Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 2
SERMON, II. The Dangerous SIN OF Murmuring, Deſcribed and Condemned.
1 Cor. X. 10.
Neither Murmur ye, as ſome of them alſo Murmured; and were deſtroyed of the Destroyer.
THoſe who call themſelves Chriſtians, and profeſs Obedience to the Goſpel, ſhould heartily endeavour to live anſwerably to ſuch their Profeſſion. They ſhould live holily on Earth, that they may live happily in Heaven for ever. The Apoſtle Paul did exhort the Chriſtian Corinthians thus to live. He ſaid to them, 1 Cor. 9.24. So run, that ye may obtain. He would have them be ſo hearty, ſincere, conſtant in their Chriſtian Courſe, as that they might obtain the Prize, the Crown of Eternal Glory. Therefore he would not have them content themſelves meerly with their outward Profeſſion, their external Religious Priviledges and Performances. To this end, in the former part of this Chapter containing our Text, he tells them, that the Iſraelites of old, were Gods peculiar profeſſing People, that they had many diſtinguiſhing Religious Priviledges, and yet many of them periſh'd for their Wickedneſs. Though they did all eat the ſame ſpiritual Meat, and did all drink the ſame ſpiritual Drink (for they drank of that Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Chriſt) yet with many of them God was not well pleaſed; for they were overthrown in the Wilderneſs, v. 3, 4, 5. Having thus ſaid, he adds, v. 6. N…w theſe things were our Ex…s, to the intent we ſhould not luſt after … things, as they alſo luſted. Would you know, why the Sins and Puniſhments of many are recorded in Scripture? Why, 'tis for this end, that the fear of like Puniſhments, might keep us from the like Sins. We ſhould hear and fear, and not do ſo Wickedly as others have done. We ſhould not imitate their Sins, leſt we partake of their Plagues. The Apoſtle having plainly intimated in general, that the Sins and Puniſhments of Iſrael, were recorded for the cautioning and warning of thoſe who ſhould hear of them; he then particularly cautions the Corinthians againſt Idolatry, v. 7. againſt Fornication, v. 8. againſt tempting of Chriſt, v. 9. and againſt Murmuring, as in our Text, v. 10. Neither murmur ye, as ſome of them alſo murmured; and were destroyed of the Deſtroyer. As if he had ſaid, Many of the Iſraelites Murmured againſt God in the Wilderneſs, and were deſtroyed for doing ſo; let this caution you againſt the Sin of Murmuring. From the Words we may obſerve this
DOCTRINE. Chriſtians ſhould carefully avoid the great and dangerous Sin of Murmuring.
Under this Doctrine we may conſider, (1.) The Nature of this Sins. (2.) The Greatneſs of it. (3.) The Danger of it.
1. The Nature of this Sin. Some deſcribe Murmuring to be, a ſpeaking againſt Perſons or Things, out of Diſlike, Impatience, or Diſcontent. To be ſure, when Perſons Murmur at what they meet with, it plainly implies their Diſlike of it, their being Uneaſy and Diſcontent with it, their Blaming and Complaining of it, and finding Fault with it: It plainly implies their Condemning of it, as not being as it ought to be. This in general is the Nature of Murmuring. Hence Murmurers and Complainers are put together, as being much the ſame, Jude. v. 16. This Murmuring, Diſcontent or Complaining, often operates or exerts it ſelf,
1. When Perſons cannot get thoſe Things they …e…e. Thus, when the Iſraelites wanted Bread (their Stores being ſpent which they brought out of Aegypt) they murmured against Moſes and Aaron in the wilderneſs, and ſaid, would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the Land of Aegypt, when we ſat by the fleſhpots, and when we did eat Bread to the full: for he have brought us forth into this wilderneſs, to … this wh…le Aſſembly with hunger, Exod. 16.2, 3. So they Murmured when they wanted …a…e…, and ſaid to Moſes, Exod. 17.3. Wherefore is this, that thou haſt brought us out of Aegypt▪ … kill us and our Children, and our Cattle with thirst? They greatly Murmured, they bitterly Complained, as though they were ill dealt with; becauſe they had not ſuch Food and Drink, ſuch outward Supports and Supplies as they deſired. When Ahab could not get his Neighbours Vineyard as he deſired, he ſhew'd a baſe, murmuring, diſcontented Spirit; he was full of ill Humur, Pouty and Sullen, turned away his face, and would not eat Bread, 1 King. 21.4. Many Perſons, when they can't get thoſe things they deſire, will Fret, Vex, be Uneaſy and Diſcontent: This is Murmuring, 'tis a faulting of Divine Providence, which Governs all Things.
2. When Perſons meet with thoſe things, which are more directly and poſſitively Troubleſome and Afflictive to them. Perſons often Murmur, not only when they want ſuch things as they deſire, but alſo when they meet with Loſſes, Diſappointments; even when Troubles and Afflictions come upon them. When thoſe who join'd in the Sin of Korah, were cut off by a ſudden, terrible Deſtruction; the Congregation Murmured againſt Moſes and Aaron for it, and ſaid, Ye have killed the People of the Lord, Numb. 16.41. They complain'd of the Loſs of ſo many Men, as being an Affliction which ought not to have been brought upon them. 'Tis ſaid, Rev. 16.9. And Men were ſcortched which great heat, and blaſphemed the name of God, which hath power over theſe Plagues. The Affliction they met with, made them quarrel with their Maker, blaſpheme his Name, and condemn the Diſpenſations of his Providence; like thoſe, Iſai. 8.21. And they ſhall paſs through it, hardly beſtead, and hungry, and it ſhall come to paſs, that when they ſhall be hungry, they ſhall fret themſelves, and ſhall curſe their King and their God, and ſhall look upward. Men too often Fret, Vex, Murmur, Curſe, when they meet with ſore Tryals and Afflictions. Prov. 19.3. The fooliſhneſs of Man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth againſt the Lord. When God afflicts Men for the Folly and Wickedneſs of their Ways, their Hearts often fret agai…ſt him for it.
3. When Perſons ſee others Enjoy more than they think they ſhould. Perſons are too apt to Envy thoſe whom they ſee in proſperous Circumſtances; eſpecially when they judge them unworthy of ſuch Proſperity. When thoſe who labour'd but one Hour in the Vineyard, receiv'd as much as thoſe who labour'd all Day; thoſe who had labour'd all the Day Murmured at it, though they themſelves received all they had agreed for, Mat. 20.11. The holy Pſalmiſt was envious at the fooliſh, when he ſaw the proſperity of the wicked, Pſal. 73.3. Envy always implies Murmuring in it; 'tis an implicit charging of God with an undue, unbecoming Diſtribution of his Favours. Indeed Gods Providence governs the World; His throne is prepar'd in the Heavens, his kingdom ruleth over all, Pſal. 103.19. He does according to his pleaſure in Heaven, Earth, Sea, and all deep places, Pſal. 135.6. Let Inſtruments be who or what they will, yet all Benefits and Troubles are diſtributed, ordered forth, by Divine Providence. God forms the Light, creates Darkneſs, makes Peace, creates Evil; 'tis the Lord does all theſe things, Iſai. 45.7. Men therefore ſhould look above and beyond Inſtruments, in all the Mercies and Afflictions they meet with, and conſider the Hand of God in every one of them. If therefore they Murmur when they want what they deſire; or when they meet with Loſſes in their Eſtate in their Children or other dear Relatives, indeed when they meet with any Afflictions; or when they ſee others in Proſperity whom they think unworthy of it; I ſay, if they Murmur at theſe things, 'tis plainly a faulting and condemning of what God does. We therefore now proceed to conſider,
2. The Greatneſs of this Sin. Murmuring is a very vile Impiety, a very great Sin. Diſobedience (as ſuch) to the Divine Law, is a practical contempt of Gods Authority; a ſaying, Who is the Lord that I ſhould obey him? Murmuring is an implicit faulting of Gods Government; a condemning the Steps and Methods he takes in ordering of his Creatures. Indeed there may be ſuch a thing, as faulting (and that juſtly) the Inſtruments of our Trouble, where yet there is no Murmuring againſt God; but a Patient bearing of his Hand in the Tryal. But on the other hand, when Perſons are Fretful, Impatient, Diſcontent under Afflictions, whether they have much regard to Inſtruments or not; this is Murmuring, and a great Crime it is: For it highly and baſely reflects on God, who orders and governs all things in his Providence as he pleaſeth: 'Tis an implicit judging, faulting, condemning what God does. This highly Reflects,
1. Upon Gods Sovereignty. As for Gods own Being, it is Neceſſary and Eternal. As for the Being of Creatures, it depends intirely on Gods Sovereign Pleaſure. For his pleaſure, all things are and were created, Rev. 4.11. God has made the Heaven, Earth, Sea, and all things therein; and he preſerveth them all, Neh. 9.6. 'Tis of Gods meer Sovereign Pleaſure, that he has made Creatures, and that he continues them in Being. Therefore he muſt needs have the moſt abſolute Lordſhip and Dominion over them, that poſſibly can be. He is the Supream Lord and owner of them, and may therefore order and diſpoſe of them as he ſees meet. The Earth is the Lords and the fulneſs thereof; the World and they that dwell therein, Pſal. 24.1. Therefore he may do according to his will in the Armies of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth; none may ſtay his hand, or ſay to him, what doest thou? Dan. 4.35. Perſons commonly reckon, that Men may diſpoſe of their own things as they will; as the Lord of the Vineyard ſaid, Mat. 20.15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, becauſe I am good? Surely then, the Great GOD may do what he will with his own: He's the ſovereign Potter, we are the Clay; he may make one Veſſel to Honour and another to Diſhonour as he will. Now, when Perſons Murmur and Repine at that Condition, at thoſe Circumſtances which Providence orders to them; therein they do as it were arraign and condemn Gods Sovereignty; they implicitely ſay, God has no right thus to order things as he does, at his own Pleaſure. Surely, 'tis great and daring Wickedneſs, thus to impeach and condemn Gods Sovereignty, his ſovereign Government of the World. When Peter ſaid to our Lord, What ſhall this Man do? Jeſus ſaid unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Joh. 21.21, 22. So, O Man, though thou art in great Adverſity, while God beſtows great Proſperity on others; yet, what is that to thee? May he not diſpoſe his own Favours as he will? What is that to thee, if others have Health while thou haſt Sickneſs; if others are loaded with Honour, while thou art loaded with Contempt; if others are Rich while thou art Poor; if others have their Houſes and Eſtates continu'd, while thine are taken away; if others have their Wives, Children, or other dear Relatives continu'd, while thine are taken away? Surely, God may do what he will with his own When thou doſt fret and vex at thy Condition, thou doſt Murmur againſt God; thou doſt practically condemn his Sovereignty, and ſhow thy ſelf diſpleas'd that he has the actual Government of the World in his own Hand. Thy Murmuring is as it were a practical Eſſay to rob God of his Crown, thruſt him from his Throne, and wreſt his Scepter out of his Hand. Such proud, daring Arrogance as this, muſt needs be a great and heinous Offence. Murmuring does Reflect,
2. On Gods Infinite Wiſdom. God is the Father of Lights, his Underſtanding is infinite, he is Wiſdom it ſelf. He acts with infinite Wiſdom, in all his Works of Creation and Providence too: Pſal. 104.14. O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in Wiſdom haſt thou made them all. The Lord of Hoſts is wonderful in Counſel, and excellent in Working, Iſal. 28.29. He worketh all things according to the Counſel of his own will, Eph. 1.11. God in all he does, always aims at the higheſt and beſt End, even his own Glory; he has made all things for himſelf, and he orders all things after the beſt manner that can be, to obtain this beſt End; and therefore he orders all things in infinite Wiſdom. But when Men Murmur, Repine, Fret, and are Diſcontent at the Diſpenſations of Providence; therein they reflect on Gods Wiſdom. They practically ſay, God does not know how to govern the World well and wiſely, he does not take right and proper Steps in his Rule and Conduct; for if he orders things well and wiſely, then why do they yet complain? Now it muſt needs be a very great Crime, thus to reflect on the unſearchible Wiſdom of the great God. Shall ſuch Bats, ſuch ignorant, ſhort-ſighted blind Creatures as we are, arraign and condemn the wiſe Conduct of Divine Providence? Yet thus wickedly we do, when we Murmur at Afflictions. Job 40.3. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty, inſtruct him! He that reproveth God, let him anſwer it. 'Tis wicked Arrogance, for any to pretend to inſtruct the Almighty, or reprove him for any part of his Conduct. He that Murmurs, practically ſays, that God does not govern wiſely; and this Reflection muſt needs be a great offence. Murmuring Reflects,
3. On Gods Juſtice and Righteouſneſs. Indeed▪ God is a God of Truth and without iniquity, just and right is he, Deut. 32 4. Shall not God the Judge of all the Earth, do right? Yes ſurely, he cannot do a wrong, or an unrighteous thing. He is Righteous in all his ways, and Holy in all his works, Pſal. 145.17. Men often do unjuſt things; yea, Good Men, through Ignorance, or preſent Prevalency of Corruption, ſometimes do unjuſt things, and ſo may juſtly deſerve Blame. But God is unchangibly Wiſe, Juſt, Holy, Righteous; and ſo cannot do an unjuſt thing. As 'tis impoſſible for God to lye, ſo 'tis impoſſible for God to be unjuſt, or to act unjuſtly; for there is no variableneſs with him, nor any ſhadow of turning, Jam. 1.17. Yet when Men Murmur at their Condition, they practically charge God with treating them hardly, with dealing unjuſtly with them. If they meet with no unjuſt Treatment, then they have no reaſon to find fault; therefore their finding fault plainly implies, that they think themſelves unfairly dealt with, and that they don't deſerve the tryals they meet with, or that others ought not to be ſo high, and they ſo low in the World: Ezek. 18.25. Yet ye ſay, the way of the Lord is not equal. They wickedly charg'd God with Innequality and Injuſtice in the Methods of his Providence. This was the Spirit and Temper of thoſe, Mal. 3.13, 14. Your words have been ſtout againſt me, ſaith the Lord, yet ye ſay, what have we ſpoken ſo much againſt thee? Ye have ſaid, it is vain to ſerve God; and what profit is it, that we have kept his Ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord? They ſeem evidently to complain, that God did not deal with them ſo well as he ſhould; that he did not beſtow on them the Benefits and Bleſſings which they deſerved. The ſame ill Spirit appear'd in thoſe, Iſai. 58.3. Wherefore have we fasted, ſay they, and thou ſeeſt not? Wherefore have we afflicted our ſoul, and thou takeſt no knowledge? By theſe Queries, full of Diſcontent and fretful Complaints, they practically ſaid, Gods Ways were not equal, he did not deal juſtly with them, they deſerv'd better at his Hands. This is the Heaven-provoking Language, of a Murmuring, Diſcontented Spirit. Murmuring is a great Crime, 'tis a charging of God with Injuſtice. Murmuring highly Reflects,
4. On the Goodneſs of God. Murmuring implies a contempt of, and unthankfulneſs for the Goodneſs of God. God is good, and his tender Mercies are over all his works, Pſal. 145.9. There's no Perſon in the World, but what receives more or leſs of the Tokens of Gods Goodneſs. All Men are Sinners, and the Wages of Sin is Death. Therefere all that perſons have on this ſide Death, on this ſide the unquenchible Flames of Hell, is owing to meer Divine Mercy and Kindneſs; 'tis better than they deſerve: For they are leſs than the leaſt of Gods Mercies, as Jacob confeſs'd of himſelf, Gen. 32.10. Under their heavieſt Loſſes, Tryals, Diſappointments, Afflictions, they ſhould yet ſay, God puniſhes us leſs than our Inquities deſerve; 'tis of the Lords Mercy we are not conſumed: Wherefore ſhould a living Man complain, a Man for the puniſhment of his Sins? Under our ſoreſt Afflictions, we yet have many Mercies, though we deſerve none; therefore we have always cauſe to be Thankful, but never any cauſe to Complain. But when we Murmur and Repine, it ſhows a contempt of Gods Goodneſs to us; as though it did not deſerve our Notice of it, or Thankfulneſs for it. This deſpiſing of Gods Goodneſs, muſt needs be highly provoking to him. Oh Man, doſt thou Murmur at thy Afflictions? Thou doſt Reproach God in doing it. God deals far better with thee than thou deſerveſt, thou haſt no reaſon to Repine, but much reaſon to be Thankful. Haſt thou loſt part of thy Eſtate? 'Tis a Mercy thou haſt not loſt it all. If thou haſt loſt all thy Eſtate, yet 'tis a Mercy thou haſt thy Liberty, and art not a miſerable Captive among cruel Enemies. It may be thou haſt Health and Eaſe in thy Body; that's a great Mercy. Or if thou haſt Sickneſs and Pain, yet 'tis a great Mercy that thy Sight and thy Hearing are continued to thee. 'Tis a Mercy that the uſe of thy Reaſon is continued to thee. In a Word, Sure I am, 'tis a great Mercy that thou art out of Hell, that thou art under the Goſpel, that thou haſt the Bible for thy Guide and Comfort; and ſo haſt an Opportunity to lay up Treaſures in Heaven, to ſecure an unfading Inheritance, an eternal weight of Glory. 'Tis wicked Ingratitude, a vile contempt of Gods Goodneſs, for one ſo circumſtanced as thou art; to Murmur and Repine at Troubles and Afflictions. Thus we ſee, that Murmuring is a very great Sin; it highly reflects on the Sovereignty, Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs and Goodneſs of the Great GOD; and this muſt needs be a great Offence, an high Affront indeed to the Great GOD.
Let us now conſider,
3. The danger of this Sin. The Sin of Murmuring, greatly provokes God, and expoſeth perſons to His terrible diſpleaſure. This is evident from, (1.) The threatenings he has denounc'd againſt it. (2.) The Judgments he has Inflicted for it.
1. From the threatenings he has denounc'd againſt it. When Iſrael ſaid, The way of the Lord is not equal; God threatn'd, That he would Judge every one of them according to their ways, Ezek. 18.29, 30. God threnten'd to Judge and puniſh them ſeverely, when they ſo wickedly Murmur'd at his Providence. So, Iſai. 45.9. Wo unto him that ſtriveth with his Maker: Let the Potſheards ſtrive with the Potſheards of the earth: ſhall the clay ſay to him that faſhioneth it, what makeſt thou? God threateneth thoſe, wo to thoſe, who ſtrive with their Maker, who fault and condemn his proceedings, and yet all Murmurers do ſo. Yea, wo to them indeed who ſtrive with their Maker, He'll certainly overcome. Shall we ſtrive with our Maker, contend with him? Shall we run upon the thick Boſſes of his Buckler? What can we expect but ruine, when we thus provoke Him who is infinitely more than a Match for all Creatures? 1 Cor. 10.22. Do we provoke the Lord to Jealouſ…e, are we ſtronger than he? We act moſt fooliſhly and madly againſt our own Intereſt, when we provoke the ſtrong, the Almighty God, by our Murmuring at what he does.
2. From the Judgments God has Inflicted for it. Our Text tells us, that ſome of the Iſraelites Murmured, and were deſtroyed of the deſtroyer. God deſtroy'd many of them in the Wilderneſs, for their Murmuring at his diſpenſations. Numb. 11.1. And when the People complained, it diſpleaſed the Lord; and the Lord heard it, and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and conſumed them that were in the uttermoſt parts of the camp. The People they Murmur'd and Complain'd; and God heard it, He took exact Notice of all their repining, diſcontented, complaining Words; and was ſo provok'd thereby, that he conſum'd many of them with fire. Diſcontent burnt in their hearts, brake forth in their Words or Actions or more probably in both; and kindled the fire of Gods wrath which conſum'd them. Soon after this, they Murmured for want of Fleſh to eat, tho' they had Manna enough every Day; they were not content with God's Allowance which he gave them. Well, God gave them Quails to eat, He ſent them Fleſh with a vengeance, He gate them Fleſh and a Curſe with it. For while the Fleſh was between their Teeth, ere it was chewed; the wrath of the Lord was …indled against the People, and the Lord ſmote the People with a very great Plague, Numb. 11.33. God Plagu'd 'em and kill'd 'em for their Murmuring. He gave them their deſire, and ſent leanneſs into their Soul. At another time, when the Spies gave an ill report of the Land of Canaan, the People Murmured and ſaid, Would God we had died in Aegypt, or would God we had died in this Wilderneſs, Numb. 14.2. God was ſo provok'd with this wicked wiſh, that he ſaid, v. 28, 29. As you have ſpoken in mine ears, ſo will I do to you. Your Carcaſſes ſhall fall in this Wilderneſs, and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number from twenty Years old and upward, which have Murmured againſt me. There were about Six hundred thouſand men of Iſrael, that came out of Aegypt above twenty Years old, (Exod. 12.37. Numb. 1.3.) yet none of them but Caleb and Joſhua, ever got to Canaan, the reſt died in the Wilderneſs: and 'twas their wicked Murmuring and Unbelief▪ … procur'd the Death of them. They were ſo diſcontent, that they wickedly wiſh'd they had been dead, God (in a ſort) ſays Amen to it; He threatens that they ſhould die in the Wilderneſs and he fulfill'd his threatening. Rachel in a Murmuring fit once ſaid, Give me Children or elſe I die, Gen. 30.1. God gave her Children and they kill'd her: She di'd in Travail with her Second Son, Gen. 35.19. Surely theſe things ſhow, that Murmuring is a Sin very highly provoking to God. And by the way, ſurely theſe things ſhould Caution us againſt wicked wiſhes, vile abominable Imprecations. Some are very apt to wiſh ſuch and ſuch evil things to themſelves, to their Wives, their Husbands, their Children or other Relatives; it may be they may wickedly and raſhly wiſh that they may be Hanged, or that they may never ſee one another again, or the like. 'Tis very Sinful to do thus, avoid ſuch wicked wiſhes, leſt God fulfil them in his wrath. Iſrael wiſh'd they had di'd in the Wilderneſs, God ſaid Amen to it, He was ſo provok'd that He caus'd them to die there. Let none be diſcontent and fretful, becauſe they can't have theſe and thoſe things they deſire; let them not ſay, that they can never be eaſy or content without them, leſt God ſend the things thus deſired and a Plague and Curſe with them. Rachel can't be content without Children, well then, She ſhall have Children and be kill'd in bearing them. Iſrael can't be content without Fleſh; well then, they ſhall have Fleſh and a conſuming Plague with it. Theſe things ſhould be Cautions and Warnings to others. What has been ſaid, may ſuffice for clearing of the Doctrine.
We proceed to the USE, from what we have heard we may Infer,
1. That we ſhould be deeply humble, for all that Murmuring and Diſcontent which we have been chargeable with. Murmuring too often breaks out in Words and Actions; and yet more frequently rageth in the Secret of the Soul. Though 'tis a very common Sin, yet 'tis a very great one. How often have we been Impatient, Fretful, Diſcontent at the Diſpenſations of Divine Providence? This was a charging of God fooliſhly, a ſtriving with our Maker; we ſhould be deeply humbled for it, and ſay as he, Pſal. 73.22. So fooliſh was I, and ignorant, I was as a Beaſt before thee. Job 42.6. Wherefore I abhor my ſelf, and repent in duſt and Aſhes.
2. We ſhould watch and ſtrive againſt the Sin of Murmuring. This is the Exhortation in our Text, Neither Murmur ye. To quicken and fortify us againſt this Sin, let us mind the following Directions.
1. Let us conſider, that God ſends all our Afflictions. Let Means, Inſtruments, Second Cauſes be what they will; yet we have to do with God, in all our Comforts and Afflictions too. Shall there be Evil in a City, and the Lord hath not done it? Amos 3.6. There's no Evil of Affliction, but what is of Gods ordering. Therefore, though we may be diſpleaſed with the Sin of Inſtruments that afflict us; and may grieve for the Afflictions themſelves too; yet we ſhould not Murmur at them for the ſending of them is a Divine Work. Pſal. 46.10. Be ſtill, and know that I am God. Pſal. 39.9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, becauſe thou didſt it.
2. Let us impreſs on our Minds, a firm Belief of Gods Righteouſneſs, even in the darkest Diſpenſations. The Prophet did ſo; Jer. 12.1. Righteous art thou, O Lord; yet let me talk with thee of thy Judgments. Pſal. 97.2. Clouds and darkneſs are round about him; Righteouſneſs and Judgment are the habitation of his Throne. If we cant ſee through theſe and thoſe dark Diſpenſations; yet let us firmly believe, that God does all things well and wiſely, that there is no Unrighteouſneſs with him. Patients often take Phyſick, though they don't know all the Particulars of the Compoſition, the Potion, nor the particular Nature of them; yet they truſt the Phyſitians Skill, and think that he knows and does well. Much more ſhould we think, that God always does what's beſt, though we can't at preſent ſee through the meaning of his particular Diſpenſations. Our Lord ſaid to Peter, Joh. 13.7. What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou ſhalt know hereafter.
3. Let us deeply affect our ſelves with a Senſe of our own Sinfulneſs and Unworthineſs. This Conſideration prevented Murmuring in the afflicted Prophet: Micah 7.9. I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned against him. As if he had ſaid, I have deſerv'd worſe than all this, I have no reaſon to complain. So, Dan. 9.14. — The Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth, for we obeyed not his Voice.
4. Let us get our Affections more wean'd from Earthly Things. Col. 3.2. Set your Affections on things above, not on things on the earth. If we look'd on our ſelves as Pilgrims and Strangers on Earth, who abide here as it were but for a Night; and rightly conſidered the Uncertainty, Emptineſs, Inſufficiency of Earthly Enjoyments; this would tend very much to prevent Envying and Murmuring.
5. Let us be very ſollicitous for our Spiritual Eternal Welfare. Are we Diſcontent at Afflictions? Let us thus Argue; We are Gods Children, or we are not. If we are not his Children, why are we thus concerned about outward, momentany Troubles? Inſtead of being ſo concerned at theſe Troubles, we ſhould be chiefly concerned to make our Peace with God, that we may be Safe for ever. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2.12. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure, 2 Pet. 1.10. On the other hand, if we are Gods Children, then all things ſhall work together for our good, (Rom. 8.28.) whether we can at preſent ſee how it ſhall be or not. God has Power and Faithfulneſs ſufficient to fulful his Promiſe. He can do exceeding abundantly, above all that we aſk or think, Eph. 3.20. And we ſhould not Murmur at what is profitable to us.
6. Let us be much in Prayer. In every thing, by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving, we ſhould make known our requeſts to God, Phil. 4.6. We ſhould Pray, that God would ſtrengthen us againſt all our Temptations and Corruption; that he would keep us from Sinning, and ſo particularly from Murmuring and Diſcontent. Pſal. 19.4. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy ſight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. Pſal. 119.133. Order my ſteps in thy Word; and let not any Iniquity have dominion over me.