power that cannot be withstood. In him, too, we have a faithfulness that is altogether inviolate and incapable of change. What, then, have we to fear? The serpent, no doubt, is subtle, and the devices of Satan are very deep; but can he elude the eye of our heavenly Protector, or by any means defeat His purpose? Our enemies too, both within and without, are mighty but what have we to fear, who have a Protector that is Almighty? "If God be for us, who can be against us "?" Let our enemies be ever so numerous, we may safely affirm that "they who be with us, are more than they who be with them;" and if we have no more than a lamp and a trumpet against an armed host, we shall in Jehovah's name prevail against them all. A stone out of the brook shall suffice us to destroy our mightiest adversary; yea, his own sword shall serve us for the instrument whereby to complete our triumph.] 2. To assure us of victory over all our enemies [Amongst men, a banner is only a signal to enlist them for the combat: but with God it is a pledge of victory. See how David regarded it: "In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye then to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? for, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at him that is perfect; and, if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple: the Lord's throne is in heaven':" and, whilst he is there, you need not attempt to alarm me: I know my security, and defy the efforts of all my enemies. It was this consideration that enabled Paul also to hurl defiance at his enemies, and to assure himself of victory, as much as if it had been already gained And we also, in dependence on our God, may dismiss every fear, and anticipate, as already ours, the glory and felicity that await ust.] APPLICATION What now can I say more but this? 1. Fear God— [You will observe, that this is the description of the persons to whom his banner was given: and for them is the same privilege reserved in every age. Let not any undervalue this grace; for, in truth, it is that which as assuredly interests us in the divine favour as love itself. Of course, it is a filial fear of which we speak: and he who possesses that, may divest himself of every other fear; "Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, or of the son of man, that Þ Judg. vii. 15—22. s Rom. viii. 33-39. shall be as grass, and forgettest the Lord thy Maker"?" Beloved Brethren, "sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself in your hearts, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."] 2. Trust in God [Excellent was that resolution of the Psalmist, "In the name of our God we will set up our banners ." It is not possible for our confidence to be too strong, provided only it be humble. There are, I confess, two different kinds of confidence, which yet I consider as dangerous in the extreme: one of them is founded upon systematic notions of divine truth, without any mixture of holy fear; and the other arises from some dream or vision, or enthusiastic conceit, about the word coming to their mind in a peculiar way. Against both of these I would guard you with all my might. The only confidence that is pleasing to God is that which is softened with fear, and tempered with contrition. Let that be in exercise to the utmost possible extent, and then you may adopt the entire language of this psalm: "I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver: Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.' The plain import of all which is concentrated in the concluding verse," Through God I shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down my enemies." Only trust in God; and then, in every place where you go, you may behold an altar with this inscription: "Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is my bannerz." Yea, the very graces which you exercise shall be in you a pledge, that God will fulfil and perfect in you the good work he has begun.] u Isai. li. 12, 13. x Isai. viii. 12, 13. z Exod. xvii. 15. DXCVIII. ADVICE TO THE AFFLICTED. Ps. lxi. 2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. IN whatever situation we be, we shall find both consolation in the promises, and direction in the examples, that are recorded for our use in the Sacred Writings. But in seasons of affliction principally, will the holy Oracles be found precious, because they exhibit to us God's dearest children in similar circumstances, and point out to us the means, which they, in their troubles, found effectual for their relief. In recommending the example of David, we shall, I. Mention some seasons wherein our hearts are apt to be overwhelmed This is a vale of tears to all: but to some more especially, 1. From temporal calamities [Bodily pains, loss of friends, embarrassed circumstances, will weigh down the spirits even of the best. And though, at times, religion will enable them to triumph in the midst of all their tribulations, yet its more common operation is, to moderate their grief, to produce resignation in their souls, and to sanctify the affliction to their spiritual advancement.] 2. From spiritual troubles [The first convictions of penitents are often accompanied with the deepest anguish; insomuch that, if God did not support them by a hope of his mercy, they might, like Judas, destroy themselves in utter despair. Their subsequent views also of their indwelling corruptions are frequently attended with such dejection, as quite to enervate the body and overwhelin the soul. If to these be added the hidings of God's face, the soul may have a foretaste even of hell itself in the miseries that it endures.] 3. From the near prospect of death [To a person enjoying the divine presence, death has no terrors it is a welcome messenger, that cannot come too soon. But to one in spiritual darkness and desertion, it is inexpressibly dreadful; and the whole world would appear but a small price to pay for the respite of a few days. The ungodly, it is true, too often die as insensible as the beasts: but the godly, who know the terrors of the Lord, cannot pass through that dreary valley without extreme horror, unless they have an inward witness of their acceptance with God.] The example in the text may serve as a model, while we endeavour to, II. Shew how we should conduct ourselves in those Rom. vii. 24. c Ps. lxxvii. 2-9. N. B. " overwhelmed." e Ps. lv. 4, 5. and perhaps Isai. xxxviii. 10-14. 1. To speak generally, we should betake ourselves to prayer [God is the only source of strength and consolation. If we apply to the creature in our distress, we shall invariably find him but a broken reed. On the contrary, the pressure that is on our minds will, for the most part, increase: or, if the trouble be removed, the removal will prove a heavier judgment than its continuance. But if we apply with humility to a throne of grace, the desired effect will almost instantly appears. There is no trouble from which prayer has not extricated the sons of men it prolonged the life of Hezekiah; brought Jonah from the bottom of the sea; and restored to peace the tempest-tossed soul of David. For us also, if it be fervent, it shall effectually prevail': there is no disquietude which it shall not pacify, no sorrow which it shall not turn into songs of joy m." Wherever we are therefore, even "at the very ends of the earth," and however circumstanced, we should make our requests known unto God, in order to the attainment of solid peace".] 66 2. More particularly, we should beg of God to lead us to the Saviour [David, though a king, had no sufficiency in himself: he was forced to look to one higher than himself, even to Jesus, the Rock of his salvation. But how should he come to Jesus, unless the Father should draw him?? Hence he prayed so fervently, that God would "lead" him to that Rock. Thither then must we also go; for there alone can we find stability. Does guilt appal us? nothing but the blood of Jesus can compose our minds. Do temptations harass us? nothing but his grace can enable us to withstand them'. Do accumulated troubles threaten to overwhelm us? we can both do and suffer all things, if HE strengthen us; yea, we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved us. Like a shipwrecked mariner standing on a rock, we may defy the waves that roar beneath our feet. Such was the experience of David himselft; and such shall be ours also, if the storms that threaten us drive us for security to that place of safety. Let us then, in every affliction, look to Jesus as our help; and, with a deep impression of our inability to go to him aright, let us cry unto God, "Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I!”] f Hos. v. 14. Isai. xxxi. 3. h 2 Kings xx. 1—6. 1 Jam. v. 16. • Ps. lxxxix. 19. 2 Cor. xii. 9. i Jonah ii. 1—7. t Ps. xl. 1-3. N. B. "the rock." g Isai. lxv. 24. ADDRESS 1. Those who experience no overwhelming troubles [However serene the sky at present be, no man knows how soon a storm may arise. But supposing our voyage through life be ever so favourable, it must come to an end: and what shall we do in the hour of death without an interest in Christ? Above all, what must become of us, if we be not fixed upon that Rock at the day of judgment? Let us then improve our tranquil hours in securing an establishment on Christ Jesus; that, however suddenly calamities may come, or death may summon us into the presence of our God, we may be found standing immovably on the Rock of ages. Then, like Noah, shall we rejoice in God's favour, when thoughtless myriads shall be overwhelmed in the deluge of his wrath.] 2. Those who are bowed down under trouble [You are but too apt to carry your complaints to men, instead of spreading them before God. What wonder then you find no deliverance? Has not David told you, that this was his very experience; and that nothing but the use of this remedy afforded him relief"? Chide then, and resist, your backwardness to prayer. Lay the blame, not on God, who is willing to impart help, but on yourselves, who are unwilling to implore it. Your troubles are sent on purpose to drive you to the Saviour, whom, in a time of prosperity, you are too prone to neglect: and if you suffer them to produce that effect, you shall soon number them amongst your richest blessings.] u Ps. xxxii. 3—5. DXCIX. GOD OUR ONLY AND ALL-SUFFICIENT HELP. Ps. lxii. 5-8. My soul, wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. THERE is scarcely any thing that more offends the ignorant and ungodly, than a profession of maintaining fellowship with Jehovah, and of receiving from him certain communications which are unknown to the world at large. Such pretensions are considered by them as the offspring of spiritual pride |