found to harmonize at last: " nor shall one jot or tittle of his word ever fail." Lay hold, then, on the promises of God : rest on them : plead them at the throne of his grace : and expect the accomplishment of them in due season. But be not impatient under any delays: " If the vision tarry, wait for it;" assured that " it will not tarry" beyond the appointed time^. Never, under any circumstances, say, " All these things are against me ; " because God has promised that " they shall all work together for your good^." But, conceive of a soul just liberated from the body, and from the throne of God looking back upon the way in which it has been brought thither; with what admiration will it then be filled ! and what praises will it pour forth on account of the dispensations which till now it was not able to unravel ! This should now be the posture of your soul. Most safely may you trust in God, to the full extent of his promises : for, whatever difficulties may lie in his way, " His counsel shall stand ; and He will do all his will."]
<i Ps. Ixxvii. 19. '^ Ps. xcvii. 2. ^ John xiii, 7.
t Mark vii. 37. " Ps. cvii. 7. ^ James v. 11.
y Hab. ii. 3. ^ Rom. viii. 28.