!ART II. SERMON VI. $j follies of his friends or relatives, wfllch prudence and shame for-, bid him to tell his fellow-creatures ; and yet he wants to spread them all before God his best friend, God his dearest relative, the friend nearest to his heart. There may be many circumstan- ces and cases in life, especially in the spiritual life, which one christian couldhardlycommunicate to another, though under the strictest bonds and ties' of natural, andcivil, and sacred relation : Butwe may communicate these very affairs, these secret concerns with our God, and unburden our souls of every care without the least publicnotice. We cannot be perfectly secure of this with regard to any creature; for when we have experienced the faithfulness-of a friend manyyears, hemaypossibly be at last unfaithful : Unfaith- fulness is mingledwith our naturesince thefall, and it is impos- bible any person can beinfallibly secure from it : Ps. lxii. 9. Mon of low degree are vanity, andgreat men are a lie : but we may leave our case with our God, as secureasthoughwehad commu- nicated it to none : Nay, we may be easily secure and free in speaking, because God knows all before-hand. Our complaint adds nothing to his knowledge, although it eases our souls, and gives us sweetsatisfaction in having sucha friend to speak to. 4. A saint believes the equity, faithfulness, and the love of God ; therefore he spreads hiscase before him. His equity; that the judge of all the earth will do right; the righteons mayplead with him. His faithfulness, that he will fulfil all his promises: , andhis love, that he will take compassionon those who are of lic- ted ; he will be tender to those who are miserable. David takes occasion from this, to address God under his sufferings and sor- rows ; Ps. lxii. 1, 2. He is my rock, andmy salvation, andmy defence, Ishall not be moved; therefore my soul waits upon God; my refuge is in him. lxv. 1, 2. He is a God that hearsprayer, therefore unto him shall allflesh come. God will not account our complaints troublesome, though they be never so often repeated ; whereas men are quickly wearied with the importunities of those who are poor and needy. Great men are ready to shut their doors against those who come too often for relief; but God delights to hear often from his people, and to have them ask con- tinually at his door for mercy. Though he has Almighty power with him, saith Job, yet he will not plead against me with his great power: No, but he would put strength in me; he would . teachme how I should answer him ; how I should answer hisjus- tice, by appeals to his mercy ; and how I should speak prevail- ingly before him. 5. Lastly, A saint tells God all his circumstances and sorrows at such a season, because lie hopes for relief from him, and from him only ; for it is impossible creatures can give relief under any. s 3
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