ON HOSEA XIV. -VERSE 1, 2. 13 Jer. vi. 8. that the hand of God should be lifted up, and we not see it, Isa. xxvi. 11. that darkness should be upon us, and we not give glory to God, Jer. xiii. 16. This is that which should most deject us, that in mercies we have been wanton, and in judgments senseless. Get repentance by an affliction, and then you may look on it as traffic, and not as a trouble, like a merchant's voyage, which hath pain in the way, but treasure in the end. No afflictions can hurt him who is penitent. If thou escape, they will make thee the more thankful ; if not, they will bring thee the nearer and the sooner unto God. The way to be safe in times of trouble, is to get the blood of the lamb upon our doors, Exod. xii. 13. 23. All troubles have their commission and instructions from God, what to do, whither to go, whom to touch, whom to pass over. Be gold, and though the fire come upon you, you shall keep your nature and purity still. Godliness, saith the apostle, hath the promises of this life ; andamongst those one special one is, that we shall not be tempted above what we are able, 1 Cor. x. 13. neither are there indeed any distresses against which there is not a refuge and escapé for penitent sinners unto some promise or other. Against captivity : " When they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor abhor them," Lev. xxvi. 44. Against famine and pestilence : If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people. If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways ; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land," 2 Chron. vii. 13, 14. Against sickness : " The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of B
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=