1. To form them to the divine image —
[The divine image consists not in any one perfection, but in an assemblage of every perfection that can possibly be ima- gined. So the perfection of a Christian consists not in one grace, or even in one set of graces, but in a combination of all the graces which are suited to a redeemed soul, and calculated to advance the honour of our God. Now, all of these are formed
c Eph. vi. 12, 16. d Job vi. 2—4. e 2 Cor. xii. 8.
f Luke xxii. 44, 53. s Heb. xi. 36, 37. h 2 Tim. iii. 12. 1 Ps. cvi. 15. k 2 Cor. xii. 7. twice mentioned in that one verse.
\>y that variety of dispensations of which wehave been speaking. The workings of the soul under so many different circumstances will tend to shew a man what he really is, and consequently to humble him in the dust before God : whilst the dealings of God
with him will wonderfully display the character of God himself, and lead forth the soul in the desoiilest acknowledgments to him for past mercies, and in the most implicit confidence in him for future blessings. In a word, all the actiw and passive virtues will he generated in the SOul, and he called forth into united and harmonious exercise; so that l>\ these dispensations the. Believer will he assimilated unto " God, who is light itself, and in whom is no darkness at all1."]
2. To stimulate them in (heir way to glory — | Mercies have a tendency to (ill the soul with love to God,
and to make it pant for the lull enjoyment of God in heaven. Judgments also operate tO the same end, by weaning the soul from present things, and causing it to long for that rest which remaineth for it in a better world. It was not peculiar to the Apostle Paul to "desire to depart, and to be with Christ." Every one who feels the vanity of earthly things, and has a foretaste Of the world to come, will he like-minded with him. A (VearineSS of life may he fell, and is often felt, by the most
ungodly of men. That, therefore, is not the experience which
I am speaking of: tltttt results from a total ignorance of God's mercies, ami a dissatisfaction with their appointed lot. The state of mind to which 1 refer, is well expressed hy St. Paul, when he says, " We that are in this t.ihernacle do groan, being burthened: not tlnil ire would be unclothed, but clothed upon,
that mortality may be swallowed up of life"1." To the voice of
Christ, saying, "Behold, ' come quickly," it responds with joyful confidence; " Kvcn so, come, Lord Jesus"!"]
Whilst they answer such ends as these, we cannot
but sec,
111. The light in which they should invariably be viewed —
The saints in every age have acknowledged the goodness of God in them —
[David, in my text, speaks of judgment, as well as mercy,
as the ground 01 his devoutest acknowledgments. And he elsewhere not only declares that "it is good for him to have
been afflicted0," but traces his afflictions to the faithfulness of
God'; evidently intimating, thai he regarded them as compre- hended iii the covenant of grace, and as promised, so far as
1 1 John i. 5, »' '2 Cor. v. I. " Rev. xxii. '20.
0 Ps. cxix. 71. P Ps. cxix. 75,