offer our service, but for skill and strength to discharge it, that care we lay on him, and he allows us; and then for the event and success, with that we trust him entirely. And this is the way to walk contentedly and cheerfully homewards, leaning and resting all the way on him, who is both our guide and our strength, who hath us and all our good in his gracious hand. Much zeal for him, and desire of his glory, minding our duty in relation to that, is the thing he requires, and we bending our whole care to that, he undertakes the care of us and our condition. As that king said to his favourite, when persuading him to fidelity and diligence in his statetrust, "Do my affairs and I will do yours. Such a word directly hath St. Chrysostom, Eù proov tà tẽ θεῖ, καὶ αὐτὸς μεριμνῆσει τὸ σὸν. "If thou have a concern for the things that are God's, he will also be careful of thee and thine." The care of duty thus carried is sweet and light, doth not cut and divide the mind, it is united and gathered in God, and rests there, and walks in his hand all the way. He bears the weight of all our works, and works them in us, and for us, and therein lies our peace that he ordains for us. If thou wouldst shake off the yoke of obedience thou art likewise to be shaken off thyself; but if, in humble diligence in the ways of God, thou walk on in his strength, there is nothing concerns thee and thy work, but he will take the charge and care of it, thyself and all thine interests. Art thou troubled with fear, enemies and snares? untrouble thyself of that, for he is with thee. He hath promised to lead thee in a straight and safe path; and to rebuke all thine enemies, to subdue thine iniquities for thee", and to fight against those that fight against thee. No weapon formed against thee shall prosper*; yea, when thou passest through the water, and through the fire, he will be with thee. Doth thine own weakness discourage thee? hath he not engaged for h Micah vii. 19. Isa. xliii. 2. fisa. xxvi. 12. 8 Psal. xxvii. 11. that too? so lay over that care upon him: hath he not spoke of strengthening the weak hands and feeble knees, and that the lame shall leap as an hart? and though there is nothng in thyself but unrighteousness and weakness, yet there is in him for thee righteousness and strength". Righteousnesses, to express the abundance of righteousness. When thou art ready to faint, a look to him will revive, a believing look draws in of his strength to thy soul, and renews it°. And know, the more tender and weak thou art, the more tender he is over thee, and the more strong will he be in thee. He feeds his flock like a shepherd, and the weakest is he the most careful of; they are carried in his arms and bosom2; and it is easy for the feeblest to go so. And as for the issue and success of thy way, let not that trouble thee at all; that is the care he would have thee wholly disburden thyself of, and lay it entirely upon him. Do not vex thyself with thinking, how will this and that be? what if this and the other fall out? This is his part wholly: and if thou meddle with it, thou at once displeasest him, and disquietest thyself. This sin carries the punishment of it close tied to it. If thou wilt be struggling with that which belongs not to thee, and poising at that burden that is not thine, what wonder, yea, I may say, what pity if thou fall under it? Art thou not well served? Is it not just, that if thou wilt do for thyself, and bear for thyself, what thy Lord calls for to bear for thee, thou feel the weight of it to thy cost: But what is the way of this devolving of my burden? There is a faculty in it that every one hath not, though they would do thus with it, they cannot. It lies on them, and they are not able to cast it on God. The way is doubtless by praying and believing; those are the hands by which the soul can turn over to God what itself cannot bear, all • Isa. xl. 29. in Isa. xxxv. 3. 6. n Isa. xlv. 24 P Isa. xl. 11. cares; the whole bundle is most dexterously translated thus, Be careful in nothing; a great word. Oh! but how shall it be? why, thus, says he, In all things make your requests known unto God; and in a confident cheerful way, supplication mixt with thanksgiving. It will be the more lively and active to carry forth, and carry up thy cares, and discharge thee of them, and lay them on God. Whatsoever it is that presses thee, go tell thy Father. Put over the matter into his hand, and so thou shalt be freed from piva, that dividing perplexing care, that the world is full of. No more, but when thou art either to do or suffer any thing, when thou art about any purpose or business, go tell God of it, and acquaint him with it; yea burden him with it, and thou hast done for matter of caring: no more care, but quiet sweet diligence in thy duty, and dependence on him for the carriage of thy matters. And in this prayer, faith acts; it is a believing requesting; ask in faith, not doubting; so thou rollest over all on him, that is the very proper working of faith: the carrying the soul, and all its desires out of itself unto God, is so expressed, Roll over on God; make one bundle of all; roll thy cares and thyself with them as one burden, all on thy God. Now, faith to do this stays itself on the promise. It cannot move but on firm ground, and the promises are its ground; and for this end is this added, He careth for thee. This must be established in the heart. 1. The firm belief of the divine Providence, that all things are managed and ruled by it, and that in highest power and wisdom; that there is no breaking of his purposes, nor resisting of his power'; The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 2. The belief of his gracious Providence to his own people, that he orders all for their true advantage, and makes all different lines and ways concentre in their highest a Philip. iv. 6. $ s Psal. xxxiii. 11. VOL. II. Psal. xxxvii. 5. good; all to meet in that, how opposite soever in appearance. 3. A particular confidence of his goodwill towards thee, and undertaking for thee, Now, if this be the question, the promise resolves thee; trust him, and he takes on the trust, and there is no other. Cast on him thy care, and he takes it on, he cares for thee. His royal word is engaged not to give thee the slip, if thou do really lay it upon him", Cast thy burden upon the Lord. Hand it over, heave it upon him, and he shall sustain thee, shall bear both, if thou trust him with both; both thee and thy burden; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Inf. 1. The children of God have the only sweet life: The world thinks not so, rather looks on them as poor discontented lowering creatures; but they see not what an uncaring truly secure life they are called to. While others are turmoiling and wrestling each with his projects and burdens for himself, and at length crushed and sinking under them, (for that is the end of all that do for themselves), the child of God goes free from the pressure of all that concerns him; for it is laid over on his God. If he use his advantage he is not racked with musings, Oh! what will become of this and that; but goes on in the strength of his God as he may; offers up poor, but sincere, endeavours, to God, and is sure of one thing, all shall be well. He lays his affairs and himself on God, and so hath no pressing care: No care but the care of love, how to please, how to honour, his Lord; and in this he depends on him, too, both for skill and strength: and, touching the success of things, leaves that as none of his, to be burdened with; casts it on God, and he careth for it. They need not both care, his care alone is sufficient; hence peace, inconceivable peace, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which * Phil. iv. 6, 7. t Rom. viii. 28. u Psal. lv. 22. passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Jesus Christ. Inf. 2. But, truly, the godly are much in the wrong to themselves, by not improving this their privilege. They too often forget this their sweet way, and fret themselves to no purpose; wrestle with their burdens themselves, and do not entirely and freely roll them over on God. They are surcharged with them, and he calls for them, and yet they will not give them him. They think to spare him, but indeed in this they disobey, and dishonour, and so grieve him; and they find the grief return on them, and yet cannot learn to be wise. Why deal we thus with our God and with our souls, grieving both at once? Let it never be, that for any outward thing thou perplex thyself, and entangle thy thoughts, as in thickets, with the cares of this life. Oh! how unsuitable are these to a child of God, for whom a life so far more excellent is provided! Hath he prepared a kingdom for thee, and will he not bestow thy charges in the way to it? Think it not: He knows you have need of these things. Seek not vain things, nor great things, in the expression these things; for these, it is likely, are not fit for thee; but what is needful and convenfent, in his judgment, he will give; and refer thyself cheerfully to that judgment. Then, for thy spiritual estate, lay over upon God the care of that too: Be not so much in thorny questionings, doubting and disputing each step. Oh! is this accepted and that, and so much deadness, &c.; but apply more thyself simply to thy duty; lamely as it may be, halt on, and believe that he is gracious, and pities thee, and lay the care of bringing thee through upon him. Lie not complaining and arguing, but up and be doing, and the Lord shall be with thee". I am persuaded many a soul, that hath some truth of grace, falls much behind in the progress, by this accustomed way of endless questionings. Men can scarce be brought to y Matt. vi. 32. z 1 Chron. xxii. 16. |