A Bridle for the Tongue, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of the murmuring tongue.
SECT. 1. Murmuring defined: four wayes men may be guilty of this ſin.
THe next ſinne of the tongue that we ſhall ſpeak of,Definit. Murmurare eſt quere lascum impatientiâ affundere. Drexel. de vit. linguae. is the ſin of murmuring a ſin very rife in theſe dayes.
To murmure is to pour out complaints with impatience, as Drexelius defines it: to murmure ſignifyeth properly to ſpeak with a low voice, and as it were to mutter to a mans ſelf; but becauſe in ſuch a kind of ſpeaking we are wont to complain, eſpecially when we have no juſt cauſe, or when we fear his diſpleaſure of whom we complain, it cometh to paſs that murmuring is often put for complaining of one, and the accuſing of him as dealing unjuſtly with us: and in this ſignification it is often uſed in the old Teſtament, eſpecially in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, Murmurare ſignificat propriè ſubmiſſa voce loqui; Quia vero ſic ſubmiſſa voce queri ſolemus, praeſertim cum non ſatis juſtam cauſam habemus, aut ejus offenſam de qu… querimur metuimus, ſit ut murmurare admonum crebrò pro queri de aliquo, & accuſare aliquem tanquam ſecum injuſtè agentum ſignificet. Flac. Illyc. Clav. ſcrip. Murmur eſt obl… cutio indebito mod…fa…ae contra deum, vel factum alicujus. Perald. tom. 2. de pec linguae.where the many unjuſt complaints of the Iſraelites againſt God, and Moſes are largely ſet down: So likewiſe we read in the new Teſtament of the complaining of the Jewes againſt Chriſt. Luk 5. and of the Labourers againſt the Houſholder, that hired them to work in his Vineyard. Mat. 20.11. and of the Greeks againſt the Jews. Act. 6. So then murmuring is a kind of muttering, and complaining ſpeech made after an undue manner againſt God, or man.
Now men may be guilty of this ſin of murmuring many wayes.
1. When men are diſcontented and complain at the want of ſomething they would enjoy: Thus the people of Iſrael come to the waters in the wilderneſs of Shur, but they were ſo bitter they could not drink thereof; therefore the people murmureth againſt Moſes ſaying, What ſhall we drink? Exod. 15.24. Who would have thought, that ſo ſoon after ſuch a glorious deliverance as they had, that ſuch weakneſs ſhould ſhew it ſelf? So again, Chap. 16.1, 2. when they came into the wilderneſs of Sin, the whole congregation of the children of Iſrael mu…mured againſt Moſes and Aaron; they mu…mured for want of bread, ſaying, Would to God we had dyed by the hand of the Lord in the Land of Egypt, when we ſate by the fleſh pots, and did eat bread to the full! for ye have brought us forth into this wilderneſs to kill this whole aſſembly with hunger: they wiſh themſelves dead with the plagues of God with which the Egyptians dyed, ſo far were they from bleſſing God for his mercies: This ſin is very common among us; if ſome men are reſtrained of liberty, if they be touched with poverty, if they be pinched with penury, if they be ſubject to affliction and adverſity, if they be not in higheſt places, they fret, and are diſcontented with the Higheſt, as a Reverend man hath well noted.Bp. Babington in Exod. 16. Theſe are the greedy dogs ſpoken of by David, that go round the City, and wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not ſatisfied. Pſal. 59.14, 15.
2. It ſheweth it ſelf, when men are diſcontented in that ſtation wherein God hath ſet them; the former is a diſcontent for want of ſomething they would have, this is a diſcontent with what they have: of theſe Jude ſpeaks ver. 16. Theſe are murmurers, complainers, &c. diſcontented that ſome are higher then themſelves. This was the ſin of Korah and his accomplices. Numb. 16.1, 2, 3. they gathered themſelves againſt Moſes and Aaron, and ſaid unto them, Ye take too much upon you ſeeing all the congregation are Holy, &c. wherefore then lift ye up your ſelves againſt the congregation of the Lord? they grudge at Moſes his authority, ver. 13. as if he meant to be an abſolute Prince over them: they thought themſelves fit to bear a ſhare with him in the Government. Was ever Nation more obliged to a man, then this people to Moſes? did ever man carry himſelf more meekly, and more worthily then he did? but no worth can exempt him from the envy of theſe murmurers: Neither were they content to be Levites, but they affect the Prieſthood alſo. ver. 10. they grudge at Aarons office that he cometh neerer to God then they can; and are not they as good as he? but againſt theſe murmurers the Lord ſhews his diſpleaſure by two ſevere judgements: and Jude ver. 11. ſheweth that ſuch ſhall be in the laſt dayes of the world▪ that ſhall periſh in the ſame ſin of Core.
3, This ſin is manifeſt, when men without any juſt ground given, quarrell at ſome actions of others whom they love not; as the Phariſees that murmured at Chriſt for going to the houſe of Matthew the Publican, Luk. 5.30. they knew not Chriſts end in it, which was for his converſion, nor conſidered they of it, but preſently they murmur againſt him to his diſciples ſaying, why do ye eat and drink with Publicans and ſinners? you ſee what a good Maſter you have, that will keep company with any one whatſoever he be; but though Chriſt tell them the reaſon of it, ſc. that he did it for the good of their ſouls, yet hating his perſon and doctrine, they are glad at an opportunity to murmure at him, as Mathew hath it, Why eateth your Maſter with Publicans and ſinners? Mat. 9.11. and after the converſion of Zacheus, when Chriſt goeth but to his houſe, they not only murmure ſecretly, but ſpeak it openly, that he was gone in to eat with a ſinful man. Luk. 19.7. It is the property of evil natures to repine at ſome for doing, and at others for receiving good: The Scribes and Phariſees murmured at Chriſt for receiving penitent ſinners to himſelf, and at them for being received by him. Luk. 15.2. they murmure that the Phyſitian was come to viſit the ſick, that the Chyrurgeon ſhould heal the Plague, that the Shepherd ſhould bring back the affrighted ſtrayed Lamb to his dear eſteemed Flock and Fold, and that the Heavenly Schoolmaſter ſhould come to inſtruct earthly ignorant Schollars.
4. When we ſpeak not onelyonly againſt men, but againſt the Lord himſelf in our diſcontent: When the Spies brought up an evil report on the Land, which they had ſearched, all the congregation murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron, Numb. 14.3. and againſt God alſo; Wherefore hath the Lord brought us into this Land to fall by the ſword, that our wives and our children ſhould be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? and Deut. 1.27. Moſes tells them, Ye murdered in your tents, and ſayd, Becauſe the Lord hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the Land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to deſtroy us; See how raſhly they charge God himſelf, as if God had brought them out of Egypt on purpoſe to deſtroy them; and God was very ſenſible hereof; The Lord ſpake unto Moſes and Aaron, ſaying, How long ſhall I bear with this evil congregation that murmure againſt me? Numb. 14.26. This was it that Satan would have brought Job into in his great afflictions; but in all this Job ſinned not, nor charged God fooliſhly. Job. 1.22. This is one of the great ſins of theſe our dayes, therefore we have the more need to lay it to heart.
SBCT. 2. Of the greatneſs of this ſin of murmuring ſhewed in ſix things.
NOw that we may ſee the greatneſs of this ſin of murmuring, conſider how many ſins meet together in this one ſin; for there is abundance of corruption in the heart and tongue of a murmurer.
1. There is very much unbelief in murmuring; the children of Iſrael murmured againſt the Lord, and ſhewed their diſtruſt, when they wanted water, ſaying, What ſhall we drink? as though God who had done ſuch great things for them before, could not now have provided them drink? therefore they are ſaid to tempt the Lord, Exod. 17.2. and therefore the place was called Maſſah, and Meribah becauſe of their chiding with Moſes, and tempting the Lord, ſaying, Is the Lord among us? ver. 7. their unbelief makes them murmure, keeping them from conſidering the preſence of God among them, his promiſes to them, and his providence over them: The Pſalmiſt ſets forth their unbelief and murmuring thus; They ſpake againſt God, they ſaid, Can God furniſh a Table in the wilderneſs, can he provide fleſh for his people? and when God ſmote the rock, that the waters guſhed out, and the ſtreams over-flowed, yet they ſaid, Can he give bread alſo? Pſal. 78.19, 20. therefore the wrath of God was kindled againſt them, becauſe they beleeved not in God, nor truſted in his ſalvation. ver. 22.
2. This ſin ſhews, that mens hearts are more ſet upon other things then God, and the things of God, are ſet up in the place of God: other things are more ſought after for their luſts. Manna, Angels food, bread from Heaven, is deſpiſed by the Iſraelites, though it be ſuch choice food as it is deſcribed to be. Pſal. 78.24, 25. It was a ſmall round thing like Coriander-ſeed, couloured like Bdellium or wax, to be ground in mills, or pounded; of it Cakes were made, whoſe taſte was like the beſt freſh oyl, and like wafers made with honey; yet after they had enjoyed it a while, they loathed Manna, ſaying There is nothing at all beſides this Manna before our eyes; and the mixt multitude among them fell a luſting, and ſaid who ſhall give us fleſh to eat? Numb. 11.4, 5, 6. And the Apoſtle ſetting down this ſin of Theirs with Gods puniſhing of it, ſaith, Theſe things were our examples, to the intent that we ſhould not luſt after evil things, as they alſo luſted. 1 Cor. 10.6. That which accompanied this ſin of murmuring was their luſting, and murmurers are ſaid to walk after their own luſts. Jude. ver. 16.
3. It is alwayes accompanyed with unthankfulneſs; murmurers are utterly forgetful of all that the Lord doth for them: the Jews were perpetually unthakful, and therefore ever and anon in a murmuring poſture; they were as ungrateful for all the bene…s they received, as if God had …ne nothing for them,Willet Comment. in Exod. as One …ll noteth; though they had great …perience of Gods power and good…ſs, yet becauſe in every thing they …ve not what they do deſire, there…re they ſlight and undervalue all …ods bleſſings, though God gives …em ſuch choice mercies which their …athers knew not of; murmuring …earts rob God of the honour that is …ue to him for his choiceſt favours,Qui murmu at, ingratus eſt deo que autem ingra…us eſt deo, blaſphemus eſt. Drexel. de vit. linguae. …xtenuating his greateſt bleſſings: he …hat murmureth is unthankful to God; …nd he that is unthankful to God, is a …laſphemer, ſaith Drexelius.
4. Murmuring is a token of a proud …eart; there is much pride in murmu…ing; therefore the patient in ſpirit, …re ſet by the ſpirit of God in oppoſi…ion to the proud in ſpirit. Eccleſ. 7.8. An humble ſoul will be ſatisfied with Gods dealings, and is no carver …n the afflictions which he ſuffereth: he quietly beareth whatſoever God layeth upon him, acknowledging wi… Ezra, that howſoever God deal w… him, yet it is leſs then he hath deſerv… ▪ Murmurers are apt to ſnarl at … hand that ſtrikes them, to make r… flex acts of their ſufferings, to thi… their burden too great, and the ti… of their ſuffering too long; therefo… they forbear not God himſelf as if … had dealt but hardly with them.
5. Murmuring makes men to co… troul the wiſdom of God, as if the… were wiſer then God, and could mannage affairs better then he: that this a… ſo, conſider the ſtory of Job; thoug… the devil laboured to bring him to … yet he did not charge God fooliſhly▪ whereby it is plain that thoſe who d… murmure againſt Gods dealings, d… charge God with folly. When Job di… ſhew ſome impatience through h… temptation, Bildad ſaith thus unt… him, he teareth himſelf in his anger▪ ſhall the earth be forſaken for thee? an… ſhall the rock be removed out of hi… place? Job 18.4. The ſtate of the controverſy between Job and his …ds, was about Gods providence, … the diſpenſations of juſtice: his …ds ſaid, that good men were bleſt, … men pun…ſhed by God; hence …auſe of the greatneſs of Job's ſuf…ngs they tax him for an hypocrite; … becauſe they aſſerted that evil …n ſuffered evil things, and withall …erved Job's impatience under his …ferings, therefore ſaith Bildad, Shall … earth be forſaken for thee?Mercer. ad Job 18.4. that … thinkeſt thou that God will change … courſe and method in governing …e world? ſhall the wiſdom of God, … brought to thee for thy direction? …ou mayſt as well hope that the …arth ſhall be forſaken, and the Rock … moved out of his place: when thou …eſt God change the courſe of his …rovidence, then mayſt thou expect …, and not before; he that murmu…eth would teach God knowledge.
6. Murmuring controuleth the ju…tice of God; as if Gods wayes were …ery unequal. Qui in poenis murmurat, ferientis juſtiam accuſat. Ediſca… non murmurare, qui mala patitur etiamſi ignoret cur mala patitur: per hoc enim quiſquis ſe juſte pati arbitra…e poteſt quia ab illo judicatur, cujus judicia nunquam ſunt injuria. Iſidor.He that m… mureth at Gods puniſhments, … any juſt puniſhment, accuſeth the … ſtice of him that puniſheth: Whe… he that ſuffereth affliction, ſhould l… not to murmure, although he know… the cauſe of his ſuffering, becauſe ev… man ſhould think he ſuffereth juſt… ſeeing he is judged of him whoſe judg… ments are never unjuſt; and if th… ſhouldeſt object at any time that th… art puniſhed without a cauſe, y… know that thou haſt deſerved as mu… in other cauſes which thou thinke… not of: Yet ſuppoſe that thou wert a… together blameleſs in that reſpe… well may he once afflict thee for … cauſe, that hath freed thee from many deſerved puniſhments.
SECT. 3. …ve aggravatinns of the ſin of murmuring.
…ve Now come to conſider the many aggravations of this ſin of mur…ring.
1. It is a high piece of vanity and …ly to murmure at any of Gods diſ…nſations; and God at one time or o…er will ſhew ſuch men their folly. …hoſe that murmure againſt Gods …ovidences, are like the Eremite that …olcot ſpeaks of, that alwayes deſired …hat weather he thought beſt for the …erbs in his Garden, and ſtill he had … in that exceſs that nothing proſpe…ed that he ſowed therein, and lament…g his ill ſucceſs to his friend,… in lib. … 9 he an…wered him thus, Putabas te ſapienti…rem deo, & ipſe oſtendit tibi fatuita…em tuam. thou thoughteſt thy ſelf wi…er then God, and he hath ſhewed thee …hy folly: Ordinarily men extoll the …heapneſs of former times, their great hoſpitality, their kind nei… bourhood, their honeſt deal▪ their skilful workmanſhip, their li… rall almsdeeds, their devout pi… ▪ their deep wiſdom,Cotton expoſit. in Eccleſ. 7. their valiant … The Papiſts think it was a bet… world under their Religion then o… Heathens thought the Empire flo… riſhed more under the worſhip of J… piter, then under Chriſtian Religio… ▪ Multitudes of people now adayes a… apt to ſay, Such times, and ſuch day… were better then theſe; and this is … want of judgement to diſcern of th… times; but God ſeeth theſe times … be fitteſt for us. Say not thou, ſait… Solomon, What is the cauſe that the former duyes were better then theſe? f… thou doſt not enquire wiſely concerning this. Eccleſ. 7.10. Were it not fo… mens wickedneſs, the times would not be ſo bad as they are: Murmurers are like boyes that turn round about till their ſenſes being turned, they imagine all things to turn round with them.
2. Conſider what good ye can do …ur ſelves by your murmuring; …hriſt ſaith concerning carking cares, …hich of you by taking thought can add …e cubit to your ſtature? Mat. 6.27. … I ſay, what advantage is it to you … murmure againſt Gods dealings? … who can make that ſtraight which … hath made crooked? ſaith the wiſe …an. Eccleſ. 713? It is a vain thing …erefore to quarrel at Gods provi…ence. Iſai. 8.21. or to imagine we …n redreſs any evils by our own wiſ…om: no, it is God alone who can …ake ſtraight that which is crooked, …oth in the hearts, eſtates, and wayes …f men; who then ſhall ſay unto the Lord, What doſt thou?
3. By murmuring men loſe the …omfort and ſweetneſs of all their …njoyments; all that they have doth …hem no good at all, they are ſo diſcontented for ſome one thing that they want. Ahab prizeth not a kingdom while he wanteth Naboths poor vineyard; and Haman that under King Ahaſuerus governed 127 Provinces, too no content in the glory of his riche… nor in the multitude of his childre… nor in all the things wherein the Kin… had promoted him, nor in all his advancement above the Princes and ſe… vants of the King; all this, The whole duty of man. pa…tit. 7.ſaith he availeth me nothing, ſo long as I ſe… Mordecai the Jew ſitting at the King… gate E,ſt. 5.11, 12, 13. If, as the Pſalmiſt ſaith, it be a joyful and pleaſant thing to be thankful;Bur Jewel of conten…. then on the contrary, it is a ſad and unpleaſant thing to be murmuring. One obſerveth concerning Manna, when the people were contented with Gods allowance, then it was very good; but when they would not be content therewith, but would gather more then he would have them, then worms grew in it: ſo when we are content with our condition, there is a bleſſing in it, then it is ſweet to us; but if we muſt needs have more, and will keep it longer then God would have us enjoy it, then ſome worm or other will corrupt it that it will do us no good at all.
4. See how God eſteemeth of this ſin of murmuring. It is call'd in Scripture by the name of Rebellion: We read Numb. 16.41. that on the morrow after the death of Corah and his companions, all the Congregation murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron, ſaying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord; they all murmured; now in the next Chapter ver. 10. the Lord ſaid unto Moſes, Bring Aarons rod again before the teſtimony to be kept for a token againſt the Rebels: So that to be a murmurer, is to be a Rebel againſt God; to have a murmuring heart, is to have a heart riſing againſt the Lord: a general diſcontent and murmuring …n a Nation is uſually the fore-runner of rebellion, and murmuring is the root of rebellion againſt God, and ſo the Lord accounted it. Gregory ſaith,Murmurantes dicuntur intrare in judicium cum Deo. Gregor. in Pſal. 7. that murmurers do enter into judgement with God: he is a very bad Souldier that followes his General grudging, …nd murmuring, ſaith Seneca; Malus eſt miles, qui Imperatorem ſequitur gemens. Seneca.and he is as bad a Chriſtian that that cannot look at Gods diſpenſations without murmuring at them.
5. By murmuring men loſe the benefit that they might reap by every paſſage of D vine providence that they meet withal: God brought Iſrael into many ſtraits in the wilderneſs to humble them, and to prove them to know what was in their heart; this was Gods end in it. Deut. 8.2. Hereby alſo he tryed whether they would keep his commandements or no: but this being not conſidered by them, every turn they murmure againſt him, and ſay, Is the Lord among us? God ſaw their prid…; therefore ſaith he, ver. 3. he humbled thee, and ſuffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with Manna which thou kneweſt not, neither did thy Fathers know, that he might make thee to know, that man liveth not by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord: God kept them 40 years in the deſert, and brought them into ſore ſtraits to humble them; elſe they would have been apt to have ſaid, that their Righteouſneſs had procured ſuch and ſuch things for them; but ver. 16. God did exerciſe them with many trialls to humble them; and that he might prove them, and do them good in their latter end, that they might ſee what great ſins were in their hearts: murmuring is a ſin that men are very prone to upon every thing that croſſeth their wills, their humours, their judgements: very often did the children of Iſrael commit this ſin; Concerning the divers murmurings of this people, Jerom numbers them to have bin ten: The firſt when the Egyptians purſued them, Exod. 14. the ſecond & third for want of water, Exod. 17. the fourth & fifth about Manna when they kept it untill the morning, and gathered upon the Sabbath, Exod. 16.Hieron. de 10. tentat. the ſixth murmuring was for fleſh. Exod. 16. and the ſeventh for fleſh likewiſe. Numb. 11.4. the eighth for Moſes abſence when they made the Golden calf; the ninth when they tempted God in fighting againſt the Amalekites being forbidden. Numb. 14. the tenth upon the return of the ſpies that were ſent to ſearch the Land of Canaan; but if all their murmurings be ſummed up,Dr. Willet in Exod. 15. they will be found to be many more, as a learned Divine of ours hath well noted,
SECT. 4. The Remedies againſt this ſin of murmuring.
NOw that we may avoid this ſin of murmuring,The Jew ſh Targum obſerveth, that the Sepent did not murmur for his Curſe, On thy Belly ſhalt thou go, and duſt ſhalt thou ear all the dayes of thy life. Yet although God gave the Jews Manna from Heaven, they murmured, they were worſe then the very ſerpent, then the very devils Targ. Hieroſ. in Nu. I ſhall lay down the remedyes againſt it,
1. Be perſwaded to ſit down and conſider what our ſins have deſerved; this will be a ſpecial means to keep us from this ſin: Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the puniſhment of his ſins? it is a murmuring complaint that the Holy-Ghoſt ſpeaks againſt, and ſo it is in the Margin, Wherefore doth he murmure? Lam. 3.39. Oh that God would ſhew thee the ſecrets of wiſdom! that they are double to that which is: know therefore that God exacteth of thee leſs then thine iniquity deſerveth, Job 11.6. Zophar firſt prayes for Job, that God would ſhew him ſome of the ſecrets of his wiſdom in the way of his providence; then he adviſeth him to conſider, that though the hand of God was heavy upon him, yet God exacteth leſs of him then his ſin deſerved: Now the conſideration of this will be enough to ſilence all our murmurings; for 1. By this means we ſhall be enabled to ſee that there is very much of mercy in the greateſt afflictions that befall us in this life: notwithſtanding the affl ctions of the Church (mentioned in the book of the Lamentations, Chap. 1, & 2.) were ſo great, that the Prophet could not parallel their caſe with any people under Heaven; yet for all this, ſaith the Church, Lam. 3.22, 23. It is of the Lords mercies that we are not conſumed, becauſe his compaſsions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulneſs. She obſerveth much mercy in this ſeverity; ſo that when a man cometh to ſuch a ſight of his ſins as this; when he ſeeth that he hath deſerved nothing but to be caſt out into hell, and to have no other portion; then whatſoever diſpenſation he lieth under in this life, he can look upon it (by the ſpirit of grace) to be a great mercy. 2. By this means we ſhall come to look upon the leaſt of Gods favours, and highly to prize the leaſt of the mercyes we enjoy: Ezra bleſſeth God for that deliverance they had, and that they were eſcaped with their lives; though they were in very great diſtreſs; yet they ſee what they had deſerved, and therefore it is they ſo highly prize this deliverance. Ezra 9.13, 15 If you will know what their condition was then, read Nehem. 9.36.37. Behold, we are ſervants this day, & for the Land thou gaveſt unto our Fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof; Behold we are ſervants in it, and it yieldeth much encreaſe unto the Kings whom thou haſt ſet over us, becauſe of our ſins: alſo they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle at their pleaſure, and we are in great diſtreſs; yet for all this, when they conſider what their ſins have deſerved, all their miſery is eſteemed but ſmall, compared with the leaſt mercy they do enjoy at the hands of God. 3. Hereby we ſhall come to acknowledge the Lord to be righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his works, in all his p…ovidential diſpenſations: This is the reaſon of mens murmuring againſt God, becauſe they think Gods wayes are not equal; but when a man cometh to conſider his own deſerts, he juſtifieth the Lord, and acknowledgeth him to be righteous in all his dealings. Lam. 1.10. ad 18. The Church calls upon all to take notice of her miſery. ver. 12. not to murmure, but to conſider wherefore the Lord hath afflicted her; though her calamity is very great, yet ſhe juſtifieth God, and condemneth her ſelf. The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled againſt his commandement. ver. 18. This will make a ſoul ſilent before the Lord, and not dare to open his mouth againſt him; yea it will enable a man quietly to ſit down under Gods diſpenſatious, be they never ſo ſevere: If their uncircumciſed hearts be humbled, and they accept of the puniſhment of their ſins, then will I remember my covenant, ſaith the Lord. Levit. 26.41, 42.
2. If we would be kept from murmuring, let us take notice of Gods hand in all that cometh upon us; from whoſe hand it is that all the miſe…yes come upon us, that at any time do befall us: Let us not be looking at the inſtruments, but let our hearts be raiſed up to look at the hand of God in all: when men look at Inſtruments and no further, they are very apt to fall into this ſin: but the more we eye Gods hand in it, the more our hearts …all be kept from murmuring: Thus …d David when Shimei railed againſt …m: Let him alone, ſaith he; It may be …d hath bid him curſe David; not …at God did bid him to cu…ſe him; …at God will make uſe of his vile …ngue to try the faith, meekneſs, and …atience of David; this was it that re…rained the complaints of this holy …an. Pſal. 39.6. I was dumb, I open…d not my mouth, becauſe thou didſt it. … we look at Gods hand in all condi…ons, we ſhall draw much good from …; if it be proſperity, it will make us …hankful; if adverſity, it will make us …atient and humble.
3. To be preſerved from Murmu…ing, let us conſider that, That is beſt …or us, which God in his wiſdom …hinketh fit to lay upon us: Thus it was with Hezekiah, when Iſaiah brings him ſuch ſad tidings from the Lord, concerning his poſterity; he ſaid Good is the word of the Lord which thou haſt ſpoken. Iſai. 39.8. He looketh upon that condition to be beſt, which God thinks fit to bring upon him though his Sons muſt be captive in … ſtrange Land, yet he knoweth God can do them more good by it, then … they ſhould wear the Crown in thei… own Land; and he acknowledgeth i… a good token of Gods favour to him, that peace and truth ſhould be in his dayes. 2 King. 20.18, 19.
4. If we have murmuring tongues, God hath an ear to hear all our murmurings, and he doth not take notice of them only againſt Inſtruments, but takes them as ſpoken againſt himſelf. Exod. 16.6, 7. The people of Iſrael murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron; but ſay they to the People,Irenae…s calleth murmurers ora Diaboli. Irenaeus. lib. 12. cap. 12. In the morning ye ſhall ſee the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings againſt the Lord: and what are we that ye murmure againſt us? ver. 7, and ver. 8. the Lord heareth your murmurings againſt the Lord; and what are we that ye murmure againſt us? You murmure not ſo much againſt us, as againſt the Lord: So, albeit we think ill of …he inſt…uments of our afflictions, and …urmure aga…nſt them; yet it is againſt …he Lord, and he heareth our murmu…ng, and will puniſh it. How often did …od bring ſore judgements upon the Jewes for their murmu…ings? there…ore the Apoſtle gives us a Caveat to …ake heed of murmuring:1 Cor. 10.10. neither murmure ye, as ſome of them alſo murmu…ed, and were deſtroyed of the deſtroyer; which ſome think to be the fiery ſer…ents that were ſent among them: …hey murmured, and God ſent fiery …erpents to ſting them▪ ſo St. James …aith, Grudge not one againſt another brethren, leſt ye be condemned; Regnum cae…orum nemo qui murmurat, acc…p…. …émo qui decipit, murmurare poteſt. Gregor.behold the Judge ſtandeth before the door. Jam. 5.9. Take heed of this ſin, for it will render you liable to condemnation; God will take vengeance upon all thoſe that are given to this ſin: the Iſraelites do no ſooner break into this ſin, but God immediately plagueth them for it. If moderation of our minds be to be ſhewed towards our enemies, for whoſe oppreſſions we ought not to murmure, or impatiently to complain againſt them to God how much leſs then ought Chriſtian againſt Chriſtian, and Brother againſ… Brother to grudge and murmure one againſt another! This is far from the excellency and dignity of a Chriſtian, as one well noteth.Turnbull expoſit. in Jam. 5.
5. Labour to get an intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt, and an evidence of your intereſt in the covenant of Grace; this will be a ſpecial means to ſtill your murmurings: Have frequent recourſe to Gods covenant; look over all the promiſes and priviledges of the covenant, look to the blood of the everlaſting covenant, and to the faithfulneſs of God, and to the riches of his Grace; call to mind all the love-tokens whereby God hath expreſſed his love to you in former times, then will you not at any time murmure at the proſperity of the wicked, nor repine at your own adverſity, having the ſenſe of Gods favour for the preſent, and the hopes of enjoying God for e…er hereafter. David had enough, be…auſe God was his portion. Pſal. 16.5. …he more Grace a man hath in his …eart, and the more faith in Gods pro…iſes, the more cheerfully will he be …nabled to walk under every diſpen…ation of Gods providence: the more …f Chriſt is in us, the better ſhall we know how to carry our ſelves in every …ondition; we ſhall then know both …ow to be abaſed, and how to abound, …nd be inſtructed everywhere, and in …ll things, both to be full and to be …ungry, both to abound and to ſuffer …eed. Phil. 4.11, 12.
6. Let us be converſant in Gods word, and meditate much upon it;Non eſt judicandum de operibus Dei ante q …ntum actum. Pet. Mart. …here we ſhall ſee not only the beginnings of his providential diſpenſations, but alſo the end of them to his people: when David looked upon the proſperity of the wicked, and the adverſity of Gods children, he was filled with diſcontent, and his faith could never conquer his temptations, till he went into the Sanctuary of God, and conſulted with him; then h… underſtood the end of Gods prov… dences. Pſal. 73.16, 17. When me… conſider the end of Gods ſervants, as of the wicked, then will they not mu… mure againſt Gods dealings. A ma… when he hath brought home wood i… to his Yard in Summer-time, th… which is Timber, he heweth, he ſqu… reth, and cu…s it for his purpoſe; bu… for his fire-wood, he layes it on a heap for winter; even ſo God ſquareth and cu…s his children by afflictions; bu… for the wicked, he is reſerved for the day of deſtruction. Job. 21.30. an… is made for the day of evil. Prov. 16.4. they flouriſh in falſe ſhewes, but ſhall have real torments: Chriſt ſaith, that ſorrow is the portion of Gods children in this life;Flo…ent falſis bonis, peribunt veris tormentis. you ſhall weep and lament, but the world ſhall rejoyce. Joh. 16.20. Let us go then into the houſe of God with David, and there we ſhall ſee the brittle eſtate of proſperous ſinners; then you will not murmu…e that you poſſeſſe not the riches of iniquity; for better is Daniels pulſe then Acha… …edge; Lazarus w…th his rags; with …is nothing,, was better then the rich …lutton with his abundance; that is no …ood Gold that never cometh into the …re; it is a note of Gods wrath when he denyes us the means to ſee our ſins; it is as much as if a child ſhould be brought up without a rod: Sodom and Dives lived without trouble, yet they paid for it in the end; Though Cham was not drowned, yet he could not e…cape Damnation: our obedience and Gods correction are two marks that God …s our Father; if we fail in obedience, and God in correcting us, it may be ſuſpected we are none of his: we are chaſtned of the world, that we ſhould not be condemned with the world. 1 Cor. 11.32. If God will not puniſh men when they ſin, it is no argument of his love to them; It is a curſe that afflictions come not the ſecond time. Soloman adviſeth, Let not thine heart envy ſinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long; Prov. 23.17, Though ſinners grow great, yet envy them no… murmure not againſt Gods diſpenſa… ons, keep cloſe to him, fear him co… tinually, in the end God will reme… ber his People: God hath one end i… giving worldlings their wealth, the honour, their pleaſure here, and the look at another end; he gives it the… as their portion; they look at no othe… good but proſperity, and care for n… other good, and ſo God gives it there; when as God withholdeth ſuch things from his people, not becauſe he doth not love them, but becauſe he hath a better portion in ſtore for them hereafter.Patienter ab eo ſuſtinet flagellari, a quo caeleſtem haereditatem expecta…. Perald. de peccat. …nguae. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Pſal. 37.37. Hereby the Godly and the wicked man are known aſunder; the one hath hope in the end, but the hope of the other ſhall periſh▪ the fool hath ſaid in his heart, I ſhall not be moved. Pſal. 10.6. Some rely on men, ſome on their Goods and Lands, ſome on the Creatures, but all ſhall fail them at laſt; ſperando peribunt, they ſhall periſh by thus hoping; the wicked ſtand in ſlippery places, and their feet ſhall ſlide in due time. Deu. 32.35.
7. To keep us from murmuring, let us conſider our unprofitableneſs under …ll Gods dealings with us; this will cauſe us to be ſilent either under his hand, or to bewail our condition, that we are no better then we are, and have made no better improvement of Gods former dealings with us; God of…en laps up many precious pearls in the …undle of our ſorrowes: though thy af…ictions are bitter arrowes, yet they …ome from a ſweet friend; let us there…ore lament that we are not bettered …y them.
8. Conſider how many there are …hat are below us, that want many …hings that we enjoy: we look only at …uch and ſuch as are above us, and at …hat we want that they have, and we …re apt preſently to think, why ſhould …ot we have as much as they, and then …ur hearts are apt to fret and murmure; …ut to remedy this, conſider what you enjoy that others want; it may be thy Beer is ſmall, but God gives to many others Tears, and Gall, and Blood to drink; yet theſe that are below thee may be better Chriſtians then thy ſelf, unleſs thou ſilence thy murmurings; what if thou haſt nothing but bread and water! then remember that promiſe, Ye ſhall ſerve the Lord your God, and he ſhall bleſs thy bread and thy water; If thou haſt but bread and water, and the bleſſing of God with it, thou haſt enough, and haſt more cauſe of rejoycing, then worldlings have in the time that their Corn and their Wine encreaſeth: I have read of a certain Souldier that earneſtly intreated a Holy man to pray unto God for him that he might be freed from a ſore diſeaſe which much afflicted him▪ Ora Dominum ſervet te in Statu quo magis humilierisbut he anſwered him thus; pray thou to the Lord to keep thee in that condition in which thou mayſt be more humbled; that condition is beſt for us that layes us low, and makes us humble and poor in ſpirit.