II. God's compassionate regard towards them —
God is never more concerned about his people than when they are " in heaviness through manifold temp- tations:" nor will he merely afford them succour, but will himself be to them,
1. A suitable help —
[As the trials of the saints are various, so, of course, must their necessities be also : but whatever it be that they need, they shall surely receive it out of the Redeemer's fulness. Is it a sense of guilt that oppresses them ? God will " apply to their lips a live coal froni the altar, and say, Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged '^." Are they bowed down under a weight of persecution, and destitute of human aid ? He will strengthen them in their inward man, that they shall even re- joice in being counted worthy to suffer for his sake'. Are they buffeted by Satan ? He will clothe them with armour, whereby they shall be enabled to resist him manfully, and to bruise him under their feet™. And has he himself forsaken them? It shall be but for a little moment", that they may learn when in darkness to stay themselves on him°, and rejoice with more ex- alted joy in the renewed expressions of his love. Thus it is intimated in the text itself, that whether it be strength or pro- tection, or whatever else, that we want, he will surely impart it to us.]
2. A seasonable help —
[God may suffer his people to lie a considerable time under their afflictions : but in the very instant that he sees it best to interpose, he will come to their support. This is not only intimated in the parable of the Importunate Widow, but absolutely promised, as a deduction from that parable ; *' Shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he hear long ivith them ? Verily I say unto you that he will avenge them speedily"^" that is, in the very best and fittest season. And how remarkably Avas this exemplified in his conduct towards Abraham ! That holy patriarch was made to go three days' journey to the mountain where he was to slay his son : he was permitted to take the wood, the fire, the knife, for the execution of the divine command ; he was even suffered to bind his son, and lift up the knife that was instantly to inflict the fatal wound ; and then it was that God stopped him by a voice from heaven. Thus in ten thousand other instances has that proverb been verified, In the mount of
k Isai. vi. 6, 7. ' Acts v. 41. 2Tim.iv. 17. "" Eph. vi. 11. n Isai. liv. 7, 8. « Isai. 1. 10. p Lukexviii. 7, 8,