their distresses arise. Their apprehensions about God have the same effect on them as if they were founded in truth : and it often happens, that a man's whole life is embittered by fears, which the restoration of bodily health would remove at once. It seems probable that David, whose experience, under all the diversified circumstances of his life, is so fully recorded in the Psalms, had somewhat of this trial also; for, under the united pressure of bodily and mental disease, he doubted whether he should ever be restored to a sense of the Divine favour s. But, at all events, it is desirable that they who have to deal with troubled consciences, should be aware that this apparently religious depression is often little more than a bodily disorder ; and that they should in many such cases recommend a physi- cian for the body, as the most likely means of curing, what, to an ignorant observer, would appear a disease of the soul.]
From hearing Zion's complaint against God, let us turn our attention to,
II. The consolatory reply of God to her —
God desiring that his people should be filled with " strong consolation," has given them such assurance of his care and love, as shall be abundantly sufficient to dissipate all their fears, if only they rely on his word. That no part of his address to them may escape our notice, let us consider,
1. The assurance that he gives them —
[Let the Church's complaint be borne in mind ; because to that his answer is immediately directed. She had said, " The Lord hath forsaken me ; my Lord hath forgotten me." To this he answers, " I will not forget thee;" or, as it is most tenderly expressed in another part, " O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me'." Assertions to the same effect occur in numberless other passages of Scripture, and under a variety of forms u : but no where is it made with greater force than in the passage before us. He appeals to us respecting the care of earthly parents over their offspring. A father is repre- sented as full of pity towards his suffering child x, and as sparing with affectionate regard his duteous sony. It is even taken for granted, that a parent cannot disregard, and much less mock, the necessities of his child, " giving him a stone when he asks for bread, or a scorpion, when he desires an cggz." And, if a father cannot act thus, how much less can a
s Ps. vi. 1—7. * Isai. xliv. 21.
o 1 Sam. xii. 22. Heb. xiii. 5, 6. Mai. ii. 16. Rom. xi. 29.
x Ps. ciii. 13. >r Mai. iii. 17. z Matt. vii. 9—1 1.