will it tend to the peace and composure of our own spirits. It is as unprofitable to us as it is unjust towards him. True wis- dom would teach us to humble ourselves in his presence, and to renew our supplications with greater earnestness. This conduct is as sure to succeed, as the other is to fail of success^.]
It manifests the most ohst'mate impenitence —
[Both sins and sorrows ought to produce humility. When they increase our rebellion, our state is almost desperated How awfully does such a temper characterize God's enemies™! and make us resemble those that are consigned over to per- dition " ! Surely nothing more heinous can be laid to our charge, nor any thing more speedily fit us for destruction.]
It evinces the most consummate arrogance —
[To fret and murmur is, in fact, to reprove God. God himself considers it as a direct attack upon him"; and can any thing be more presumptuous in such worms as we? St. Paul reprobates this impiety with holy indignation i', and every one who allows himself in it, must answer it at his peril 'i.]
We conclude with suitable advice —
1. Let us search into the occasions of our sins and sorrows —
[We may be surprised into sin by a sudden temptation, but may trace our fall to preceding unwatchfulness ; nor can we expect God to keep us, if we neglect to keep ourselves. We are rarely earnest enough in using the means of safety. We are too backward to meditation, prayer, and fasting. Our afflictions also may have come without any misconduct on our part : but who has not merited them by his sins ? Men should only be considered as instruments in God's hands'" : and the consideration of his will should silence every murmur®.]
2. Let us always be careful to justify God —
[We may not always be able to account for his dispensa- tions, but we should not on that account doubt the equity of them : whatever we suffer, we should not " charge God fool- ishly." Under the darkest dispensations we should say as the Psalmist*. If we wait we shall see the wisdom of many things which now seem utterly inexplicable ; we may rest assured that David's assertion shall be verified".]
3. Let us see what improvement may be made of our troubles —
"^ Prov. xxviii. 13. ^ Isai. i. 5. "" Rev. xvi. 9.
n Matt. viii. 12. « Mai. iii. 13, 14. p Rom. ix. 20.
q Job xl. 2. >■ Ps. xvii. 13, 14. « 2 Sam. xvi. 10.
t Ps. xxii, 2, 3. " Ps. 11. 4.