The Truly Blessed Man, Part 5
VERSE 7.
Thou art mine hiding place, thou ſhalt preſerve me from trouble: thou ſhalt compaſs me with ſongs of deliverance. Selah.
3. WE proceed to the profeſſion that David makes of his Faith in God, reſpecting the forecited priviledges. Interpreters bring in the words of this verſe, as the form of prayer uſed by him, or the way in which he preſented it; and there are three paſſages in it; all of them the breathings of prayer;
1. He declares what God is to him.
2. What he expects from God.
3. What he deſigned in his petition, and what improvement he would make of it, when obtained.
1. He declares what God is to him, Thou and my hiding place. He gives this for a reaſon wh… he addreſſed God in prayer. In the words w… have.
1. The Object; Thou, i. e. God, of whom he is ſpeaking all along.
2. That which his faith diſcovers in this Object, to encourage him; he is an hiding place. The root ſignifieth both to hide, and protect. A thing is hid, when it is put out of harms way, and God is an hiding place to his people when he ſecures them againſt evil.
3. The relation of God to him as ſuch, my hiding place, intimating that he was ſuch by the Covenant with him; Hence,
God is the pardoned mans hiding place.
DOCTRINE.
A Pardoned Believer hath this ſecurity againſt harm by floods of Affliction, that God is his hiding place. We have in the former obſerved, what ſecurity ſuch an one enjoyeth; we are now led to the foundation of it; and here we may enquire,
1. In what reſpect God is a hiding place?
2. What ſafety againſt Floods this affords to them to whom he is ſo?
3. What conſolation they may draw from this at ſuch a time?
1. In what reſpect God is an hiding place?
A. The expreſſion is Metaphorical, and intends, that God is all that to his people that men expect from an hiding place; & that is, when he gives them ſafe protection from all that offereth to harm them; he is therefore called his peoples defence, Pſal. 89. 18. Hither belong thoſe titles aſcribed to him, Pſal. 18. 2. And here obſerve, that what God is in himſelf, he becometh that to his people in and through Chriſt, who is for that reaſon called an hiding place, and a refuge, Iſa. 32. 2. It ſuppoſeth ſome evil offering to aſſail them, for where no evil is expected, there is no occaſion for an hiding place; they that are ſecure, may dwell without gates and bars; it is evil expected that ſtirs men up to ſeek a ſhelter, Prov. 27. 12. The prudent foreſeeth the evil, and hides himſelf. An hiding place therefore is whatſoever men expect ſafety from harm by that evil; and it implieth.
1. That they have ſuch an esteem of it, elſe they would not fly to it. Why do worldly men truſt in their wealth, becauſe it is a ſtrong City in their eſteem? Prov. 18. 11. Man rationally upon the foreſight of danger, betakes himſelf there where he ſuppoſeth at leaſt a probability of ſafety; hope is the ſpring of endeavour, and that is excited by its object.
2. Hence they promiſe themſelves ſafety in it, elſe they would not tarry there: and as long as a malnouriſheth his hope with ſuch a perſwaſion, he can abide in quiet, and confidence: but if once he begins to miſtruſt his ſafety, and think himſelf not ſecure, he meditates a flight from thence and to betake himſelf to ſome other place.
3. If therefore it doth not this for him, it is no hiding place to him. For this end it is called a refuge of lies and hiding place of deceit, Iſa. 28. 17. a refuge, becauſe they flie to it: of lies, becauſe cheated by it. Hence they made that complaint, Lam. 4. 17. God therefore is an hiding place to his people.
1. Sometimes by outwardly preſerving them from thoſe evils: There are many encouragements for this as hath already been obſerved, Pſa. 91. Iſa. 26. 20. Pſal. 27. 5. Jer. 26. 26. And a Child of God, walking in his integrity, and ſtanding clear of the evil of the times, may have no ſmall hope of this.
2. By maintaining their faith in …fe and vigour under theſe trials. Though toſsed with tempeſt, their faith doth not fail: though winds roar, and floods aſſault them, their houſe ſtands on its rock, Mat. 7. 24, 25. They cannot be put from their hope, nor driven from their duty, Pſal. 44. 17. They are loſt with tempeſt, but not ſhipwrack.
3. By carrying them ſafe through thoſe troubles, He giveth them an expected end, Jer. 29. 11. They …ither outlive them, and ſee better days, or are brought ſafe home to the Kingdom, and reſt for ever in the glories of it: their latter end is peace, Pſal. 37. 37.
4. By doing them ſaving good by them. They ſhall be real gainers by all, Rom. 8. 28. They may be ill intended by inſtruments; but inſtead of …ning, they help them; and they may ſay to them, as Joſeph to his brethren, Gen. 50. 20. Ye thought evil againſt me, but God meant it to good; … is God an hiding place to his people.
2. What ſafety from the floods they have by it, to whom he is ſo?
A. The ſafety of a hiding place is the ſecurity to affords to them who fly to it: and that is to be ſeen in the ſufficiency of it: Now there is all in God that can be looked for on this account there is,
1. His Omnipotency. In this is Iſraels ſafety declared, Deut. 33. 27. Hence compared to an impregnable rocks, yea, a munition of rocks; a tower of ſafety, Prov. 18. 10. The ſecurity of thoſe that are covered with his feathers is ſet forth, Pſal. 91. begin. Hence the Apoſtle challengeth, Rom. 8. 31. If God be for us, &c. And whence is this ſafety but from his Almightineſs? Pſal. 89. 13. Thou haſt a mighty arm.
2. His tender love that he bears to theſe. They are precious, as the apple of his eye; all that offer them harm, offend him; they are his peculiar treaſure; he loved them from eternity, ſpareà not his Son, but gave him for them; hath beſtowed himſelf on them to be their portion, they are his own, and his honour is concerned in them.
3. His Omniſcient watchfulneſs over them. And this follows from his love: he knows what ev… they ly open to, and cannot but look after them his eye of all knowledge ſeeth the darkeſt deſign that are forged againſt them, and his care of the… keeps his eye conſtantly upon them, Iſa. 27. 2, …. A Vineyard of red wine, I the Lord do keep it, … any hurt it, I will keep it night and day; they ſome times think that he forgets them, but it is impoſſible, Iſa. 49. 14, 15, 16.
4. His Truth and Faithfulneſs. He hath brought them into a Covenant, in which he hath engaged to be all their Salvation, to defend and deliver them in all troubles; and it is impoſſible for him to ly; they may therefore ſafely adventure unto him, and ſhall find him to be a precious hiding place.
3. What confidence ſuch an one may have of his being ſo to him at ſuch a time?
A. Whatever fears a Child of God may be exerciſed with, whiles under ſenſe of Guilt, by reaſon of ſome provoking ſin, yet upon his obtaining a ſealed pardon, he hath all grounds of fear removed, and may be humbly bold; for,
1. He was before this in a Juſtified ſtate. He was put into that upon his firſt believing, nor ſhall any of his falls diſannul it: he ſhall never fall out of the favour of God again: he may loſe the ſight of him, but the peace is not violated.
2. The terrours of ſin is now removed. All that darkneſs which was on his mind, when under the apprehenſion of Guilt, is now taken off; and he … again chearfully ſee his Juſtified ſtate, by which he knows his title to the love of God in Chriſt; that he is his Father, and will not caſt him off.
3. God uſually giveth more than ordinary Teſtimonies of his endeared love at ſuch a time. After …roken bones and bitter ſorrows for ſin, God is …ont to make great diſcoveries of his reconciled favour to them, ſo that they cannot but acknowledge and praiſe him, Iſa. 12. 1. Jer. 31. 20.
4. Hence he may with aſſured confidence apply all the promiſes of the New Covenant to himſelf. For, upon the ſealing of a pardon, the whole Covenant is new ſealed; and it is by ſetling on the promiſe, that we run into God as our hiding place: and this man can do it with great confidence, apprehending God, with opened arms ready to receive him.
USE I. Learn hence how ill they are provided for ſafety in a time of trouble, who have no title to God as a hiding place. No man would willingly be abroad in a ſtorm; and he that ſees one riſing, and knows not where to ſecure himſelf it in a miſerable condition; and no leſs unſafe are they, though more confident, who have their repoſe in that which will become a refuge of lies to them. Let it then be a word of awakening to all? Do you ſee a Storm coming?
1. Ask your ſelves where you intend to hide from it: And here,
1. Be aſſured that all other refuges will deceive you. When the flood comes, every houſe will fa… but that which is founded on the rock, if you depend on the world, it will be, like Egypt, the staff of a broken reed; it will fall, the overflowing ſcourge will bear it down. If you truſt in your own wiſdom or righteouſneſs, or any thing of your own, it will not be a ſafe guard t… you: the Wrath of an angry God will be… down all before it, and you will be ſo far miſerable, as you promiſed your ſelves defence from theſe things, which will thus wofully diſappoint you.
2. God, and he alone, can be a ſafe ſhelter to you, If he undertake for you, there is no fear: as his power is infinite, ſo his truth is unchangeable: if he promiſe, he will perform, if he ſay he will be your Salvation, he will give being to his word; if he be under a promiſe, all is ſettled.
2. Be then perſwaded to ſeek and ſecure an interest of him. Make him your hiding place; he tells you of your danger, and offers himſelf to be this to you. Forſake all other, and betake your ſelves to him in and through Chriſt, and he will receive you; live not at reſt till you are able to put this title upon him, with a claim of propriety, never think your ſelves ſafe, till under his wings: let your danger drive you, and his invitation allure you, and all ſhall be well.
USE II. For Exhortation to the Children of God: And there are two branches of it.
1. Would you have God for an open hiding place at ſuch a time? See that all ſtands even between him and you; though the title belongs to every believer, yet he is not equally acceſſible by all his Children in a time of trouble; for direction.
1. If there be any ſin ſtanding out unrepented of, ſee to the making of the peace between him and you. Make diligent ſearch about it, and count it not a light matter. Conſider,
1. As long as there is any. God will hide himſelf from you, and then how will you find your hiding place? he ſometimes withdraws from his, when trouble is on them, and though they cannot do without him, yet they cannot tell where to find him; was it not ſo with the Spouſe? Cant.
5. And what a moan doth he make about this? Job 23. 8, 9. Such a thing will diſtreſs you?
2. And your ſins will ſtand between you and him to diſcourage you. Sin unrepented of, when God ſets home on the Conſcience, will be very terrible; and if he be alſo withdrawn, what fears will it excite in you? your hearts will miſgive, and Satan will thruſt in hard. You will certainly be at a woful loſs, till you have, by a ſoaking repentance, made up the breach.
2. Is all right betwen God and you? Be very careful to keep your ſelves from all ſin, by which any breach may be made between you and him. Let the remembrance of former things, and the diſtreſs of them put you on the greater caution: See that if the floods muſt come, they find you walking in your integrity, and keeping clear from your iniquity, and then you will be happy.
2. Be ſure when floods come, to make him alone your hiding place. Say as, Pſal. 62. 5, 6.
Conſider,
1. There is ſafety no where elſe. If you leave your rock, you will find nothing elſe to be that to you, which that will certainly be, if you rely on it.
2. With him you ſhall be in ſafety. If he be your fortreſs, all the floods and ſtorms that can beat upon you, will not be able to harm you; you may bid defiance to all that earth and hell can do to you, Pſal. 125. 1. They that truſt in the Lord, ſhall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed. For this end;
1. Renounce all affiance elſewhere. There is a ſubordination of cauſes; and God forbids us not, but enjoyns us to be found in the uſe of means; but we muſt refuſe to place our truſt in them, when we uſe them as means, they help us to our refuge, but when we truſt in them, they are our refuge, and God is rejected: Beware then of this.
2. Reſolve and practice againſt all prepoſterous cauſes. When tempeſts ariſe, fear ſolicits us to do ſome unworthy thing; but this will be to put God away, inſtead of hiding in him. Reſolve, come what will, you will not put forth your hand to any ſinful thing, ſo did they, Dan. 3. 16.
3. Be found in the way of Duty. Say not, I truſt in God, and therefore will do nothing. We then fly to God, and abide under his wing, when we keep in his way; and we muſt reſolve not to be driven from our duty by all that would diſcourage us in it. When we dare to be good, and truſt God with the event; he accounts himſelf peculiarly concerned to ſtand by us.
4. When ever Floods appear, be ſure, by a renewed act of faith, to caſt your ſelves upon him. Fly to Chriſt preſently, as the doves do to their windows, when they ſee preſages of a tempeſt; put over all into his hand. Reſolve to wait on him, ſo ſhall you without fail ſee his Salvation.
2. He declares what he expects from God; Thou ſhalt preſerve me from trouble. Herein he ſhows what he expects from God, or of what advantage this title was to him. The word tranſlated preſerve, ſignifies, to keep a thing with ſtrict watch or guard, as men do a Caſtle in time of War. The word trouble, comes of a root that ſignifies to bind or straiten, and ſignifies ſuch diſtreſs as not only afflicts the body, but alſo diſtreſſeth the mind. Hence,
God will keep them from trouble, whoſe hiding place he is.
DOCTRINE.
THey that have made God their hiding place, may and ought believingly to depend upon him to preſerve them from trouble.
We may here enquire,
1. What is the preſervation from trouble, which God as an hiding place affords to his people?
A. We have already obſerved, how God preſerve his people in floods of great waters, from v. 6. All of which is applicable hither, this therefore may be very briefly paſt over. God then preſerves his people from trouble, when he doth any way ſave them from harm by, and makes them to get the benefit of their troubles. There are many ways in which he doth thus, and he reſerves to himſelf a liberty to diſplay his wiſdom, love and power herein. And here;
1. He ſometimes ſaves them from the trouble it ſelf. It looks in the order of ſecond cauſes, as if it would come; the Cloud riſeth, and looks black and tempeſtuous, and is juſt ready to pour down a ſtorm upon them, but God cauſeth a contrary wind to riſe and blow it away, was it not thus, Iſa. 37. 33. with 36. And God hath unknown & uncountable ways to defeat ſecond cauſes in their enterprizes; hence that challenge, Iſa. 8. 9, 10. The Snare is laid, but God breaks it, and they eſcape, Pſal. 124. 4. Thus God gets him a name, and gives his people reſt.
2. He ſometimes ſaves them in their troubles. They come, but he is a preſent help, Pſal. 46. 1. Sometimes he preſerves them from the utmoſt extremity; the tempeſt is in meaſure, Iſa. 27. 8. He is with them in water and fire, to limit them, Iſa. 43. 2: So he acknowledgeth, Pſal. 118. 18. And he preſerves their grace in exerciſe, and competent vigour under all; whatſoever batteries are made on the outward man, the inward man is ſuſtained; the floods cannot drown their grace; it groweth ſtronger and ſtronger, 2 Cor. 4. 16. Their bow abides in ſtrength, and they can truſt in God, though he ſtay them.
3. He many times preſerves them out of theſe troubles. They out live the flood, to enjoy a calmneſs and ſerenity again in this world; they paſs through fire and water, but at length he brings them to a wealthy place, Pſal. 66. 12. thus Job weathered all his calamities; thus alſo it was with the Pſal. miſt, Pſal. 40. begin.
4. He preſerves them from the evil of theſe troubles, and turns them all for their good, in the winding up. He maketh a medicine of this viper, and purgeth away ſin with it, Iſa. 27. 9. he humbles, and proves, and doth them good for the latter end by it, Deut. 8. 16. Thus are they made meet for the Glorious Inheritance.
2. How far they that have made him their hiding place, may ſafely depend on him for this, and why they ſhould ſo do?
A. This will be cleared in the following Concluſions.
1. God is certainly all that to his people that he hath commended himſelf to them to be in any title of his. He could not be known to his people, did he not aſſume ſuch things to him; & it is but a little portion of him that we know by them. God is all perfections in one undivided eſſence, but we cannot diſcover theſe perfections but ſeverally; and that he may reveal himſelf to us as an Object of truſt, he hath aſſumed ſuch Attributes as are ſuited to our underſtandings, in which he reveals nothing to us, but what he really is, and what he will be to his people. As he is their God in Covenant, ſo here by he tells them what a God he will be to them in his Efficiency.
2. That the end of Gods diſcovering himſelf to his people by ſuch titles, is to give them advantage to take bold of him thereby. God in his back parts is the object of his peoples faith, for none can ſee his face and live. We only have communion with him in his declarative Glory; and he hath made it his peoples duty to take hold of him, Iſa. 64. 7. And the way in which we may ſo do, is in his precious Attributes, which are as ſo many handles on which our faith may faſten. Hence we read of taking bold on his ſtrength, Iſa. 27. 5. It is therefore to encourage this that he hath proclaimed his name in thoſe golden letters, Exod. 34. 6.
3. Hence God will certainly make good every relative title for all thoſe to whom he ſtands ſo related. When he makes himſelf over to them in the New-Covenant to be their portion, he giveth all that which he hath revealed of himſelf in his Word, to be theirs, Lam. 3. 24. And he would never ſo give himſelf to them, if he did unchangeably purpoſe to be all that to them, which he hath encituled them unto, Mal. 3. 6. For it was his own free unneceſſitated act: having therefore ſo obliged himſelf, he will never go back, Iſa. 45. 19. I ſaid not to the houſe of Iſrael, ſeek me in vain.
4. That the very end of an hiding place, is for preſervation from trouble. When God aſſumes Metaphorical titles to himſelf, it is that, by conſidering what of excellency there is in thoſe things, we may accordingly expect that from him which is ſhadowed out by them. Now a place to hide one ſelf in, is needful for none but thoſe that are expoſed to trouble, and the uſe of it is to defend us from the injury threatned to us thereby. We are therefore from hence, to entertain ſuch apprehenſions of God, and believe him, to be ſuch an one.
5. That a thing then only proves its title due to it, when it anſwers it. And indeed, Metaphors, when they are uſed concerning God, do but carry a dark and faint reſemblance of his perfections, for there is nothing in the creature that may be compared with him: we ought therefore to reſolve that the thing ſhadowed by it, is in him after a glorious and unparallel'd manner. When God calls himſelf an hiding place, we may think of the ſtrongeſt munition of rocks, the beſt fortified strong holds, and the moſt ſecret retiring places, and then conclude them all unworthy of the name, in compariſon of him; and if he were not thus, he would never ſo ſtile himſelf.
6. Hence God is ſuch an Object to his people, as their faith may ſafely thus rely upon. They need not be afraid to adventure into him as an hiding place, in the greateſt trouble. He is in himſelf all ſufficient for it; as to power, none can be too hard for him, Prov. 18. 10. As to wiſdom, all the policy of men and Devils cannot outwit him, Prov. 21. 30. He therefore looks on, and laughs at all their cunning contrivances, Pſal. 2. 4. And his promiſe hath made this over to them, ſo that they may challenge a ſpecial intereſt in it; he hath not only ſaid, I am God, but I am thy God, Iſa. 41. 18. And his faithfulneſs hath ſecured the performance of all the promiſed good to them. If he can, he will do it for them, his promiſes are yea and amen, 2 Cor. 1. 20. They are but the revelation of his purpoſes, which he can never change.
7. Their believing dependance on him, is the only way for them to glorify him in troubles. They ought ſo to do; and it is done only by a ſuitable exerciſe of Grace, according to the condition they are in: and no grace can at ſuch a time have a right exerciſe, without this dependance, doubting, fearing, deſponding, fretting, fainting, in a time of trouble, is a diſhonour done to God by his people: Whereas hoping, truſting in him, daring to adventure all upon his word and power, giveth him his acknowledgment; and this will keep them to duty in blackeſt times, Dan. 3. 16, 17.
8. All a believers comfort and ſettlement now ariſeth from the exerciſe of this faith. Trouble is, of its own nature troubleſome, and tends to unſettle or diſquiet the man: all his conſolations muſt now come from God, and often all other doors are ſhut; and how ſhall we derive this from God, but by the exerciſe of faith; and that muſt be by believing that he is ſuch an one in himſelf, and will be ſo to us, Hab. 3. 17, 18.
USE I. For Information in three particulars.
1. Learn hence that a time of trouble will try our faith. There is a double experiment that it will make.
1. It will try the truth of it. Many whiles in tranquility, make a great flouriſh of their truſt in God, and might they always have Halcyon days they would paſs for eminent believers, but when tribulation comes, and floods threaten them, or aſſault them, their great confidence ſhrinks up to nothing; ſuch are the ſtony ground hearers, Mat. 13. 20, 21.
2. It will try the ſtrength of it. Prov. 24. 10. If thou faint in the day of adverſity, thy ſtrength is ſmall; a weak faith, although a true one, may bear up compleatly under ordinary afflictions, but when they are growing and great, it will diſcover its infirmity, Peter on the waters, ruffled with tempeſt, begins to ſink, Mat. 14. 30 Paul under the ſoreſt preſſures is confident, 2 Tim. 1. 12.
2. See here the happineſs of thoſe who in a time of peace have made God their hiding place. Herein it lieth, that they have ſecured their preſervation is a day of trouble: they have an Ark in which they are ſheltered, and may ſleep quietly, though the Floods riſe ſo as to cover the loftieſt mountains, Pſal. 91. 9, 10. When others have their hiding places of deceit come tumbling about their ears, theſe are Caſtled in their rock, Mat. 7. 24, 25.
3. Learn hence whence the ſettlement of Gods people in a time of trouble proceeds. They are not ſtocks and ſtones, but have ſenſe and reaſon as other men. They can foreſee an evil day, and apprehend the evil of it. How then can they look on it with a ſedate ſpirit? that it doth not frighten them; but when other mens ſpirits fail, hearts faint, & joynts tremble, they quietly follow their work? It is becauſe they are ſheltred in God, have hidden themſelves under his feathers, taken him for their defence, their faith hath rolled them on him; they dare truſt him, and believe all ſhall be well: and let men if they will, count this faith, frenzy; they know what they do.
USE. II. For Tryal, do we expect that God ſhall preſerve us from trouble? Prove whether we have made him our hiding place; for Conſider;
1. Trouble is to be expected. It is a world of trouble we live in; nor are the beſt of Gods Children ſecured from it: whiles the Devil maligneth us, the world hateth us, and ſo much ſin cleaves to us; & a wiſe God manageth our affairs for our good, we may look for trouble on all hands.
2. God is not engaged to preſerve any but ſuch as …ve made him their hiding place. There are great and precious promiſes in this regard, but none can challenge them but ſuch as by faith are gotten into God, and have made him their ſhelter.
3. If he do not preſerve you, none elſe can. And if you do not believe this, you ſhall find it on tryal to be true. You ſhall ſooner or later come to that acknowledgment, Jer. 3. 23. Truely in vain is Salvation looked for from hills and mountains, &c. Let them promiſe never ſo fair, they will deceive your expectations: What ſaith the Pſalmist? Pſal. 20. 7, 8. Some truſt in Chariots, &c. They are brought down and fallen, but we are riſen, and stand upright.
4. If you are deceived in your expectations, you will be in a miſerable condition. If you have preſumed God to be your hiding place, and were never indeed gotten into him, you will be without any re…uge when trouble comes. And for your help in …his tryal, take theſe Rules.
1. You have foreſeen a flood. A proſpect of evil, in the conſideration of it, was ever made uſe of by the ſpirit of God to bring men to Chriſt; Heb. 11. 7. Noah being warned of God, was moved with fear, and prepared an Ark. There is nothing elſe will perſwade ſinful men to repair to God.
2. You have ſeen the vanity of all other hiding places, and renounced them. Sinful man will truſt in lying vanities, till he is effectually convinced that they are ſuch: and as he will not go to God till then ſo God will not accept of him, except he abjure all reliance on them, Hoſ. 14. 3. verſ. 8.
3. You have been lifted up by a mighty arm into the rock that is higher than you. You did not go into this hiding place by your own ſtrength, but were brought into it Almighty power; and have accordingly apprehended your own ſtrengthleſneſs, and felt the efficacy of his grace in cauſing you to believe; if he had not drawn you, you had not run after him.
4. You have taken Christ for your all. If you have made him your hiding place, you have alſo received him for your Lord and King: they that have truly truſted in him, to be ſaved by him, have cordially ſubmitted to his Government; they that have not made him their all, have not made him any thing to them.
USE III. For Exhortation to the people of God Have you made Chriſt your hiding place? Believe the… in him for preſervation from trouble. Conſider,
1. This is included in the very title it ſelf. Thi… is the very nature of an hiding place: if then you do not expect this benefit from him, you have but complemented him, and not in truth entertained him as ſuch.
2. He expects this of you. He counts himſelf deſpiſed and trifled with, if you call him by ſuch a name, and do not make uſe of it according to the import of it. Even a bramble, if choſen King, expects to be truſted in, Judg 9. 15.
3. It is by faith that you are to fetch this benefit from him. Though there be all this in God, yet there is a way in which it is communicated to us, and that is by faith on our part: hence the more full and ſtedfaſt we are in the exerciſe of it, the more are we like to experience this benefit: for help,
1. Be often renewing your Aſſurance; eſpecially when trouble appears. Now revive your evidences, read them over, and ſee to the ſtrength of them; for according to this, ſo will you be ſettled in your reliance on him.
2. Reſolve, againſt all diſcouragements, that he both can, and will do that for you, which ſhall fully anſwer this relation. Have an eye therefore on thoſe other Attributes of his, that are to confirm you in the ſufficiency and ſecurity in this: He is the great and mighty God, who keeps Covenant, &c.
3. Now chearfully commit the diſpoſing of all to him, in the way of Obedience. Leave all with him, put it out of your own hands, and reſolve that he ſhall have the free ordering of it; and that you would not call either his wiſdom or faithfulneſs into queſtion.
4. Now wait patiently on him for a good iſſue. Let faith and hope quiet you whatſoever comes; and bid a challenge to all that would undermine you. Reſolve, it is in a good hand, and though things are dark, yet they are ſure, and he is faithful that hath promiſed, who will alſo perform.
3. He expreſſeth what he deſigned in his petition, and what improvement he would make of the mercy when obtained. Thou ſhalt compaſs me about with ſongs of deliverance. By ſongs of deliverance, he intends thoſe Songs that were compoſed and ſung to the praiſe of God, by his people upon any e… minent deliverance afforded them. Many of which ſongs the Word of God furniſheth us withal. The word, deliverance, ſignifies to eſcape, or go forth: Now theſe Songs were dedicated as the teſtimony of a thankful heart, to be a memorial of ſuch mercies, when he ſaith God ſhall compaſs him with thoſe, he intends that he will beſtow many ſuch deliverances upon him; and that he ſhall have many occaſions to make ſuch ſongs.
Hence,
Faith engageth the heart in making returns to God for Deliverance.
DOCTRINE.
TRue Faith, not only depends on God for compleat deliverance, but alſo engageth the heart to reſo…ve to ſignalize the ſame, when enjoyed, with ſuitable returns of praiſe. Here are two Propoſitions.
Prop. 1. That true faith depends on God for compleat deliverance. The language of the Text is, thou ſhalt do that for me, which ſhall lay ſuch an obligation on me; Here obſerve,
1. That all trouble is afflictive to us, and we cannot but deſire deliverance from it. No affliction is joyous, Heb. 12. 11. Therefore called things hard to bear, Pſal. 60. 3. So that they put in o fear, and ſtir us up to endeavour the avoidence or eſcaping of them.
2. The Rule of faith tells us there is no deliverance to be expected elſewhere. Not only our ſpiritual, but our temporal troubles too are beyond the power of any to relieve us againſt, if God do not afford us ſuccour, David gives this reaſon why he will trust in God alone, Pſal. 62. 6. He only is my rook and ſalvation.
3. Hence it directs us to go to God in prayer for …his deliverance. If we would have it, not only muſt we go no where elſe, but we muſt repair to him, he hath appointed prayer to be a medium of obtaining, Ezel. 37. 37. Hence that, Jam. 5. 13. Is any afflicted! let him pray. Thus are we to acknowledge our dependence on him.
4. There must be faith exerciſed in every prayer, & in every petition that we offer to him. Without it there is no pleaſing God, Heb. 11. 6. If we would ask and receive, we muſt ask in faith, Jam. 1. 5, 6. Without this ingredient, God reckons us. but to howl; and there are three things in which faith is to exert it ſelf.
1. We muſt believe that if ever we be delivered, it muſt be by God. Faith muſt keep us cloſe to this object: and we muſt dwell on this concluſion, elſe we ſhall be read to run elſewhere: We muſt reſolve that if we look elſewhere, we for ſake the fountain for a broken Ciſtern, and ſhall be diſappointed.
2. We muſt believe that he can, and if it be b…t for us, will give us temporary deliverance. We muſt not limit his wiſdom, nor ſoveraignty, but, acknowledging his power, we are to wait on him as one that is able: and not only ſo, but becauſe he hath promiſed, he therefore will perform what is beſt for us. Conclude that this ſalvation alſo belongs to him, and if it be according to his will, it ſhall be brought about for us, ſo did he, 1 Sam 15. 25, 26.
3. We muſt alſo believe that he will give us perfect deliverance at laſt. whether he will do it in this life, we may not determine: it may be moſt convenient for us that it ſhould be otherwiſe: but this a Child of God ought to build upon, that he ſhall be brought out of all trouble in the winding up, and his preſent troubles ſhall contribute to the preparing of him for it: ſo the Pſalmiſt reſolveth, Pſal. 73. 24.
Prop. 2. That true faith carrieth out the heart to reſolve, to ſignalize theſe deliverances, when received, with ſuitable returns of praiſe. Faith influenceth him with this purpoſe in the very praying for them. Here take theſe concluſions.
1. That which puts a man upon ſeeking deliverance, is a deſire to obtain it. The end of Deſire in man, is to inſtigate him to the purſuit of his Object; and it gives riſe to all his rational actions. Now deſire is raiſed by the conſideration of the goodneſs of the Object, and his want of it, and this is the ſpring of all his endeavours to compaſs it; it will not let him ly ſtill, but pricks him forward to the uſe of means, Prov. 18. 1.
2. That which encourageth to uſe theſe particular means, is hope by them to obtain the thing deſired. Deſire puts men upon ſeeking means, but that which fixeth them upon theſe courſes rather than others, is an apprehenſion of the ſuitableneſs of them to the purpoſe, and the probability at leaſt of gaining the thing in the uſe of them: and this hope putteth life into endeavour: for if men did not expect ſucceſs in the undertaking, they would either not begin, or preſently tire and give out: and therefore hope deferred makes the heart to faint, Prov 13. 12. And that which nouriſheth h…pe is a rational connexion between the means and the end.
3. Hence there muſt be an end aimed at, which gives motion to this deſire and hope. Philoſophers had in vain placed the end among the cauſes, if it did not influence to the producing of the effect. This cauſality muſt be referred to the end in intention, which is by the influence it hath on the Efficient to ſet him on work: and in all Rational agents this is evident, that theſe two affections are thus excited; the means are not deſired or hoped in for themſelves, but for that which is aimed at by them.
4. That faith teacheth a believer to make Gods glory his laſt end in all things. Fallen man is come ſhort of this, Rom. 3. 23. And hence hath other ends in which he centers; but the Grace of God hath taught men to return to their great end again. They now renounce their ſinful ends, and regulate their ſubordinate ends: this is an univerſal leſſon that faith teacheth, to do all for the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10. 31.
5. Hence every prayer of faith hath an eye to this in every petition. When we pray for any thing, we always propoſe to our ſelves, what uſe to make of it when obtained; and according to this propoſal, ſo are our prayers to be accounted ſpiritual or carnal; we read of ſome, Jam. 4. 3. and Pſal. 78. 18. Theſe were not prayers of faith, but dictates of the fleſh. When we rightly go to God for any thing, we carry that in our aim, that we may be able to honour him with it. Not but that in its place, we may have reſpect to our deliverance, or comfort, but we reſt not here; but would have all for our better ſerving God.
6. Hence the right exerciſe of faith in prayer, layes a foundation for this praiſe. There is a reaſon of our hope which our faith improves; and this makes way for theſe ſongs. For,
1. Faith hath an eye and reſpect to the power of God. This is the firſt reaſon why we believe in God; nor ſhould we ever truſt in him, if we did not acknowledge that he can do that for us, which we commit to him. God thus encouraged Abrahams ſaith, Gen. 17. 1. I am God Almighty; and when we believe that he and no other can, we give him the honour of his Omnipotency, and ſo are prepared to put a remark on this Attribute, and give him the glory of it, when he ſhall have performed for us, ſo they, Exod. 15. 6, 7.
2. Faith applies it ſelf to his free Grace, in ſenſe of our own unworthineſs. It teacheth us to come humbly, and to acknowledge that we deſerve no help, but the contrary, and accordingly to hope in his mercy, thus Jacob. Gen. 32 10. And the Prophet, Dan. 9. 8, 9. And as this helps againſt deſpondencies from ſenſe of our own unworthineſs, ſo it diſpoſeth us to celebrate the riches of mercy, appearing in theſe ſalvations, and to ſtudy how to render according thereto, Pſal. 116. 12.
3. Hence faith concludes that if God will deliver us, we ſhall be laid under ſtrong obligations to him by it. Certainly kindneſs done for us will bring us under bonds of gratitude, and ſo the more that is reſented, the ſtronger hold it will have of us. This ſenſe therefore will diſpoſe us to pay our Teſtimonies of gratitude to our benefactor: and all ingratitude proceeds either from inſenſibleneſs or forgetfulneſs of this.
7. This makes him to bring himſelf under obligations. A Child of God never puts up a petition to him, but either expreſſeth or ſuppoſeth a promiſe made to him, in caſe he anſwers him: for all tranſactions between God and his people, are in a Covenant way. Sometimes they bind themſelves by a vow, as Jacob, Gen. 28. 20. or explicit promiſe, as Pſal. 80. 18. And it is ever implied according to the method of the Covenant expreſſed, Pſal. 50. 15.
8. His hope excites in him a premeditation what to do. Hope looks out for God to come in this way, and makes him to think, if or when God anſwers my requeſts, how ſhall I beſt ſhow my ſelf grateful to him in it? hence a promiſe given, made them turn a faſt into a thanksgiving, 2 Chron. 20. 18, 19.
9. And this puts him upon a preparation for the work before hand He counts it his concern, and therefore addreſſeth himſelf to make ready; that he may have nothing to do, but put it in execution, when the time comes, Pſal. 65. 1. Praiſe waiteth for thee, O God, in Zaon.
USE I. We have here a Rule for Trial, whether we offer right prayers to God in a time of trouble. Many pray, and complain they cannot be heard; and if they ſhould enquire, might here ſee the reaſon of it: there are things that men reckon for prayers, which God receives not as ſuch. And here,
1. Do we bring all our troubles to him, ſeeking his help in them? There are that if ſome fearful diſtreſs overtake them, will cry, and call, and make a loud noiſe, Prov. 1. 26, &c. But for ordinary troubles, they hope to grapple with them alone: and whiles they can either bear them, or have a proſpect of relief in any other way, they will not trouble him with their petitions: theſe have not made him their hiding place, and well may be diſmiſs them to ſeek help, where they have been wont to go for it, Jer. 2. 28.
2. What are our deſigns when deliverance comes? It is an uſual language, if ever I get out of this trouble, I will do thus or ſo; and would we take an account of our muſings on this account, it would let us ſee much of our hearts. And here,
1. Do they all center in our ſelves? God obſerves which way our hearts go on this account, and it is good we ſhould do ſo too, knowing they are deceitful, and apt to impoſe on us. Do we ſeek deliverance only, to have the more ſcope to gratifie the luſts that are in us? this provoketh God, and no wonder if he regard us not, Jam. 4. 3. When Iſrael had long wandred in the wilderneſs, and were now ready to poſſeſſ the promiſed Land God obſerved what projects they were upon, Deut. 31. 21.
2. Or are they carried out after the glory of God? Though you comfort your ſelves with hope of deliverance, yet you look beyond that, and ſubordinate it to Gods glory.
1. Is this the ſweeteſt conſideration of the deliverance, that it will give you an opportunity of glorifying him? Life is ſweet, and ſo is health, and peace, &c. but that which is our beſt end is ſweeteſt of all; and if Gods glory be that, it will have the beſt reliſh on our thoughts; this lay neareſt to Hezekiah in his great ſickneſs, Iſa. 33. 18, 18. His enquiry therefore was about his going to the houſe of the Lord, 2 King. 20. 8.
2. Do we contrive to glorify God by it? Do we ſay in our ſelves, if God ſhall grant this requeſt of ours, and ſave us out of this affliction, ſhall we ever be able to pay him due thankfulneſs? What manner of life ſhall we lead after it? Wherein ſhall we make it to appear that we are truly grateful?
3. Are we making ready our Songs of deliverance? We are wont when we expect ſome great day, to be providing before hand, & there is a preparation for Gods Salvation which becomes us; and according as our faith is active in our ſupplications, ſo will it be influential into our preparation; and if it be that we may meet with God, and give him his glory, it is right.
USE II. Let it exhort and direct us in the right exerciſe of our faith on this account: And we muſt take pains in it, elſe we ſhall diſhonour God, and wrong our ſelves; we are more forward to make our moan, and cry hard when we are in the floods of trouble, then we are in compoſing and elevating our ſongs of Deliverance. We had need then to be rouſed up to this, and the way to be r…g…t in it when called for, is to be laying in before hand: For help,
1. Are we entituled to Gods forgiveneſs? We may with confidence believe that we ſhall be heard and delivered from all our troubles; this priviledge belongs to every one of his favourites; they may expect it, and ſhall not be aſhamed of their expectation. God will act his liberty as to the time when, and way wherein, but the thing is ſecured.
2. Let this faith then excite you to indite your Songs of deliverance. For which end;
1. Conſult how to ſhew due thankfulneſs to God. To which end meditate before hand of the greatneſs of the mercy, of your former unſuitable entertainment of deliverances, and your unworthineſs of them, and by ſuch thoughts lay in matter of acknowledgment.
2. Hence reſolve to devote your ſelves more than …ver to his Service Purpoſe by his help, to be more watchful, diligent, chearful in his buſineſs; that his honour ſhall be more dear to you, and bind your ſelves to this.
3. Let this put you upon it to glorify him in the preſent condition, according to the exigence of it. Right carriages with ſilence, and humble ſubmiſſion under trouble, will put us into the beſt poſture to Sing to the Lord, when we come out of it; and the ſame faith that looks for ſalvation, will influence our patience: this will ſweeten our preſent troubles; it will profitably divert our …inking ponderings, and be a cordial againſt fain…ing; he took this recipe, Pſal. 56. 3. What time I am afraid, I will truſt in thee. It will alſo make us ready for deliverance, if God afford it us in this life, it will graciouſly fit us for it, and if he defers deliverance till we come to Glory, it will help us to a chearful paſſage, & enable us to leave a Teſtimony behind us which ſhall be to his praiſe and others encouragement.