2. The multitude of the mercies yet continued to him —
[An ungodly man, because he is bereaved of some com- forts, will overlook all the others which he is still privileged to possess. But a real saint will think how much worse his state might have been, and how many blessings are still continued to him. He will say, My troubles are few ; but my mercies are greatly multiplied : " they are new every morning." His rest by night, his comforts by day, and, above all, his constant access to God in prayer, and the rich communications of grace and peace received from him, these things, I say, will fill him with holy gratitude, and turn all his sorrows into joy.]
3. The unchangeableness of God under all his dis- pensations—
[The saint will not regard God as an arbitrary Governor, that orders every thing from caprice; but as a covenant God, who has engaged to provide for his people whatever may con- duce to their best interests. Hence, under the pressure of his troubles, he will call to mind that God has said, He would " correct his people in measure, and not leave them altogether unpunished e." In this view, he acknowledges that " God in very faithfulness has afflicted himf." Indeed, the faithfulness of God is that which, in such seasons, he contemplates with peculiar delight : " Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my Gods."]
In opening to you these views, I wish particularly to mark,
II. The beauty of religion as displayed in them —
Philosophy will do much to produce a resignation to the will of God. Indeed, common sense teaches us that it is in vain to murmur and repine at our troubles, and that the more patiently we bear our trials, the more we diminish their force. But the views which we have been considering, produce far more exalted effects. Behold,
1. How they compose the mind —
[You see in this afflicted saint a meek submission, far different from any that philosophy can produce. Behold how
e Jer. xxx. 11. f Ps. cxix. 75.
s Ps. xlii. 5, 11. and xliii. 5. thrice. Y 2