But in all such cases there is abundant consolation, if only we use,
II. The remedy prescribed —
The remedy is both simple in itself, and invari- ably efficacious : " Commit your works unto the Lord"—
[Believing that God both knows your trials, and is willing to afford you the help you need, carry them to him, and spread them before him, as Hezekiah did the letter of blaspheming Rabshakeh'*. Then plead his promises, which are so " ex- ceeding great and precious ;" and " roll on him^" your entire burthen, assured that " he will sustain youV' and accomplish your most enlarged desires f^. Tliis is the direction given to every living man '^ : and,]
In the performance of this duty you will find effec- tual relief —
[Nothing can be more fluctuating than the thoughts of men, especially in seasons of great embarrassment. But the very instant we commit our works to God, "our thoughts" become composed, and peaceful, and " established." God has taught us to expect this ' : and to what an extent he fulfils his word, we may see in Hezekiah ; who, from a state of the most extreme distress, was filled in an instant with the liveliest joy and most confident exultation'^ ]
Observe, then, with humble and adoring gratitude,
1. How exalted are the privileges of the true Chris- tian !
[It is your privilege. Brethren, to be " without careful- ness V' both in relation to your temporal concerns "*, and even in respect to your immortal sovds". All your care, whether for the one and the other, should " be cast on God, who careth for you "." Then, though you will have many trials to bear, yovi shall be able to say with Paid, " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed?." Be your trials what they may, " you shall be more than con- querors over all."]
^ Isai. xxxvii. 14. « gge the marginal reading. ^ Ps. Iv. 22.
s Ps. Ixxxi. 10. '' Ps. xxxvii. 5. and the margin there.
' Phil. iv. 6, 7. and Isai. xxvi. 3.
^ Isai. xxxvii. 3, 22, 33. See also Ps. xl. 1—3.
• 1 Cor. vii. 32. '" Matt. vi. 25—34. « 2 Tim. i. 12.
° 1 Pet. V. 7. P 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9.