BERTA. VT.J SINS AND SORROWS SPftR]iD" BE}6R# GÖIi. 93 is the noblest and highest friendship; all condescension and compassion on the one side, and all infirmity and dependence on the other, and yet both joined in mutual satisfaction. Amazing grace of God to man! The christian rejoices in this admirable divine indulgence, and delights in all opportunities to employand improve it. Besides, this is the way to maintain the vigour if piety, and keepall the springs of divine love ever opeii= in; and flowing in his own heart ; therefore he makes many a visit to the mercy-seat, and takes occasion from every troublesome occurrence in life, to betake himself to his knees, and improves every sorrow he meets on earth, to increase his acquaintance. with heaven. He delights to talk all his -grievances over with his God. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is a blessed example of this practice; 1 .San. i. 10. When she was in bitternes of soul; by reason of a sore affliction, and the teazing humour of her rival, she prayed to the Lorrd, and wept sore ; and when she had left her sorrows at the mercy- seat, she went away, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad; ver. 18. So saith the Christian, " I commit my sorrows to my God; he is mybest friend, and I go away, and and no more sad : I have poured out my cares into his ear, and cast my burdens upon him, andleave them there in peace:" 2. The saint knows God will understand him right, and will judge right concerning his case and his meaning. Though the expressions, it may be, are very imperfect, below the common"language of men, and propriety of speech, yet God knows the meaning of the soul; for it is his own spirit that breathes in that soul, and he knows the mind of his Spirit; Rom. viii. 27, The fi'iend-s of Job pervertedhis sense : Therefore, he turnsaside toGod, for he knows God would understand him: ;''It is "a very great advantage, when we spread our concerns before another person, to be well assured that person will take us right, will take in our meaning fully, and judge aright concerning our cause. Wow we may be assured of this, when we speak to our God : he knows otír thoughts afar off, and all cireirmstances, better infinitely than wecan tell him. These our poor imperfect expres- sions of our wants, shall be no hinderances tò his full ii4
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