84' SINS AND SORROWS SPREAD BEFORE GOD. ther with him than with all besides him. This 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 di- vine indulgence, and delights in all opportunities to employand improve it. Besides, this is theway to maintainthe»vigour ofpiety, and keep all the springs of divine love ever opening and flowing in his own ; Therefore he makes many a visit to the mercy-seat, and takes occasion from every troublesome occurrence in life, to betake himself to hisknees, 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 mo- ther of Samuel, is a blessed example of this practice ; 1 Sam. i. 10. When she was in bitterness of soul, by reason of a sore affliction, and the teasing humour of her rival, she prayed to the Lord, and wept sore : andwhen she had left her sorrows at the mercy-seat, she went away, and did did eat, andher coun- tenance was no more sad ; ver. 18. So saith the christian, " I commit my sorrows to my God ; he is my best friend, and I go away, and am no more sad : I have poured out my cares into his ear, and cast myburdens upon him, and leave them there in peace." 2. The saint knows God will understandhim right, andwill judge right concerning his case and his meaning. Though the expréssions, 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 friends of Job perverted his sense : Therefore he turns aside to God, for heknows God wouldunderstandhim. Itis a very great advantage, when we spreadour concerns before another person, tobe well assured that person will takeus right, will take in our meaning fully, and judge aright concerning our cause. Now we may be assured of this, when we speak to our God : he knows our thoughts afar off, and all circumstances, better infinitelythan we can tell him. These our poor imperfect expressions of our wants, shall be no hinderances to his full supplies, nor any bar to his exercise of friendship towards us. 3. A saint pours out his soul before God, because he is sure of secrecy there. Howmany things are there transacted between God and a holy soul, that relate to guilt and inward workings of iniquity, that he could never publish to the world ! and many things also that concern his conduct in life, his embarrassments of spirit, his difficulties his follies, or the obstinacy, guilt, or
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