Ps. Ixi. 2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
IN whatever situation we be, we shall find both consolation in the promises, and direction in the examples, that are recorded for our use in the Sacred Writings. But in seasons of affliction principally, will the holy Oracles be found precious, because they
exhibit to us God's dearest children in similar cir- cumstances, and point out to us the means, which they, in their troubles, found effectual for their relief. In recommending the example of David, we shall,
I. Mention some seasons wherein our hearts are apt
to be overwhelmed —
This is a vale of tears to all : but to some more especially,
1. From temporal calamities —
[Bodily pains, loss of friends % embai*rassed circumstances, will weigh down the spirits even of the best. And though, at times, religion will enable them to triumph in the midst of all their tribulations, yet its more common operation is, to mode- rate their grief, to produce resignation in their souls, and to sanctify the affliction to their spiritual advancement.]
2. From spiritual troubles —
\Th.eJirst convictions of penitents are often accompanied with the deepest anguish ; insomuch that, if God did not support them by a hope of his mercy, they might, like Judas, destroy themselves in utter despair. Their subsequent views also of their indwelling corruptions are frequently attended with such dejection, as quite to enervate the body and overwhelm the souP. If to these be added the hidings of God's face, the soul may have a foretaste even of hell itself in the miseries that it endures*^.]
* 3. From the near prospect of death —
[To a person enjoying the divine presence, death has no terrors'^: it is a welcome messenger, that cannot come too soon. But to one in spiritual darkness and desertion, it is in- expressibly dreadful ; and the whole world would appear but a small price to pay for the respite of a few days. The ungodly, it is true, too often die as insensible as the beasts : but the godly, who know the terrors of the Loi'd, cannot pass through that dreary valley without extreme hoiTor, unless they have an inward witness of their acceptance with God*^.]
The example in the text may serve as a model, while we endeavour to,
II. Shew how we should conduct ourselves in those
seasons —
a 2 Sam. xviii. 33. ^ Isai. xxxv. 3, 4. Rom. vii. 24.
«: Ps. Ixxvii. 2—9. N. B. ''overwhelmed:' <i Phil. i. 21, 23. « Ps. Iv. 4, 5, and perhaps Isai. xxxviii. 10 — 14.