TheCrookintheLot

TheSovereigntyandWisdomofGodDisplayedintheAfflictionsofMen

byThomasBoston

TableofContents

IntroductoryRemarks

PROPOSITIONI.WhatsoeverCrookthereisinone'sLot,itisofGod'smaking.

I.AstotheCrookitself.

II.TheCrookisofGod'smaking.Howitisofhismaking.Whyhemakesit.

PROPOSITIONII:WhatGodseesmeettomar,weshallnotbeabletomendinourLot.WhatCrookGodmakesinourLot,weshallnotbeabletoeven.

I.God'smarringandmakingaCrookinone'sLot,asheseesmeet.

II.Men'sattemptingtomendoreventheCrookintheirLot.

III.Inwhatsenseitistobeunderstood,thatweshallnotbeabletomend,oreventheCrookinourLot.

IV.Somereasonsofthepoint.DirectionsforrightlymanagingtheapplicationforremovingtheCrookinourLot.

PROPOSITIONIII:ConsideringtheCrookintheLot,astheworkofGod,isapropermeanstobringonetobehaverightlyunderit.

I.WhatitistoconsidertheCrookastheworkofGod.

II.HowitistobeunderstoodtobeapropermeanstobringonetobehaverightlyundertheCrook.

III.Thatitisapropermeanstobringonetobehaverightlyunderit.

AcomparisonbetweentheLowlyandProud.

DocT.—Thereisagenerationoflowly,afflictedones,havingtheirspiritloweredandbroughtdowntotheirlot;whosecase,inthatrespect,isbetterthanthatoftheproudgettingtheirwill,andcarryingalltotheirmind.

I.Thegenerationofthelowlyafflictedones.

II.Thegenerationoftheproudgettingtheirwillandcarryingalltotheirmind.

III.Itisbettertobeinalowafflictedcondition,withthespirithumbleandbroughtdowntothelot,thantobeofaproudandhighspirit,gettingthelotbroughtuptoit,andmattersgoaccordingtoone'smind.Humilitythegreatmeanstobringalltotheirrespectiveduties.

Doctrine.I.Thebentofone'sheart,inhumblingcircumstances,shouldbetowardsasuitablehumblingofthespirit,asunderGod'smightyhandplacingusinthem.

II.WhatarethosehumblingcircumstancesthemightyhandofGodbringsmeninto.

III.Whatitisinhumblingcircumstances,tohumbleourselvesunderthemightyhandofGod.

Directionsforreachinghumiliation.

Doctrine.II.Induetime,thosethathumblethemselvesunderthemightyhandofGodwillcertainlybeliftedup.

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IntroductoryRemarks

A just view of afflicting incidents is altogether necessary to a Christiandeportmentunderthem;andthatviewistobeobtainedonlybyfaith,notbysense;foritisthelightoftheworldalonethatrepresentsthemjustly,discovering in them the work of God, and consequently, designsbecomingtheDivineperfections.Whentheyareperceivedbytheeyeoffaith, and duly considered, we have a just view of afflicting incidents,fitted toquell the turbulentmotions of corrupt affections under dismaloutwardappearances.

ItisunderthisviewthatSolomon,intheprecedingpartofthischapter,advancesseveralparadoxes,whicharesurprisingdeterminationsinfavorofcertain things, that, to theeyeofsense, lookinggloomyandhideous,are therefore generally reputed previous and shocking. He pronouncesthedayofone'sdeathtobebetterthanthedayofhisbirth;namely,thedayof thedeathofone,who,havingbecomethe friendofGod throughfaith,hasledalifetothehonorofGod,andserviceofhisgeneration,andin this way raised to himself the good and savvy name better thanpreciousointment.Inlikemanner,hepronouncesthehouseofmourningtobepreferabletothehouseof feasting,sorrowto laughter,andawiseman's rebuke to a fool's song. As for that, even though the latter areindeed themore pleasant, yet the former are themore profitable. Andobservingwithconcern,howmenareinhazard,notonlyfromtheworld'sfrownsandill-usage,oppressionmakingawisemanmad,butalsofromits smiles and caresses, a gift destroying the heart. Therefore, sincewhatever way it goes there is danger, he pronounces the end of everyworldly thing better than the beginning of it. And from the whole he

justly infers, that it is better to be humble and patient than proud andimpatient under afflicting dispensation; since, in the former case, wewiselysubmittowhatisreallybest;inthelatter,wefightagainstit.Andhe dissuades from being angry with our lot, because of the adversityfound in it. He cautions againstmaking odious comparisons of formerand present times, in that point insinuating undue reflections on theprovidence of God: and, against that querulous and fretful disposition.Hefirstprescribesageneralremedy,namely,holywisdom,asthatwhichenablesus tomake thebest of everything, andevengives life inkillingcircumstances; and then a particular remedy, consisting in a dueapplication of that wisdom, towards taking a just view of the case:"Consider theworkofGod: forwho canmake that straightwhichHehasmadecrooked?"

Inwhichwordsareproposed,1.Theremedyitself;2.Thesuitablenessofit.

1.TheremedyitselfisawiseeyeingofthehandofGodinallwefindtobear hard on us: "Consider thework of God,"namely, in the crooked,rough,anddisagreeablepartsofyourlot,thecrossesyoufindin it.Youseeverywellthecrossitself.Yea,youturnitoverandoverinyourmindand leisurelyview itonall sides.You look to thisand theother secondcauseofit,andsoyouareinafoamandafret.But,wouldyoubequietedand satisfied in the matter, lift up your eyes towards heaven, see thedoingofGodinit,theoperationofHishand.Lookatthat,andconsideritwell;eyethefirstcauseofthecrookinyourlot;beholdhowitistheworkofGod,Hisdoing.

2. Such a view of the crook in our lot is very suitable to still improperrisings of heart, and quiet us under them: "For who can make thatstraightwhichGodhasmadecrooked?"Astothecrookinyourlot,Godhasmadeit;anditmustcontinuewhileHewillhaveitso.Shouldyouplyyour utmost force to even it, or make it straight, your attempt will bevain:itwillnotchangeforallyoucando.OnlyHewhomadeitcanmendit, ormake it straight. This consideration, this view of thematter, is apropermeansatoncetosilenceandtosatisfymen,andsobringthemtoa dutiful submission to theirMaker and Governor, under the crook intheirlot.

PROPOSITION I.Whatsoever Crook there is in one'sLot,itisofGod'smaking.

Now,wetakeupthepurposeofthetextunderthesethreeheads.

I.Whatevercrookthereisinourlot,itisofGod'smaking.

II.WhatGodseesfittomar,noonewillbeabletomendinhislot.

III.TheconsideringofthecrookinthelotastheworkofGod,orofHismaking,isapropermeanstobringustoaChristiandeportmentunderit.

I.Whatevercrookthereisinourlot,itisofGod'smaking.

Here,twothingsaretobeconsidered,namely,thecrookitself,andGod'smakingofit.

1.Astothecrookitself,thecrookinthelot,forthebetterunderstandingofit,thesefewthingsthatfollowarepremised.

First. There is a certain train or course of events, by the providence ofGod, falling toeveryoneofusduringour life in thisworld.And that isour lot, as being allotted to us by the sovereign God, our Creator andGovernor,"inwhosehandourbreathis,andwhoseareallourways."Thistrainofeventsiswidelydifferenttodifferentpersons,accordingtothe will and pleasure of the sovereign Manage, who orders men'sconditionintheworldinagreatvariety,somemovinginahigher,someinalowersphere.

Second.Inthattrainorcourseofevents,somefallout,crosstous,andagainstthegrain;andthesemakethecrookinourlot.Whilewearehere,there will be cross events, as well as agreeable ones, in our lot andcondition.Sometimesthingsaresoftlyandagreeablyglidingon;but,byand by, there is some incidentwhich alters that course, grates us, andpanesus,as,whenwehavemadeawrongstepwebegintolimp.

Third.Everybody'slotinthisworldhassomecrookinit.Complainersare

apttomakeodiouscomparisons.Theylookabout,andtakeadistantviewoftheconditionofothers,candiscernnothinginitbutwhatisstraight,and just to one's wish; so they pronounce their neighbor's lot whollystraight.Butthatisafalseverdict;thereisnoperfectionhere;nolotoutofheavenwithoutacrook.For,asto"alltheworksthataredoneunderthe sun, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which iscrooked cannot bemade straight. "Whowould have thought but thatHaman's lot was very straight, while his family was in a flourishingcondition,andheprosperinginrichesandhonor,beingprimeministerofstateinthePersiancourt,andstandinghighintheking'sfavor?Yettherewas,at thesaline time,acrook inhis lot,whichsogalledhim, that"allthis availed him nothing. " Every one feels for himself, when he ispinched,thoughothersdonotperceiveit.Nobody's lot, inthisworld, iswholly crooked; there are always some straight and even parts in it.Indeed, whenmen's passions, having gotten up, have cast a mist overtheirminds,theyarereadytosay,alliswrongwiththem,nothingright.But,thoughinhellthattaleisandeverwillbetrue,yetitisnevertrueinthisworld.Forthere,indeed,thereisnotadropofcomfortallowed;buthere it always holds good, that "it is of the Lord'smercies we are notconsumed."

Fourth.Thecrookinthelotcameintotheworldbysin:itisowingtothefall,"Byonemansinentered into theworld,anddeathbysin;"underwhichdeaththecrookinthelotiscomprehended,asastateofcomfortorprosperity is, in Scripture style, expressed by living. Sin so bowed theheartsandmindsofmen,thattheybecamecrookedinrespectoftheholylaw;andGodjustlysobowedtheir lot, that itbecamecrookedtoo. Andthiscrookinourlotinseparablyfollowsoursinfulcondition,tilldroppingthisbodyofsinanddeath,wegetwithinheaven'sgates.

Thesebeingpremised,a crook in the lot speaks, ingeneral, two things,(1.) Adversity, (2.) Continuance. Accordingly it makes the day ofadversity, opposed in the day of prosperity, in the verse immediatelyfollowingthetext.

Thecrook in the lot, is,First,someoneorotherpieceofadversity.Theprosperouspartofone'slot,whichgoesforwardaccordingtoone'swish,isthestraightandevenpartofit;theadversepart,goingacontraryway,

isthecrookedpartofit.Godhasintermixedthesetwoinmen'sconditioninthisworld;that,asthereissomeprosperityinit,makingthestraightline, so there is also some adversity,making the crooked. Thismixturehasplace,notonly in the lotof saints,whoare told, that"in theworldthey shall have tribulation, " but even in the lot of all, as alreadyobserved.Secondly,itisadversityofsomecontinuance.Wedonotreckonitacrooked thing,which, though forciblybent andbowed together, yetpresentlyrecoversitsformerstraightness.Thesearetwingesoftherodofadversity,whichpassedlikeastitchonone'sside,all is immediatelysetto right's again; one's lotmay be suddenly overclouded, and the cloudvanishbeforeheisaware.Butunderthecrook,onehavingleisuretofindhissmart,isinsomeconcerntogetthecrookmadestraight.Sothecrookinthelotisadversity,continuedforashorterorlongertime.

Nowthereisathreefoldcrookinthelotincidenttothechildrenofmen.

1.Onemadebyacrossdispensation,which,howeverinitselfpassing,yethaslastingeffects.SuchacrookdidHerod'scrueltymakeinthelotofthemothersinBethlehem,whobythemurdererswereleft"weepingfortheirslainchildren,andwouldnotbecomforted,becausetheywerenot."Aslipofthefootmaysoonbemade,whichwillmakeamangolimpingeverafter. "As the fishes are taken in an evil net: so are the sons of mensnaredinaneviltime."Athingmayfallout inamomentunderwhichthepartyshallgohaltingtothegrave.

2.Thereisacrookmadebyatrainofcrossdispensation,whetherofthesame or different kinds, following hard on one another, and leavinglastingeffectsbehindthem.ThusinthecaseofJob,whileonemessengerofeviltidingswasyetspeaking,anothercame.Crosseventscomingoneontheneckofanother,deepcallingtodeep,makeasorecrook.Inthatcase,thepartislikeonewhorecoveringhisslidingfootfromoneunfirmpiece of ground, sets it on another equally unfirm, which immediatelygives way under him too; or, like one who, travelling in an unknownmountainous track, after having with difficultymade his way over onemountain,isexpectedtoseetheplaincountry;butinsteadtherecomesinview,timeaftertime,anewmountaintobepassed.ThiscrookisAsaph'slotnearly tohavemadehimgiveupallhisreligion,untilhe"went intothesanctuary,"wherethismysteryofprovidencewasunriddledtohim.

Solomon observes, "That there are just men to whom it happensaccording to theworkof thewicked. "Providencetaking a runagainstthem,asiftheyweretoberundownforgoodandall.Whoevertheyaretowhoselifeinnopartofitaffordsthemexperienceofthis,surelyJosephmissednotofitinhisyoungdays,norJacobinhismiddledays,norPeterinhisolddays,norourSaviorallHisdays.

3.Thereisacrookmadebyonecrossdispensation,withlastingeffectsofitcomingintheroomofanotherremoved.Thiscrookstraightened,thereisanothermadeinitsplace:andsothereisstillacrook.LackofchildrenhadlongbeenthecrookinRachel'slot.Thatwasatlengthmadeeventohermind;butthenshegotanotherinitsstead,hardlaborintravailingtobringforth.Thisworld isawilderness, inwhichwemay indeedgetourstationchanged;but themovewillbeoutofonewilderness toanother.Whenonepartofthelotismadeeven,quicklysomeotherpartofitwillbecrooked.

Moreparticularly, thecrook in the lothas in it four thingsofthenatureofthatwhichiscrooked.

(1.)Disagreeableness.A crooked thing iswayward; and, being laid to arule,answers itnot,butdeclines fromit.There isnot, inanybody's lot,anysuchthingasacrook,inrespectofthewillandpurposesofGod.Takethe most harsh and dismal dispensation in one's lot and lay it to theeternal decree, made in the depth of infinite wisdom before the worldbegan,anditwillansweritexactly,withouttheleastdeviation,"allthingsbeingworkedafterthecounselofHiswill."LayittotheprovidentialwillofGod,inthegovernmentoftheworld,andthereisaperfectharmony.IfPaul is to be bound at Jerusalem, and "delivered into the hands of theGentiles,"itis"thewilloftheLorditshouldbeso."Thereforethegreatestcrook of the lot on earth is straight in heaven. There is nodisagreeablenessinit there.But ineveryperson's lotthereisacrookinrespect of theirmindandnatural inclination.The adversedispensationliescrosstothatrule,andwillbynomeansanswerit,norharmonisewithit.WhenDivineProvidencelaystheonetotheother,thereisamanifestdisagreeableness—the man's will goes one way, and the dispensationanotherway—thewill bends upwards, and cross events press down: sothey are contrary. And there, and only there, lies the crook. It is this

disagreeablenesswhichmakesthecrookinthelotfitmatteroftrialandexercise to us in this our state of probation: in which, if you wouldapprove yourself toGod,walkingby faith,notby sight, youmustquietyourself in thewillandpurposeofGod,andnot insist that it shouldbeaccordingtoyourmind.

(2)Unsightliness.Crookedthingsareunpleasanttotheeye;andnocrookin the lot seems to be joyous, but grievous, making an unsightlyappearance. Therefore men need to beware of giving way to theirthoughtstodwellonthecrookintheirlot,andofkeepingittoomuchinview.Davidshowsahurtfulexperienceofhis,inthatkind."WhileIwasmusingthefireburned"Jacobactedawiserpart,calledhisyoungestsonBenjamin,thesonoftherighthand,whomthedyingmotherhadnamedBenoni,thesonofmysorrow.Bythismeansprovidingthatthecrookinhis lot should not be set afresh in his view on every occasion ofmentioning the name of his son. Indeed, a Christianmay safely take asteadyand leisurely viewof the crook inhis lot in the light of theholyWord,whichrepresentsitasthedisciplineofthecovenant.Sofaithwilldiscover a hidden sightliness in it, under a very unsightly outwardappearance; perceiving the suitableness of it to the infinite goodness,love,andwisdomofGod,andtotherealandmostvaluable interestsoftheparty;bywhichmeansonecomes to takepleasure,and thatamostrefinedpleasure, indistress.Butwhatever the crook in the lot is to theeyeoffaith,itisnotallpleasanttotheeyeofsense.

(3.)Unfitnessformotion.Solomonobservesthecauseoftheuneasyandungracefulwalkingofthelame;"Thelegsofthelamearenotequal."Thisuneasiness they find, who are exercised about the crook in their lot: ahigh spirit anda lowadverse lotmakesgreatdifficulty in theChristianwalk.There isnothing that gives temptationmore easy access than thecrook in the lot; nothing more apt to occasion out-of-the-way steps.Therefore,saystheapostle,"Makestraightpathsforyourfeet,lestthatwhichislamebeturnedoutoftheway."Theywhoarelaboringunderitaretobepitied,then,andnottoberigidlycensured;thoughtheyarerarepersonswho learn this lesson, till taught by their own experience. It islongsinceJobmadeanobservationinthiscase,whichholdsgoodtothisday;He that is ready to slipwith his feet, is as a lampdespised in the

thoughtofhimthatisatease.

(4.) Aptness to catch hold and entangle, like hooks, "fish-hooks." Thecrookinthelotdoessoveryreadilymakeimpression,toberufflingandfretting one's spirit, irritating corruption, that Satan fails not to makediligentuseofitforthesedangerouspurposes;whichpointoncegainedbythetempter,thetempted,beforeheisaware,findshimselfentangledasinathicket,outofwhichhedoesnotknowhowtoextricatehimself.Inthat temptation itoftenproves likeacrookedsticktroublingastandingpool,whichnotonlyraisesupthemudallover,butbringsup fromthebottom some very ugly thing. Thus it brought up a spice of blasphemyandatheisminAsaph'scase;"Verily Ihavecleansedmyheart invain,andwashedmyhandsininnocence:"asifhehadsaid,thereisnothingatallinreligion,itisavainandemptything,thatprofitsnothing;Iwasafool tohavebeenincareaboutpurityandholiness,whetherofheartorlife.Ah!isthisthepiousAsaph?Howisheturnedsoquiteunlikehimself!But the crook in the lot is a handle by which the tempter makessurprisingdiscoveriesoflatentcorruptioneveninthebest.

Thisisthenatureofthecrookinthelot;letusnowobservewhatpartofthelotitfallsin.Threeconclusionsmaybeestablisheduponthishead.

First. Itmay fall inanypartof the lot; there isnoexemptedone in thecase:for,sinbeingfoundineverypart,thecrookmaytakeplace inanypart.Being "all asanunclean thing,weall fadeasa leaf: "Themainstream of sin, which the crook readily follows, runs in very differentchannels in the case of different persons. And in regard of the variousdispositionsofthemindsofmen,thatwillproveasinkingweighttoone,whichanotherwouldgoverylightlyunder.

Secondly.Itmayatoncefallintomanypartsofthelot,theLordcalling,asinasolemnday,one'sterrorsroundabout.SometimesGodmakesonenotable crook in aman's lot; but its namemay be Gad, being but theforerunner of a troopwhich comes. Then the crooks aremultiplied, sothatthepartyismadetohaltoneachside.Whileonestream,letinfromone quarter, is running full against him, another is let in on him fromanotherquarter,tillintheendthewatersbreakinoneveryhand.

Thirdly. It often falls in the tender part; Imean, that part of the lot inwhichoneisleastabletobearit,oratleastthinksheisso."Itwasnotanenemythatreproachedme,thenIcouldhaveborneit.Butitwasyou,amanmyequal,myguide,andmyacquaintance."Ifthereisanyonepartof the lotwhichofallothersone isdisposed tonestle in, the thornwillreadily be laid there, especially if he belongs to God; in that thing inwhichheis leastofallabletobetouched,hewillbesuretobepressed.There the trialwill be taken of him; for there is the grand competitionwithChrist. "Itake from them thedesiresof their eyes,and thatuponwhichtheysettheirminds."Sincethecrookinthelotisthespecialtrialappointed for every one, it is altogether reasonable, and becoming thewisdomofGod,thatitfallonthatwhichofanthingsmostrivalshim.

Butmore particularly, the crookmay be observed to fall in these fourpartsofthelot.

First, in the natural part, affecting persons considered as of the makeallottedforthembythegreatGodthatformedanthings.Theparentsofmankind, Adam and Eve, were formed together sound and entire,withouttheleastblemish,whetherinsoulorbody;butintheformationof their posterity, there often appears a notable variation from theoriginal.Bodilydefects,superfluities,deformities, infirmities,naturaloraccidental, make the crook in the lot of some. They have somethingunsightly or grievous about them. Crooks of this kind, more or lessobservable, are very common and ordinary; and the best are notexempted from them; and it is purely owing to sovereignpleasuretheyarenotmorenumerous.TendereyesmadethecrookinthelotofLeah.Rachel'sbeautywasbalancedwithbarrenness,thecrookinherlot.Paul,thegreatapostleoftheGentiles,wasitshouldseem,nopersonableman,but amean outward appearance, for which fools were apt to condemnhim.Timothywasofaweakandsicklyframe.Andthereisayetfarmoreconsiderable crook in the lot of the lame, the blind, the deaf, and thedumb.Someareweaktoadegreeintheirintellects;anditisthecrookinthelotofseveralbrightsoulstobeovercastwithclouds,notablybemistedand darkened, from the crazy bodies they are lodged in. An eminentinstance of which we have in the grave, wise, and patient Job, "goingmourning without the sun; yea, standing up and crying in the

congregation."

Secondly, itmay fall in thehonorarypast.There is anhonordue toallmen, the small as well as the great, and that upon the ground of theoriginal constitutionofhumannature,as itwas framed in the imageofGod.ButinthesovereigndisposalofholyProvidence,thecrookinthelotofsomefanshere;theyareneglectedandslighted;theircreditisstillkeptlow;theygothroughtheworldunderacloud,beingputintoanillname,theirreputationsunk.

Thissometimesisthenaturalconsequenceoftheirownfoolishandsinfulconduct;as in thecaseofDinah,who,byhergaddingabroad to satisfyher youthful curiosity, regardless of, and therefore not waiting for, aprovidential call, brought a lasting stain on her honor. But where theLordintendsacrookofthiskindinone'slot,innocencewillnotbeabletowarditoffinanill-naturedworld;neitherwilltruemeritbeabletomakeheadagainstit,tomakeone'slotstandstraightinthatpart.ThusDavidrepresents his case. "They that saw me without, fled from me. I amforgottenasadeadmanoutofmind. Iam likeabrokenvessel.For Ihaveheardtheslanderofmany."

Thirdly,itmayfallinthevocationalpart.Whateverisaman'scallingorstationintheworld,beitsacredorcivil,thecrookintheirlotmaytakeit's place in it. Isaiah was an eminent prophet, butmost unsuccessful.Jeremiahmetwithsucha trainofdiscouragementsand illusage in theexerciseofhissacredfunction,thathewasveryneargivingitup,saying,"Iwillnotmakementionofhim,norspeakanymoreinhisnone."ThePsalmistobservesthiscrookoftentobemadeinthelotofsomemenveryindustrious in their civil business, who sow in the fields; and at times"God blesses them - and does not allow their cattle to decrease. Butagain, they are minished and brought low, through oppression,afflictionandsorrow."SuchacrookwasmadeinJob'slotafterhehadlong stood even. Some manage their employments with all care anddiligence; the husbandman carefully laboring his ground; the sheep-master,"diligenttoknowthestateofhisflocks,andlookingwelltohisherds;" the tradesman early and late at his business; the merchantdiligently plying his, watching and falling in with the most fair andpromisingopportunities;butthereissuchacrookinthatpartoftheirlot,

asalltheyareabletodocanbynomeansmakeeven.Forwhy?Themostproper means used for compassing an end are insignificant without awordofDivineappointment,commandingtheirsuccess."Whoishethatsays,anditcomestopass,whentheLorddoesnotcommandit?"Peopleplytheirbusinesswithskillandindustry,butthewindturnsintheirface.Providence crosses their enterprises, disconcerts their measures,frustrates their hopes and expectations, renders their endeavorsunsuccessful, and so puts and keeps them still in straitenedcircumstances. "So the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to thestrong,neitheryetbreadtothewise."Providenceinterposing,crooksthemeasureswhichhumanprudenceandindustryhadlaidstraighttowardstherespectiveends;sotheswift losetherace,andthestrongthebattle,and thewisemissofbread;while in themean time, someoneofotherprovidential incident, supplying the defect of human wisdom, conduct,andability,theslowgaintheraceandcarrytheprize; theweakwinthebattleandenrichthemselveswiththespoil;andbreadfallsintothelapofthefool.

Lastly,itmayfallintherelationalpart.Relationsarethejointsofsociety;andtherethecrookinthelotmaytakeplace,one'ssmartestpainbeingoften felt in these joints. They are in their nature the springs ofman'scomfort; yet, they often turn the greatest bitterness to him. Sometimesthiscrookisoccasionedbythelossofrelation.Thusacrookwasmadeinthe lotofJacob,bymeansof thedeathofRachel,hisbelovedwife,andthelossofJoseph,hissonanddarling,whichhadliketohavemadehimgohaltingtothegrave.Joblamentsthiscrookinhislot,"Youhavemadedesolate all my company; "meaning his dear children, every one ofwhomhehadlaidinthegrave,notsomuchasonesonordaughterlefthim.Again,sometimesitismadethroughtheafflictinghandofGodlyingheavyonthem:which,invirtueoftheirrelation,recoilsontheparty,asisfeelingly expressed by that believing woman, "Have mercy on me, OLord;mydaughterisgrievouslyvexed."Ephraimfeltthesmartoffamilyafflictions, "whenhe calledhis son'snameBeriah,because itwent evilwithhishouse."Sinceallisnotonlyvanity,butvexationofspirit,itcanhardlymiss but the more of these springs of comfort are opened to aman,hemustatone timeorother findhehasbut themore sourcesofsorrows to gush out and spring in on him; the sorrow always

proportionedtothecomfortfoundinthem,orexpectedfromthem.And,finally,thecrookissometimesmadeherebytheirprovinguncomfortablethroughthedisagreeablenessoftheirtemperanddisposition.Therewasa crook in Job's lot, by means of an undutiful, ill-natured wife. InAbigail'sbymeansofasurly, ill-temperedhusband.InEli'sthroughtheperverseness and obstinacy of his children. In Jonathan's through thefurious temper of his father. So do men oftentimes find their greatestcrosswhere they expected their greatest comfort. Sinhasunhinged thewholecreation,andmadeeveryrelationsusceptibleofthecrook.Inthefamily are found masters hard and unjust, servants froward andunfaithful; in a neighbourhood,men selfish anduneasy; in the church,ministers unedifying, and offensive in their walk, and peoplecontemptuousanddisorderly,aburdentothespiritsofministers;inthestate, magistrates oppressive, and discountenancers of that which isgood,andsubjectsturbulentandseditious.Allthesecausecrooksinthelotoftheirrelatives.Andthusfarofthecrookitself.

II. Having seen the crook itself, we are in the next place toconsiderofGod'smakingit.Andhereistobeshown,1.ThatitisofGod'smaking.2.Howitisofhismaking.3.Whyhemakesit.

First.Thatthecrookinthelot,whateveritis,isofGod'smakingappearsfromthesethreeconsiderations.

First, It cannot be questioned but the crook in the lot, considered as acrook, isapenalevil,whateverit isforthematterof it;thatis,whetherthethinginitself,itsimmediatecauseandoccasion,aresinfulornot,itiscertainlyapunishmentofaffliction.Now,asitmaybe,assuch,holilyandjustlybroughtonus,byourSovereignLordandJudge, soheexpresslyclaims thedoingormakingof it. "Shall therebe evil ina city,and theLordhasnotdoneit?"Wherefore,sincetherecanbenopenalevilbutofGod'smaking, and the crook in the lot is such an evil, it is necessarilyconcludedtobeofGod'smaking.

Secondly,itisevident,fromtheScripturedoctrinesofdivineprovidence,thatGodbringsabouteveryman'slot,andallthepartsofit.Hesitsatthehelmof human affairs, and turns themabout inwhateverway he lists.

"WhatevertheLordpleased,thatHedidinheavenandinearth,intheseas and all deep places. " There is not anything whatever befalls uswithouthisoverrulinghand.Thesameprovidencethatbroughtusoutofthewomb,bringsus to,andfixesus in theconditionandplaceallottedfor us, by him who "has determined the times and the bounds of ourhabitation. " It overrules the smallest andmost casual thingsaboutus,suchas"hairsofourheadbeingallnumbered;"a"lotcastintothelap."Yea,thefreeactsofourwill,bywhichwechooseforourselves:foreven"theking'sheartisinthehandoftheLord,asriversofwater."Andthewholestepswemake,andwhichothersmakeinreferencetous;for"thewayofman isnot inhimself; it isnot inman thatwalks todirecthissteps. "And this, whether these steps causing the crook are deliberateand sinful ones, such as Joseph s brothers selling him into Egypt; orwhether they are undesigned, such as manslaughter purely casual, aswhen one hewing wood kills his neighbor with "the head of the axeslipping from the helve. "Forthere is a holy andwise providence thatgovernsthesinfulandtheheedlessactionsofmen,asariderdoesalamehorse,ofwhosehalting,nothe,butthehorse'slamenessisthetrueandpropercause;whereforeintheformerofthesecases,Godissaidtohavesent Joseph into Egypt, and in the latter, to deliver one into hisneighbor'shand.

Lastly,Godhas,byaneternaldecree, immovableasmountainsofbrassappointedthewholeofeveryone's lot, thecrookedpartof it,aswellasthestraight.Bythesameeternaldecree,bywhichthehighandlowpartsof the earth, the mountains and the valleys, were appointed, are theheights and the depths, the prosperity and adversity, in the lot of theinhabitantsoftheredetermined;andtheyarebroughtabout,intime,inaperfectagreeablenessthere.

Themysteryofprovidence,inthegovernmentoftheworld,is,inallthepartsofit,thebuildingrearedupofGod,inexactconformitytotheplaninhisdecree,"whoworksallthingsafterthecounselofhisownwill."Sothatthereisneveracrookinone'slotbutmayberunuptothisoriginal.Of this Job piously sets us an example in his own case: "He is in onemind, andwho can turnhim?andwhathis soul desires, even that hedoes.Forheperformsthethingthatisappointedforme;andmanysuch

thingsarewithhim."

Second.ThatwemayseehowthecrookinthelotisofGod'smaking,wemustdistinguishbetweenpuresinlesscrooksandimpuresinfulones.

First, there are pure and sinless crooks; which are mere afflictions,cleanly crosses, grievous indeed, but not defiling. Such was Lazarus'spoverty, Rachel's barrenness, Leah's tender eyes, the blindness of themanwhohadbeensofromhisbirth.Now,thecrooksofthiskindareofGod'smaking,bytheefficacyofhispowerdirectlybringingthemtopassandcausingthemtobe.Heisthemakerofthepoor."Whosomocksthepoor, reproaches hisMaker; " that is, reproaches God whomade himpoor,accordingtothat,"TheLordmakespoor."Itishethathasthekeyofthewomb,andasheseesmeetshutsit,oropensit.Anditis"Hethatforms the eyes. "And themanwas "bornblind, that theworksofGodshould be made manifest in him. " Therefore he says to Moses, "whomakes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?Have not I, theLord? "Such crooks in the lot are of God'smaking in themost amplesense, and in their full comprehension, being the direct effects of hisagency,aswellastheheavensandtheearth.

Secondly,Thereareimpuresinfulcrooks,which,intheirownnature,aresinsaswellasafflictions,defilingaswellasgrievous.SuchwasthecrookmadeinDavid'slot,throughhisfamilydisorders,thedefilingofTamar,themurderofAmnon,therebellionofAbsalom,allofthemunnatural.OfthesamekindwasthatmadeinJob'slot,bytheSabeansandChaldeanstaking away his substance and slaying his servants. As these were theafflictions of David and Job respectively, so they were the sins of theactors,theunhappyinstrumentsofit.Thusoneandthesamethingmaybe to one a heinous sin, defiling and laying him under guilt, and toanotheranafflictionlayinghimundersufferingonly.Now,thecrooksofthis kind are not ofGod'smaking, in the same latitude as those of theformer;forHeneitherputsevilintheheartofany,norstirsuptoit."Hecannotbetemptedwithevil,neitherdoesHetemptanyman."Buttheyareofhismaking,byhisholypermissionofthem,powerfulboundingofthem,andwiseoverrulingofthemtosomegoodend.

1st.Heholilypermitsthem,sufferingmen"towalkintheirownways."

ThoughHeisnottheauthorofthosesinfulcrooks,causingthemtobe,bytheefficacyofHispower;yet, ifHedidnotpermit them,willingnot tohinderthem,theycouldnotbeatall;for"Heshutsandnomanopens."ButHejustlywithholdsHisgracewhichthesinnerdoesnotdesire,takesoff the restraintunderwhichhe is uneasy, and since the sinnerwill begone, lays the reins on his neck, and leaves him to swing of his lust."Ephraimisjoinedtoidols;lethimalone.""IsraelwouldnoneofMe:soIgavethemuptotheirownheart's lusts."Inwhichunhappysituationthesinfulcrookdoes,fromthesinner'sownpropermotion,naturallyandinfalliblyfollow;evenaswaterrunsdownahill,whereverthereisagapleftopenbeforeit.Sointhesecircumstances,"Israelwalkedintheirowncounsels."AndthusthiskindofcrookisofGod'smaking,asajustjudge,punishingthesuffererbyit.ThisviewofthemattersilencedDavidunderShimei's cursings; "Let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord hasbiddenhim."

2ndly.Hepowerfully bounds them. "The remainder ofwrath" (that is,the creature's wrath) "you shall restrain. " Did not God bound thesecrooks,howeversoretheyareinanyone'scase,theywouldbeyetsorer.ButHe says to the sinful instrument, asHe said to the sea, "Until thistimeyoushallcome,butnofurther;andhereyourproudwavesshallbestayed."Helaysarestrainingbandonhim,thathecannotgoonestepfarther,inthewayhisimpetuouslustdrives,thanheseesmeettopermit.Thusitcomestopass,thatthecrookofthiskindisneithermorenorless,but just as great as He by His powerful bounding makes it to be. Aneminent instance of this we have in the case of Job, whose lot wascrooked through a peculiar agency of the devil; but even to that grandsinnerGodsetaboundinthecase:"TheLordsaidtoSatan,Behold,allthathehasisinyourpower,onlydonotputforthyourhandonhim."Now,Satanwentthefulllengthofthebound,leavingnothingwithinthecompassofituntouched,whichhesawcouldmakeforhispurpose.Buthecouldbynomeansmoveonestepbeyondittocarryhispoint,whichhecouldnotgainwithinit.Andtherefore,tomakethetrialgreater,andthe crook sorer, nothing remains but that the bound set should beremoved,andthesphereofhisagencyenlarged;forwhichcausehesays,"Buttouchhisboneandhis flesh,andhewill curseYou toYour face;"anditbeingremovedaccordingly,butwithalanewoneset,"Behold,heis

inyourhand,butsavehislife;"thecrookwascarriedtotheutmostthatthenewboundwouldpermit,inaconsistencywithhisdesignofbringingJobtoblaspheme;"Satansmotehimwithsoreboils,fromthesoleofhisfoot to the crown of his head. " And had it not been for this bound,securing Job's life, he, after finding this attempt unsuccessful too, haddoubtlessdespatchedhimatonce.

3rdly. He wisely overrules them to some good purpose, becoming theDivine perfections.While the sinful instrument has an ill design in thecrook caused by him, God directs it to a holy and good end. In thedisordersofDavid'sfamilyAmnon'sdesignwastogratifyabrutishlust;Absalom's to glut himself with revenge, and to satisfy his pride andambition;butGodmeantbythatmeanstopunishDavidforhissininthematterofUriah.InthecrookmadeinJob'slot,bySatan,andtheSabeansand Chaldeans, his instruments, Satan's design was to cause Job toblaspheme,andtheirstogratifytheircovetousness;butGodhadanotherdesigninthiswaybecomingHimself,namely,tomanifestJob'ssincerityanduprightness.Didhenotwiselyandpowerfullyoverrulethosecrooksmade in men's lot, no good could come out of them, hut He alwaysoverrulesthemsoastofulfilHisownholypurposesinthisway(howbeitthesinnermeansnotso);forHisdesignscannotmiscarry,His"counselshallstand."Sothesinfulcrookis,bytheoverrulinghandofGod,turnedabouttoHisowngloryandHispeople'sgoodintheend.Accordingtotheword, "The Lord has made all things for Himself. " "All things worktogetherforthegoodtothemthatloveGod."ThusHaman'splotforthedestruction of the Jews "was turned to the contrary. "And the crookmadeinJoseph'slot,byhisownbrotherssellinghimintoEgypt,thoughitwasontheirpartmostsinful,andofamostmischievousdesign;yet,asitwasofGod'smaking,byhisholypermission,powerfulbounding,andwiselyoverruling it,hadanissuewellbecomingtheDivinewisdomandgoodness; both of which Joseph notices to them: "As for you, youthoughtevilagainstme;butGodmeantittogood,tobringtopass,asitisthisday,tokeepmanypeoplealive."

III.ItremainstoinquirewhyGodmakesacrookinone'slot?Andthisisto be cleared by discovering the design of that dispensation: a matterwhichitconcernseveryonetoknow,andcarefullytonotice,inordertoa

Christianimprovementofthecrookintheirlot.Thedesignofitseemstobechieflysevenfold.

First,thetrialofone'sstate,whetheroneisinthestateofgraceornot?Whether a sincere Christian, or a hypocrite? Though every affliction istrying, yet here I conceive lies the main providential trial a man isbroughtinto,withreferencetohisstate;forasmuchasthecrookinthelotbeingamatterofcontinuedcourse,onehasoccasiontoopenandshowhimselfagainandagaininthesamething;fromwhereitcomestopass,that itministersground foradecision in thatmomentouspoint. Itwasplainly on this foundation that the trial of Job's state was put. Thequestionwas,whetherJobwasanuprightandsincereservantofGod,asGod himself testified of him: or but a mercenary one, a hypocrite, asSatanallegedagainsthim?Andthetrialofthiswasputonthecrooktobemadeinhislot.Accordingly,thatwhichallhisfriends,saveElihu,thelastspeaker,did,intheirreasoningswithhimunderhistrial,aimat,wastoprove him a hypocrite; Satan thus making use of these good men forgaininghispoint.AsGodmade trial of Israel in thewilderness, for theland of Canaan, by a trial of afflicting dispensations, which Caleb andJoshuabearingstrenuously,weredeclaredsuitabletoenterthepromisedland,ashavingfollowedtheLordfully;whileothersbeingtriedoutwiththem,theircarcassesfellinthewilderness;soHemakestrialofmenforheaven, by the crook in their lot. If one can stand that test, he ismanifestedtobeasaint,asincereservantofGod,asJobwasprovedtobe; ifnot,heisbutahypocrite;hecannotstandthetestofthecrookinhislot,butgoesawaylikedrossinGod'sfurnace.Amelancholyinstanceof which we have in that man of honor and wealth, who, with highpretences of religion, arising from a principle of moral seriousness,addressed himself to our Savior, to know "what he should do that hemight inherit eternal life. "OurSavior, todiscover theman tohimself,makesacrookinhislot,whereallalongbeforeithadstoodeven,obliginghim,byaprobatorycommand,tosellandgiveawayallthathehad,andfollowHim: "Sellwhateveryouhave, andgive to thepoor, and come,takeupthecrossandfollowMe."Bythismeanshewasatthatmoment,inthecourtofconscience,strippedofhisgreatpossession;sothatfromthattimeforwardhecouldnolongerkeepthemwithagoodconscience,as hemight have done before. Theman instantly felt the smart of this

crookmadeinhislot;"hewassadatthatsaying;"thatis,immediatelyuponthehearingofit,beingstruckwithpain,disorder,andconfusionofmind, his countenance changed, became cloudy and lowering, as thesamewordisused.Hecouldnotstandthetestofthatcrook;hecouldbynomeanssubmithislottoGodinthatpoint,butbehovedtohave it,atanyrate,accordingtohisownmind.Sohe"wentawaygrieved, forhehadgreatpossessions."HewentawayfromChristbacktohisplentifulestate,andthoughwithapainedandsorrowfulheart,sathimdownagainonitaviolentpossessorbeforetheLord,thwartingtheDivineorder.Andthere isnoappearancethateverthisorderwasrevoked,orthateverhecametoabettertemperinreferencetoit.

Secondly,excitationtoduty,weaningonefromthisworld,andpromptinghim to look after the happiness of the other world. Many have beenbeholdentothecrookintheirlot,forthatevertheycametothemselves,settled,and turnedserious.Going fora time likeawildassused to thewilderness,scorningtobe turned, their foothasslid indue time;andacrook being by that means made in their lot, their mouth has comewhereintheyhavebeencaught.Thuswastheprodigalbroughttohimself,andobligedtoentertainthoughtsofreturningtohisfather.Thecrookintheirlotconvincesthematlengththattheirrestisnothere.Findingstillapricking thornofuneasiness,whenever they laydown theirheadwheretheywouldfaintakerestinthecreature,andthattheyareobligedtoliftitagain, theyarebrought to conclude there isnohope from thatquarter,andbegintocastaboutforrestanotherway,soitmakesthemerrandstoGod,whichtheydidnothavebefore;forasmuchastheyfeelaneedofthecomfortsoftheotherworld,towhichtheirmouthswereoutoftastewhiletheir lotstoodevento theirmind.Wherefore,whateverusewemakeofthecrookinourlot,thevoiceofitis,"Ariseanddepart,thisisnotyourrest. "And it is surely that which of all means of mortification, of theafflictiveking,mostdeadensarealChristiantothislifeandworld.

Thirdly, conviction of sin. As when one walking heedlessly is suddenlytakenillofalameness:hisgoinghaltingtherestofhiswayconvinceshimofhavingmadeawrongstep;

andeverynewpainfulstepbringsitafreshtohismind.SoGodmakesacrook in one's lot, to convince him of some false step he hasmade, or

coursehehastaken.Whatthesinnerwouldotherwisebeapttooverlook,forget,orthinklightof,isbythismeansrecalledtomind,setbeforehimasanevilandbitterthing,andkeptinremembrance,thathisheartmayeverynowandthenbleedforitafresh.Thus,bythecrook,men'ssinfindsthemouttotheirconviction,"asthethiefisashamedwhenheisfound."ThewhichJoseph'sbrothers feelinglyexpress,underthecrookmade intheir lot inEgypt:"weareverilyguilty concerningourbrother;" "Godhasfoundouttheiniquityofyourservants."Thecrookinthelotusuallyin its nature of circumstances, so naturally refers to the false step orcourse, that itserves foraprovidentialmemorialof it,bringing thesin,though of an old date, fresh to remembrance, and for a badge of thesinner's folly, inwordordeed, tokeep it ever before him.When JacobfoundLeah, throughLaban'sunfairdealing,palmedonhim forRachel,howcouldhemissofastingingremembranceofthecheathehad,sevenyears at least before, put on his own father, pretending himself to beEsau?How could itmiss of galling him occasionally afterwards duringthe course of themarriage?Hehad imposed onhis father the youngerbrotherfortheelder;andLabanimposedonhimtheeldersisterfortheyounger.ThedimnessofIsaac'seyesfavouredtheformercheat;andthedarknessof the eveningdid asmuch favor the latter. Sohebehoved tosay,asAdoni-bezekinanothercase,"AsIhavedone,soGodhasrequitedme. " In likemanner,Rachel, dying in childbirth, could hardly avoid amelancholy reflection onher rash andpassionate expression, "Givemechildren,orelseIdie."EvenholyJobread,inthecrookinhislot,somefalsestepshehadmadeinhisyouth,manyyearsbefore:"Youwritebitterthingsagainstme,andmakemepossesstheiniquitiesofmyyouth."

Fourthly,correction,orpunishment,forsin.Innothingmorethaninthecrookofthelotisthatwordverified,"Yourownwickednessshallcorrectyou, and your backslidings shall reprove you. "Godmay, for a time,winkatone's sinwhichafterwardhewill setabrandofhis indignationupon, incrookingthesinner's lot,ashedidinthecaseofJacob,andofRachel, mentioned before. Though the sin was a passing action, or acourseofnolongcontinuance,themarkoftheDivinedispleasureforit,setonthesinnerinthecrookofhislot,maypainhimlongandsore,thatbyrepeatedexperiencehemayknowwhatanevilandbitterthingitwas.David'skillingUriahbytheswordoftheAmmoniteswassoonover;but

forthatcause"theswordneverdepartedfromhishouse."GehaziquicklyobtainedtwobagsofmoneyfromNaaman, inthewayof falsehoodandlying;butasalastingmarkoftheDivineindignationagainsttheprofanetrick,hegotwithalaleprosywhichcravetohimwhilehelived,andtohisposterity after him. This may be the case, as well where the sin ispardonedastotheguiltofeternalwrath,aswhereitisnot.Andonemayhaveconfessedandsincerely repentedof thatsin,whichyet shallmakehimgohaltingtothegrave,thoughitcannotcarryhimtohell.Aman'spersonmaybeacceptedintheBeloved,whoyethasaparticularbadgeoftheDivinedispleasure,withhissinhungonhiminthecrookofhis lot."YouwereaGodthatforgavethem,thoughyoutookvengeanceontheirinventions."

Fifthly, preventing of sin. "Iwill hedge up yourwaywith thorns, andmakeawallthatsheshallnotfindherpaths."Thecrookinthelotwillreadily be found to lie cross to some wrong bias of the heart, whichpeculiarlyswayswiththeparty;soitislikeathorn-hedgeorwallintheway which that bias inclines him to. The defiling objects in the worldspecially take and prove ensnaring, as they are suited to the particularcastoftemperinmen;butbymeansofthecrookinthelot,thepaintandvarnishiswornoffthedefilingobject,bywhichitlosesitsformertakingappearance.Thus, the edge of corrupt affections is blunted, temptationweakened,andmuchsinprevented;thesinner,after"gaddingaboutsomuch to change his way, resuming ashamed " Thus the Lord crooksone'slotthat"hemaywithdrawmanfromhispurpose,andhidepridefrommen;" and so "he keeps back his soul from the pit. " Every oneknowswhatismostpleasanttohim;butGodaloneknowswhatismostprofitable.As allmenare liars, so allmenare fools too.He is the onlywiseGod.Manyareobligedtothecrookintheirlot,thattheydonotgotothoseexcesseswhichtheirvainmindsandcorruptaffectionswouldwithfull sail carry them to; and theywould from their hearts blessGod formakingit,iftheydidbutcalmlyconsiderwhatwouldmostlikelybetheissue of the removal of it.When one is in hazard of fretting under thehardship of bearing the crook, he would do well to consider whatconditionheisasyetintobearitsremovalinaChristianmanner.

Sixthly,discoveryoflatentcorruption,whetherinsaintsorsinners.There

aresomecorruptionsineveryman'sheart,whichlie,asitwere,sonearthesurface, that theyarereadyonevery turntoriseup;but then thereareothersalsowhichliesoverydeep,thattheyarescarcelyobservedatall.Butasthefireunderthepotmakesthescumriseup,appearontop,and run over; so the crook in the lot raises up from the bottom, andbringsoutsuchcorruptionasotherwiseonecouldhardly imagine tobewithin.WhowouldhavesuspectedsuchstrengthofpassioninthemeekMosesashediscoveredatthewatersatstrife,andforwhichhewaskeptoutofCanaan?Orsomuchbitternessof spirit in thepatientJob, as tochargeGodwithbecomingcrueltoHim?Somuchill-natureinthegoodJeremiah,astocursenotonlythedayofhisbirth,buteventhemanwhobroughttidingsofittohisfather?OrsuchatangofatheismisAsaph,astopronouncereligionavainthing?Butthecrookinthelot,bringingoutthese things, showed them to have beenwithin, how long so-ever theyhad lurked unobserved. And as this design, however indecently proudscoffers allow themselves to treat it, is in noway inconsistentwith theDivine perfections; so the discovery itself is necessary for the duehumiliationofsinners,andtostaintheprideofallglory, thatmenmayknowthemselves.Bothwhichappear, in that itwason this verydesignthatGodmadethelong-continuedcrookinIsrael'slotinthewilderness;eventohumblethemandprovethem,toknowwhatwasintheirheart.

Seventhly,theexerciseofgraceinthechildrenofGod.Believers,throughtheremainsofindwellingcorruption,areliabletofitsofspirituallazinessand inactivity, in which their graces lie dormant for the time. Besides,there are some graces which of their own nature are but occasional intheir exercise, as being exercised only upon occasion of certain thingswhich they have a necessary relation to, such as patience and long-suffering.Now,thecrookinthelotservestorouseupaChristiantotheexerciseofthegraces,overpoweredbycorruption,andwithaltocallforthto action the occasional graces,ministering proper occasions for them.The truth is, the crook in the lot is the great engine of Providence formakingmenappear in their true colours,discoveringboth their ill andtheir good.And if the grace ofGod is in them, itwill bring it out, andcauseittodisplayitself.ItsoputstheChristiantohisshifts,thathoweveritmakes him stagger for awhile, yet it will at length evidence both therealityand thestrengthofgrace inhim."Youare inheaviness through

manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much moreprecious than of gold that perishes, may be found unto praise. "Thecrook in the lot gives rise tomany acts of faith, hope, love, self-denial,resignation,andothergraces;tomanyheavenlybreathings,partings,andgroanings,whichotherwisewouldnotbebrought forth.AndImakenoquestionbutthesethings,howeverbycarnalmendespisedastrifling,aremore precious in the sight of God than even believers themselves areaware of, being acts of immediate internal worship; and will have asurprising notice taken of them, and of the sum of them, at long run.However itmaybe thepersons themselvesoftencanhardly think themworth their own notice at all. The steady routing of a gallant army orhorseandfoottotheroutingoftheenemyishighlyprized;buttheactingofholyfearandhumblehopeisinrealityfarmorevaluable,asbeingsointhesightofGod,whosejudgment,wearesure,isaccordingtotruth.ThisthePsalmist teaches: "Hedelights not in the strength of thehorse;Hetakesnotpleasureinthelegsofaman.TheLordtakespleasureinthemthatfearHim,inthosethathopeinHismercy."Andindeedtheexerciseof thegracesofhisSpirit inhispeople is soveryprecious inHis sight,that whatever grace any of them excel in, they will readily get such acrookmade in their lot aswill be a special trial of it, that willmake aproof of its full strength. Abraham excelled in the grace of faith, intrustingGod'sbarewordofpromiseabovethedictatesofsense;andGod,givinghima promise that hewouldmake of him a great nation,madewithalacrookinhislot,bywhichhehadenoughadowithallthestrengthofhis faith;whilehewasobliged to leavehis countryandkindred,andsojournamong theCanaanites; hiswife continuing barren, till past theageofchild-bearing;andwhenshehadatlengthbroughtforthIsaac,andhewasgrownup,hewascalledtoofferhimupforaburnt-offering,themoreexquisitetrialofhisfaith,thatIshmaelwasnowexpelledhisfamily,and that it was declared, that in Isaac only his seed should be called."Moseswasverymeekaboveallthemenwhichwereonthefaceoftheearth."Andhewas entrustedwith the conduct of amost perverse andunmanageable people, the crook in his lot plainly designed for theexerciseofhismeekness.Jobexcelledinpatience,andbythecrookinhislot,hegotasmuchtodowithit.ForGodgivesnoneofhispeopletoexcelinagift, but some time or other hewill afford themuse for thewholecompassofit.

Now, the use of this doctrine is threefold. (1.) For reproof. (2.) Forconsolation.And(3.)forexhortation.

Use1.Forreproof.Anditmeetswiththreesortsofpersonsasreprovable.

First,Thecarnalandearthly,whodonotwithaweandreverenceregardthecrookintheirlotasofGod'smaking.Thereiscertainlyasignatureofthe Divine hand on it to be perceived by just observers; and thatchallenges an awful regard, the neglect ofwhich forebodes destruction."BecausetheydonotregardtheworksoftheLord,northeoperationofHishands,Heshalldestroythem,andnotbuildthemup."Andinthatthey are deeply guilty, who, pouring on second causes, and looking nofurtherthantheunhappyinstrumentsofthecrookintheir lot,overlookthefirstcause;asadogsnarlsatthestone,butdoesnotlooktothehandthatcastsit.Thisis,ineffect,tomakeaGodofthecreature;soregardingit,asifitcouldofitselfeffectanything,whileinthemeantimeitisbutaninstrumentinthehandofGod,"therodofHisanger.""OrdainedofHimfor judgment, established for correction. " Oh! Why should menterminatetheirviewontheinstrumentsofthecrookintheirlot,andsomagnifytheirscourges?Thetruthis,theyare,forthemostpart,rathertobepitied,ashavinganundesirableoffice,whichfortheirgratifyingtheirowncorruptaffections, inmakingthecrookinthe lotofothers,returnsontheirownheadatlengthwithavengeance,asdid"thebloodofJezreelonthehouseofJehu."Anditisspeciallyundesirabletobesoemployedin the case of such as belong to God; for rarely is the ground of thequarrelthesameonthepartoftheinstrumentasonGod'spart,butverydifferent;witnessShimei'scursingDavidasabloodyman,meaningthebloodofthehouseofSaul,whichhewasnotguiltyof,whileGodmeantitofthebloodofUriah,whichhecouldnotdeny.Moreover,thequarrelwillbe, at length, taken up between God and His people; and then theirscourgers will find they had but a thankless office. "I was but a littledispleased, and they helped forward the affliction, " says God, inresentmentoftheheathencrookingthelotofHispeople.Inlikemannerare theyguiltywho impute thecrook in their lot to fortune,or their ill-luck,whichinverydeedisnothingbutacreatureofimagination,framedforablindtokeepmanfromacknowledgingthehandofGod.Thus,what

the Philistines doubted, they do more impiously determine, saying, ineffect,"ItisnotHishandthatsmoteus,itwasachancethathappenedtous. "And,finally, those also are guilty,who, in thewayof givingupthemselvestodespisethecrookintheirlot,tomakenothingofit,andtoforget it. I question not, but one committing his case to the Lord, andlooking to Him for remedy, in the first place, may lawfully call in themoderateuseofthecomfortsof lifeforhelpinthesecondplace.Butasfor that course so frequentandusual in this caseamongcarnalmen, ifthe crook of the lot really is, as indeed it is, of God'smaking, it mustneedsbeamostindecent,unbecomingcourse,tobeabhorredofallgoodmen.'Myson,despisenotthechasteningoftheLord."Itissurelyaverydesperate method of cure, which cannot miss of issuing in somethingworsethanthedisease,howeveritmaypalliateitforawhile."InthatdaydidtheLordGodofhostscalltoweepingandtomourning,andbeholdjoyandgladness,eatingfleshanddrinkingwine:anditwasrevealedinmyears,by theLordofhosts,Surely this iniquity shallnotbepurgedfromyoutillyoudie."

Secondly, the unsubmissive, whose hearts, like the troubled sea, swellandboilfretandmurmur,andcannotbeatrestunderthecrookintheirlot. This is a most sinful and dangerous course. The apostle Jude,characterisingsome,"towhomisreservedtheblacknessofdarknessforever,"saysof them,"thesearemurmurers,complainers,"namely,stillcomplainingoftheirlot,whichistheimportofthewordhereusedbytheHoly Ghost. For, since the crook in their lot, which their unsubduedspiritscanbynomeanssubmitto,isofGod'smaking,thistheirpracticemustneedsbeafightingagainstGod.Andthesetheircomplainingsandmurmurings are indeed against Him, whatever face they put on them.ThuswhentheIsraelitesmurmuragainstMoses,Godchargesthemwithmurmuring against Himself. "How long shall I bear with this evilcongregation, which murmured against Me? " Ah! May not He whomade and fashioneduswithout our advice, be allowed tomake our lottoo, without asking our mind, but we must rise up against Him onaccountofthecrookmadeinit?Whatdoesthisspeak,butthattheproudcreaturecannotendureGod'swork,norbearwhatHehasdone?Andhowblackanddangerousisthattemperofspirit!Howisitpossibletomissofbeingbrokentopiecesinsuchacourse?"Heiswiseinheart,andmighty

instrength:whohashardenedhimselfagainsthimandhasprospered?"

Thirdly, thecarelessandunfruitful,whodonotset themselvesdutifullyto complywith the design of the crook in their lot.God and nature donothinginvain.Sincehemakesthecrook,thereis,doubtless,abecomingdesigninit,whichweareobligedindutytofallinwith,accordingtothat,"Hear the rod. "And, indeed, if one did not shut his own eyes, but iswilling tounderstand,hemayeasilyperceive thegeneraldesignof it tobe,toweanhimfromthisworld,andmovehimtoseekandtakeuphisheart'srestinGod.Andnatureandthecircumstancesofthecrookitselfbeingdulyconsidered,itwillnotbeveryhardmaketoamoreparticulardiscovery of the design of it. But, alas! the careless sinner, sunk inspiritual sloth and stupidity, is in no concern to discover the design ofProvidence in the crook; so he cannot fall in with it, but remainsunfruitful;andall thepains takenonhimby thegreatHusbandman inthe dispensation are lost. ' They cry out by reason of the arm of themighty;"groaningunder thepressureof the crook itself, andweightofthe hand of the instrument of it: "But none said, What is God myMaker?"theylooknot,theyturnnottoGod.

Use2.Forconsolation.ItspeakscomforttotheafflictedchildrenofGod.Whateveristhecrookinyourlot,itisofGod'smaking;andthereforeyoumaylookuponitkindly.SinceitisyourFatherwhohasmadeitforyou,questionnotbutthereisafavourabledesigninittowardsyou.Adiscreetchildwelcomeshisfather'srod,knowingthat,beingafather,heseekshisbenefit in thisway; and shall notGod's childrenwelcome the crook intheirlot,asdesignedbytheirFather,whocannotmistakeHismeasures,toworkfortheirgood,accordingtothepromise?Thetruthis,thecrookinthelotofabeliever,howpainfulitproves,isapartofthedisciplineofthecovenant, thenurturesecuredtoChrist'schildrenbythepromiseofthe Father. "If His children forsake My law, and do not walk in Myjudgments, then I will visit their transgressions with the rod."Furthermore, all who are disposed to betake themselves toGod, underthecrookintheirlotmaytakecomfortinthis,letthemknowthatthereisno crook in their lot but theymay bemade straight; for Godmade it,surelythenHecanmend it.HehimselfcanmakestraightwhatHehas

madecrooked,thoughnoneothercan.ThereisnothingtoohardforHimtodo:"Heraisesupthepooroutofthedust,andliftstheneedyoutofthedung-hill; that he may set him with princes. He makes the barrenwomantokeephouse,andtobeajoyfulmotherofchildren."Donotsaythatyourcrookhasbeenofsolongcontinuance,thatitwillnevermend.PutitinthehandofGod,whomadeit,thatHemaymendit,andwaitonHim. And if it is for your good that it should be mended, it shall bemended; for "no good thing will He withhold from them that walkuprightly."

Use3.Forexhortation.SincethecrookinthelotisofGod'smaking,then,eyeingthehandofGodinyours,bereconciledtoit,andsubmitunderitwhatever it is. I say, eyeing the hand of God in it, for otherwise yoursubmissionunderthecrookinyourlotcannotbeaChristiansubmission,acceptable to God, having no reference to Him as your party in thematter.

Object.1.Butsomewillsay,'Thecrookinmylotisfromthehandofthecreature;andsuchaonetooasIdesertednosuchtreatmentfrom."

Ans.Fromwhathasbeenalreadysaid,itappearsthat,althoughthecrookin your lot is indeed immediately from the creature's hand, yet it ismediatelyfromthehandofGod;beingnothingofthatkind,nopenalevil,but the Lord has done it. Therefore without all peradventure, GodHimselfistheprincipalparty,whoeveristhelessprincipal.AndalthoughyouhavenotdeservedyourcrookatthehandoftheinstrumentwhichHemakesuseofforyourcorrection,youcertainlydeserveitatHishand;andHemaymakeuseofwhatinstrumentHewillinthematter,ormaydoitimmediatelybyHimself,evenasseemsgoodinHissight.

Object. II. "But the crook in my lot might quickly be evened, if theinstrument or instruments of it pleased: only there is no dealing withthem,soastoconvincethemoftheirfaultinmakingit."

Ans.Ifitisso,besureGod'stimeisnotasyetcomethattheclockshouldbe made even; for if it were come, though they stand now like animpregnablefort,theywouldgivewaylikeasandybankunderone'sfoot;"theywouldbowdowntoyouwiththeirfacetowardtheearth,andlick

up thedustofyour feet. "Meanwhile, that state of thematter is so farfromjustifyingone'snoteyeingthehandofGodinthecrookinthe lot,that it makes a piece trial in which His hand very eminently appears,namely,thatmenshouldbesignallyinjuriousandburdensometoothers,yetbynomeanssusceptibleofconviction.Thiswasthetrialofthechurchfrom her adversaries. "All that found them have devoured them; andtheir adversaries said, We do not offend: because they have sinnedagainsttheLord,thehabitationofjustice."Theywereveryabusive,andgaveherbarbaroususage;yetwouldtheyownnofaultinthematter.Howcould theyward off the conviction?Were they verily blameless in theirdevouringtheLord'sstrayingsheep?No,surely,theywerenot.Didtheylook on themselves as ministers of the Divine justice against her? No,theydidnot.

Some indeed wouldmake a question here, How the adversaries of thechurch could celebrate her God as the habitation of justice? But theoriginal pointing of the text being retained, it appears that there is nogroundatallforthisquestionhere,andwithalthewholematterissetinaclear light. "All that found them have devoured them; and theiradversaries said,Wedonot offend: because they have sinned againsttheLord,thehabitationof justice."These lastarenotthewordsof theadversaries, but thewordsof theprophet showinghow it came topassthattheadversariesdevouredtheLord'ssheep,astheylightedonthem,and withal stood to the defence of it, when they had done, far fromacknowledging any wrong; the matter lay here, the sheep had sinnedagainst theLord, thehabitationof justice;and,asa justpunishmentofthis from His hand, they could have no justice at the hand of theiradversaries.

Wherefore,layingasidethesefrivolouspretences,andeyeingthehandofGod,as thatwhichhasbowed their lot in thatpart, andkeeps it in thebow,bereconciledtoandsubmitunderthecrook,whateveritis,sayingfromtheheart,"Trulythisisagrief,andImustbearit."Andtomoveyoutothisconsider,

1.ItisadutyyouowetoGod,asyoursovereignLordandBenefactor.Hissovereigntychallengesoursubmission,anditcaninnocasebemeannessofspirittosubmittothecrookwhichHishandhasmadeinourlot,and

togoquietlyundertheyokethatHehaslaidon;butitisreallymadnessforthepotsherdsoftheearth,bytheirturbulentandrefractorycarriageunder it, to strive with their Maker. And His beneficence to us, ill-deserving creatures,maywell stopourmouth from complaining ofHismaking a crook in our lot, whowould have done us nowrong hadHemadethewholeofitcrooked."ShallwereceivegoodatthehandofGod,andshallwenotreceiveevil?"

2.It isanunalterablestatute, forthetimeof this life, thatnobodyshallwantacrookintheirlot;for"manisbornuntotroubleasthesparksflyupward."Andthosewhoaredesignedforheavenareinaspecialmannerassured of a crook in theirs, "that in the world they shall havetribulation;"forbymeansofittheLordmakesthemsuitableforheaven.Andhowcanyouimaginethatyoushallbeexemptedfromthecommonlotofmankind?"Shall the rockbe removedout of hisplace foryou? "AndsinceGodmakes thecrooks inmen's lotaccording to thedifferentexigencyoftheircases,youmaybesurethatyoursisnecessaryforyou.

3. A crook in the lot, which one can by nomeans submit to, makes aconditionofallthingsthelikesttothatinhell.Forthereayoke,whichthewretchedsuffererscanneitherbearnorshakeoff,iswreathedabouttheirnecks; there the almighty armdraws against them, and they against it;there they are ever suffering and ever sinning; still in the furnace, buttheir dross not consumed, nor they purified. Even such is the case ofthosewhonowcannotsubmittothecrookintheirlot.

4.Great is the lossbynot submitting to it.Thecrook in the lot, rightlyimproved, has turned to the best account, and made the best time tosomethatevertheyhadall their life long,asthePsalmistfromhisownexperiencetestifies:"BeforeIwasafflictedIwentastray;butnowIhavekeptYourword."TherearemanynowinheavenwhoareblessingGodforthecrooktheyhadintheirlothere.Whatasadthingmustitthenbeto losethisteeth-windforImmanuel's land!But if thecrook inyour lotdoesyounogood,besureitwillnotmissdoingyougreatdamage.Itwillgreatly increase your guilt and aggravate your condemnation, while itshallforevercutyoutotheheart,tothinkofthepainstakenbymeansofthecrookinthelottoweanyoufromtheworldandbringyoutoGod,butallinvain.Takeheed,therefore,howyoumanageit,"Lestyoumournat

thelastandsay,HowIhavehatedinstruction,andmyheartdespisedreproof!"

PropII.WhatGodseessuitabletomar,weshallnotbeabletomendinourlot.WhatcrookGodmakesinourlot,weshallnotbeabletoeven.—Weshall,

1.ShowGod'smarringandmakingacrookinone'slot,asHeseesfitting.

II.We shall considermen's attempting tomend or even that crook intheirlot.

III.Inwhatsenseitistobeunderstoodthatweshallnotbeabletomendoreventhecrookinourlot.

IV.Rendersomereasonsofthepoint.

I.Asthefirsthead,namely,toshowGod'smarringandmakingacrookinone'slot,asheseesfitting.

First,Godkeepsthechoiceofeveryone'scrooktoHimself;andthereinHeexertsHissovereignty.Itisnotlefttoouroptionwhatthatcrookshallbe,orwhatourpeculiarburden;but,asthepottermakesofthesameclayonevesselforoneuse,anotherforanotheruse;soGodmakesonecrookfor one, another for another, according to His own will and pleasure."WhatevertheLordpleased,thatHedidinheavenandinearth."&c.

Secondly, He sees and observes the bias of every one's will andinclination,howitlies,andwhereitespeciallybendsawayfromHimself,andconsequentlywhereitneedsthespecialbow;soHedidinthatman'scase. "One thing you lack; go yourway, sell whatever you have, andgive to the poor. " &c. Observe the bent of His heart to His greatpossession.He takesnoticewhat is that idol that in every one's case ismostapttobeHisrival,thatsoHemaysuitthetrialtothecase,makingthecrookthere.

Thirdly, by the conduct ofHis providence, or a touch ofHis hand,Hegivesthatpartofone's lotabowthecontraryway;sothathenceforthit

lies quite contrary to the bias of the party's will. And here the trial ismade, the bent of the will lying one way, and that part of one's lotanother,thatitdoesnotanswertheinclinationoftheparty,butthwartsit.

Fourthly,HewillsthatcrookinthelottoremainwhileHeseesfitting,foralongerorshortertime,justaccordingtotheholyendsHedesignsitfor.Bythatwillitissofixed,thatthewholecreationcannotalterit,orputitoutofthebow.

II.We shall considermen's attempting tomend or even thatcrookintheirlot.This,inaword,liesintheirmakingeffortstobring their lot in that point to their own will, that theymaybothgooneway;soitimportsthreethings.

First,Acertainuneasinessunderthecrookinthelot;itisayokewhichishardforthepartytobear,tillhisspiritistamedandsubdued."Youhavechastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to theyoke;turnmeandlshallbeturned."&c.Anditisforthebreakingdownof the weight of one's spirit that God lays it on: for which cause it isdeclaredtobeagoodthingtobearit,thatbeingthewaytomakeoneatlengthasaweanedchild.

Secondly,Astrongdesiretohavethecrossremoved,andtohavemattersin that part going according to our inclinations. This is very natural,naturedesiringtobefreedfromeverythingthat isburdensomeorcrosstoit;andifthatdesireiskeptinaduesubordinationtothewillofGod,anditisnottoopre-emptory,itisnotsinful."Ifitispossible,letthiscuppassfromme;nevertheless,notasIwill."&c.HencesomanyacceptedprayersofthepeopleofGod,fortheremovalofmecrookintheirlot.

Thirdly,Anearnestuseofmeansforthatend.Thisnaturallyfollowsonthatdesire.Theman,beingpressedwiththecrosswhichisinhiscrook,laboursallhe can in theuseofmeans tobe ridof it.And if themeansused are lawful, and not relied on, but followedwith an eye to God inthem,theattemptisnotsinful,whetherhesucceedintheuseofthemornot.

III. Inwhat sense it is to be understood thatwe shall not beabletomendoreventhecrookinourlot.

Itisnottobeunderstoodasifthecasewereabsolutelyhopeless,andthatthere is no remedy for the crook in our lot. For there is no case sodesperate, butGodmay right it. "Is anything too hard for theLord? "Whenthe crook has continued long, and spurned all remedies one hasused for it, one is ready to losehope about it; butmany a crook, givenover for hopeless that would never mend, God has made perfectlystraight,asinJob'scase.

Butweshallneverbeabletomenditourselves;iftheLordHimselfdoesnottakeitinhandtoremoveit,itwillstandbeforeusimmovable,likeamountainofbrass,thoughperhapsitmaybeinitselfathingthatmighteasilyberemoved.Wetakeitupinthesethreethings:

I.Itwillneverdobythemereforceofourhand."For,bystrengthshallnomanprevail."Themostvigorousendeavorswecanusewillnoteventhecrook,ifGodgiveitnotatouchofHishand;sothatallendeavorsthatway, without an eye to God, are vain and fruitless, and will be butploughingontherock.

2.TheuseofallallowablemeansforitwillbesuccesslessunlesstheLordblessthemforthatend."WhoisHethatsays,anditcomestopass,whentheLorddoesnotcommandit?"Asonemayeatandnotbesatisfied,soonemayusemeansproperforeveningthecrookinhislot,andyetprevailnothing.FornothingcanbeordoforusanymorethanGodmakesittobe or do. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong;neitheryetbreadtothewise,nortorchestomenofunderstanding,"&c.

Itwillneverdoinourtime,butinGod'stime,whichseldomissoearlyasours."Mytimeisnotyetcome,butyourtimeisalwaysready."Hencethat crook remains sometimes immovable, as if it were kept by aninvisible hand; and at another time it goes awaywith a touch, becauseGod'stimeiscomeforeveningit.

IV.Weshallnowassignthereasonsofthepoint.

1st. Because of the absolute dependence we have on God. As the lightdependson thesun,or theshadowon thebody, sowedependonGod,andwithoutHimcandonothing,greatorsmall.AndGodwillhaveustofinditso,toteachusourdependence.

2ndly.BecauseHiswillisirresistible."Mycounselshallstand,andIwilldo allmy pleasure. "WhenGod wills one thing, and the creature thecontrary,itiseasytoseewhichwillmustbedone.Whentheomnipotentarmholds, invaindoes the creaturedraw. "WhohashardenedhimselfagainstHimandprospered?"

Inference1.Thereisanecessityofyieldingandsubmittingtothecrookinour lot; for wemay as well think to remove the rocks andmountains,whichGodhassettled,astomakethatpartofourlotstraightwhichHehasmadecrooked.

2.Theeveningofthecrookinourlot,bymainforceofourown,isbutacheatweputonourselves,andwillnotlast,but,likeastickbymainforcemadestraight,itwillquicklyreturntothebowagain.

3.TheonlyeffectualwayofgettingthecrookevenedistoapplytoGodforit.

Exhortation1.LetusthenapplytoGodforremovinganycrookinourlot,thatinthesettledorderofthingsmayberemoved.Mencannotceasetodesiretheremovalofacrook,morethanthatofathornintheflesh.But,sincewearenotabletomendwhatGodseesfittingtomar,itisevidentwearetoapplytoHimthatmadeittoamendit,andnottaketheeveningofitinourownhand.

Motive1.Allourattemptsforitsremovalwill,withoutHim,bevainandfruitless.Letusbeasresoluteaswewill tohaveitevened, ifGodsay itnot,wewilllaborinvain.Howeverfairthemeansweusebidforit,theywillbeineffectualifHedoesnotcommandtheblessing.

Such attempts will generally make it worse. Nothing is more ordinarythanforaproudspirit,strivingwiththecrook,tomakeitmorecrooked."Whosobreaksahedge,aserpentshallbitehim.Whosoremovesstones

shallbehurtwiththem,"&c.Thisisevidentinthecaseofthemurmurersin thewilderness. Itnaturally comes tobe so;because,at that rate, thewillofthepartybendsfartherawayfromit.Moreover,Godisprovokedtowreaththeyokefasteraboutone'sneck,thatHewillbynomeansletitsiteasyonhim.

3. There is no crook but what may be remedied by Him, and madeperfectlystraight."TheLordraisesthemthatareboweddown."&c.Hecanperformthatconcerningwhichthereremainsnohopewithus."Whoquickensthedead,andcallsthosethingswhicharenotasthoughtheywere. " It isHis prerogative to dowonders; to begin aworkwhere thewholecreationgivesitoverashopeless,andcarryitontoperfection.

4.Helovestobeemployedineveningcrooks,andcallsustoemployHimthatway."CallonlikeinthedayoftroubleandIwilldeliveryou."&c.Hemakesthemforthatveryend,thatHemaybringustoHimonthaterrand, andmaymanifestHispowerandgoodness in eveningof them.Thestraitsof thechildrenofmenafforda large field fordisplayingHisgloriousperfections,whichotherwisewouldbewanting.

5.Acrookthusevenedisadoublemercy.Therearesomecrooksevenedbyatouchofthehandofcommonprovidence,whilepeopleareeithernotexercised about them, or when they fret for their removal; these aresaplessmercies and short-lived. Fruits thus too hastily plucked off thetree of providence can hardly miss to set the teeth on edge, and willcertainlybebittertothegracioussoul.ButohthesweetsoftheeveningofthecrookbyahumbleapplicationtoandwaitingontheLord!IthastheimageandsuperscriptionofDivinefavoronit,whichmakesitbulkyandvaluable."ForthereforeIhaveseenyourface,asthoughIhadseenthefaceofGod."&c.

6.Godhas signalisedHis favor toHis dearest children, inmaking andmendingnotablecrooksintheirlot.Hisdarlingonesordinarilyhavethegreatestcrooksmadeintheirlot.Butthentheymakewayfortheirrichestexperiences in the removal of them on the application to Him. This isclear from the case of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. Which of thepatriarchshadsogreatcrooksasthey?Butwhichof them,ontheotherhand,hadsuchsignaltokensoftheDivinefavor?Thegreatestofmen,as

SamsonandtheBaptist,havebeenbornofwomennaturallybarren; sothegreatestcrooksissueintherichestmerciestothemthatareexercisedbythatmeans.

7.ItistheshortestandsurestwaytogostraighttoGodwiththecrookinthe lot. Ifwewouldhaveourwish in thatpoint,wemust, as theeagle,firstsoaraloft,andthencomedownontheprey.Mark5:36.Ourfaithlessout-of-the-wayattemptstoeventhecrook,arebutourfool'shaste,thatisnospeed;as in thecaseofAbrahamgoing in toHagar.God is the firstmover,who sets all thewheels inmotion for evening the crook, whichwithoutHimwillremainimmovable.

Object.1."Butitisneedless,forIseethatthoughthecrookinmylotmaymend, yet it never will mend. In its own nature it is capable of beingremoved,butitisplainitisnottoberemoved,itishopeless."

Ans.Thatisthelanguageofunbelievinghaste,whichfaithandpatienceshouldcorrect.Abrahamhadasmuchtosayforthehopelessnessofhiscrook,andyetheappliestoGodinfaithforthemendingofit.Sarahhadmadesuchaconclusion,forwhichshewasrebuked.NothingcanmakeitneedlessinsuchacasetoapplytoGod.

Object.2."ButIhaveappliedtoHimagainandagainforit,yetitisnevermended."

Directionsforrightlymanagingtheapplicationforremovingthecrookinthelot.

1.Prayforit,andprayinfaith,believingthat,forthesakeofJesus,youshallcertainlyobtainat length,and inthis life too, if it isgoodforyou;but without peradventure in the life to come. They will not bedisappointedthatgetthesongofMosesandoftheLamb.And, insomecasesofthatnature,extraordinaryprayer,withfasting,isveryexpedient.

2.Humbleyourselvesunderit,astheyokewhichthesovereignhandhaslaidonyou."IwillbeartheindignationoftheLord,becauseIhavesinnedagainstHim."&c.JustifyGod,condemnyourselves,kisstherod,andgoquietlyunderit;thisisthemostfeasiblewaytogetridofit,theendbeing

obtained."Youwillprepareyourhearts,youwillcauseyoureartohear."

3.Waitonpatientlytillthehandthatmadeitmendit.Donotgiveupthematter as hopeless, because you are not so soon relieved as youwouldwish;"But letpatiencehaveherperfectwork, thatyoumaybeperfectandentire,wantingnothing."LeavethetimingofthedeliverancetotheLord;His timewill at length, to conviction, appear thebest, and itwillnotgobeyondit."I,theLord,willhastenitinhistime."WaitingonHimyouwillnotbedisappointed;"FortheyshallnotbeashamedthatwaitforMe."

Exhortation2.Whatcrook there is,which in thesettledorderof thingscannot be removed or evened in this world, let us apply to God forsuitable relief under it. For instance, the common crook in the lot ofsaints, namely, indwelling sin; as God has made that crook not to beremovedhereHecancertainlybalanceit,andaffordreliefunderit.Thesame is to be said of any crook, while it remains unremoved. In suchcasesapplyyourselftoGod,formakingupyourlossesanotherway.AndtherearefivethingsIwouldhaveyoutokeepinviewandaimathere.

1.TotakeGodinChristforandinsteadofmatthing,thewithholdingortakingawayofwhichfromyoumakesthecrookinyourlot.ThereisneveracrookwhichGodmakesinourlot,butitisineffectHeaven'sofferofablessedexchangetous;suchas,"Sellwhateveryouhave,-andyoushallhavetreasureinheaven."Inmanagingofwhichexchange,Godfirstputsout His hand, and takes away some earthly thing from us; and it isexpectedweputoutourhandnext,andtakesomeheavenly thing fromHim in the stead of it, and particularlyHis Christ.Wherefore hasGodemptiedyourlefthandofsuchandsuchanearthlycomfort?Stretchoutyour right hand to God in Christ, take Him in the room of it, andwelcome. Therefore the soul's closing with Christ is caned buying,whereinpartingwithonething,wegetanotherinitsstead."thekingdomofheavenislikeuntoamerchantmanseekinggoodlypearls:who,whenhehadfoundonepearlofgreatprice,wentandsoldallthathehadandboughtit."Dothis,andyouwillbemorethanevenhandswiththecrookinyourlot.

2.Look for thestreamrunningas full fromHimasever itdidorcouldrun, when the crook of the lot has dried it. This is the work of faith,confidently to depend on God for that which is denied us from thecreature."Whenmy father andmother forsakeme, then the Lordwilltakemeup."Thisisamostrationalexpectation:foritiscertainthereisnogoodinthecreaturebutwhatisfromGod;thereforethereisnogoodtobefoundinthecreature,thestream,butwhatmaybegotimmediatelyfromGod,thefountain.Anditisawelcomeplea,tocometoGodandsay,Now, Lord, You have taken away from me such a creature-comfort, ImusthaveasgoodfromYourself.

3.Seekforthespiritual fruitsof thecrookinthe lot.Weseethewayintheworldis,whenonetradefails, tofallonanddriveanothertrade;soshouldwe,whenthereisacrookinthelot,makingourearthlycomfortslow,setourselvesthemoreforspiritualattainments.Ifourtradewiththeworldsinks,letusseetodriveatradewithheavenmorevigorously;see,if by means of the crook, we can obtain more faith, love, heavenly-mindedness,contemptoftheworld,humility,self-denial,&c.Sowhileweloseatonehandweshallgainanother.

4.Gracetobearusupunderthecrook."ForthisthingIbesoughttotheLordthrice;"andHesaid,"Mygrace is sufficient foryou. "Whether amanis faint,andhavea lightburden,or isrefreshedandstrengthened,andhaveaheavyone,itisallthesame;thelattercangoaseasyunderhisburdenas the formerunderhis.Graceproportioned to the trial iswhatwe should aim at; getting that, though the crook is not evened,we areevenhandswithit.

5.Thekeepinginoureyetheeternalrestandweightofgloryintheotherworld."Forourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment,worksforusafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory;whilewelooknotatthethingswhichareseen,butatthethingswhicharenotseen."Thiswillbalancethecrookinyourlot,bewhatitwill;whiletheywhohavenowell-groundedhopeof salvationwill find thecrook in their lot in thisworldsuchaweight,astheyhavenothingtocounterbalanceit.Butthehopeofeternalrestmaybearupunderallthetoilandtroublemetwithhere.

Exhortation3.Letus thensetourselvesrightly tobear thecrook inour

lot,whileGodsees fit tocontinue it.Whatwecannotmend, letusbearChristianly,andnotfightagainstGod,andsokickagainstthepricks.Soletusbearit.

1.Patiently,withoutfumingandfretting,ormurmuring.Thoughweloseourcomfortsinthecreaturethroughthecrookinourlot,letusnot losethepossessionofourselves.Thecrookinour lotmakesus likeonewhohasbutascantyfiretowarmat:butimpatienceunderitscattersit,soastosetthehouseonfireaboutus,andexposeustodanger."Hethathasnoruleoverhisownspiritislikeacitythatisbrokendownandwithoutwalls."

2.WithChristianfortitude,withoutsinkingunderdiscouragement,-"norfaintwhenyouarerebukedofHim."Satan'sworkisbythecrook,eitherto bend or break people's spirits, and oftentimes by bending to breakthem. Our work is to carry evenly under it, steering a middle course,guardingagainstsplittingontherocksoneitherhand.Ourhappinessliesnot in any earthly comfort, norwill thewant of any of them render usmiserable. So that we are resolutely to hold on our way with a holycontemptandregardlessnessofhardships."Therighteousalsoshallholdonhisway,andhethathascleanhandsshallbestrongerandstronger."

Quest. "When may any one be reckoned to fall under sinkingdiscouragementfromthecrookinhislot?"

Ans.When it prevails so far as to unfit us for the duties either of ourparticularorChristiancalling.Wemaybesure ithascarriedusbeyondtheboundsofmoderategrief,whenitunfitsusforthecommonaffairsoflife, which the Lord calls us to manage. Or for the duties of religion,hindering them altogether, "That your prayers are not hindered, "(Greek,cutoff,orcutup,likeatreefromtheroots),ormakingonequitehopelessinthem.

3Letusbearitprofitably,sowemaygainsomeadvantagebythatmeans."It is good forme that I have been afflicted; that Imight learn yourstatutes."Thereisanadvantagetobemadebyit.Andit iscertainlyanill-managedcrook inour lot,whenwegetnotsomespiritualgoodof it.The crook is a kind of spiritual medicine, and as it is lost physic that

purgesawayno ill humours, in vain are its unpleasantness to the tasteanditsgripingsendured;soitisalostcrook,andillisthebitternessofitborne,ifwearenotbetteredbyit."Bythis,therefore,shalltheiniquityofJacobbepurged,andthisisallthefruit,totakeawayhissin."

Motivestopressthisexhortation.

Motive1.TherewillbenoeveningofitwhileGodseesfittocontinueit.Letusbehaveunderitaswewill,andmakewhatsallieswepleaseinthecase, itwill continue immovable,as fixedwithbandsof ironandbrass."But He is of one mind, and who can turn Him? And what His souldesires,eventhatHedoes.ForHeperformsthethingthatisappointedforMe;andmanysuchthingsarewithHim."Isitnotwisdomthentomake thebestwemayofwhatwecannotmend?Makeavirtue thenofnecessity.Whatisnottobecuredmustbeendured,andshouldbewithaChristianresignation.

Motive2.Anawkwardcarriageunderitnotablyincreasesthepainofit.Whatmakestheyokegallournecks,butthatwestrugglesomuchagainstit,andcannotletitsitateaseonus.Howoftenarewe,inthatcase,likemen dashing their heads against a rock to remove it! The rock standsunmoved,buttheyarewounded,andloseexceedinglybytheirstruggle.Impatienceunderthecrooklaysanoverweightontheburden,andmakesitheavier,whilewithalitweakensus,andmakesuslessabletobearit.

Motive3.ThecrookinyourlotisthespecialtrialGodhaschosenforyouto take yourmeasureby. It isGod's fire, bywhichHe trieswhatmetalmen are made of: Heaven's touchstone for discovering true andcounterfeit Christians. They may bear and go through several trials,whom the crook in the lot will discover to be naught, because by nomeanstheycanbearthat.Thinkthenwithyourselfunderit,—Now,herethetrialofmystateturns;Imust,bythis,beprovedeithersincereorahypocrite;for,cananybeacordialsubjectofChrist,withoutbeingabletosubmit his lot toHim?Do not all who sincerely come to Christ, put ablankinHishand?AnddoesHenottellus,thatwithoutthatdispositionwe are not His disciples? "If any man come to Me, and hate not hisfather andmother, andwife, and children, and brothers, and sisters,yea,andhisownlifealso,hecannotbeMydisciple."Perhapsyouwill

findyoucansubmit toanythingbut that:butwillnot thatbutmarall?Did ever any hear of a sincere closing with Christ with a reserve orexceptionofonething,inwhichtheybehovedtobetheirownlords?

Quest."Isthatdispositionthenaqualificationnecessarilypre-requiredtoourbelieving,andifso,wheremustwehaveit?Canweworkitoutofournaturalpowers?"

Ans.No,itisnotso;butitnecessarilyaccompaniesandgoesalongwithbelieving,flowingfromthesamesavingilluminationintheknowledgeofChrist,bywhichthesoulisbroughttobelieveonHim.Bythismeansthesoul sees Him an able Savior, and so trusts on Him for salvation; therightfulLordandinfinitelywiseRuler,andsosubmitsthelottoHim.Thesoul takingHim for aSavior, takesHimalso for aheadand ruler. It isChrist's givingHimself to us, and our receivingHim, that causes us toquit other things to and for Him, as it is the light that dispels thedarkness.

Case."Alas!IcannotgetmyheartfreelytosubmitmylottoHiminthatpoint."

Ans.1.Thatsubmissionwillnotbecarriedoninanywithoutastruggle;theoldmanwillnever submit to it, andwhen thenewmanof grace issubmitting to it, the oldmanwill still be rebelling. "For the flesh lustsagainst the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these arecontrary,theonetotheother,sothatyoucannotdothethingsthatyouwould."Butareyousincerelydesirousandhabituallyaimingtosubmitto it?From theungracious struggle against the crook, turnaway to thestrugglewithyourownhearttobringittosubmit,believingthepromise,and using themeans for it, being grieved from the heart with yourselfthat you cannot submit to it. This is submitting of your lot, in thefavourableconstructionofthegospel.Ifyouhadyourchoice,wouldyourather have your heart brought to submit to the crook, than the crookevened to your heart's desire? And do you not sincerely endeavor tosubmit,notwithstandingthereluctanceoftheflesh?

Ans.2.WhereistheChristianself-denialandtakingupthecross,withoutsubmittingtothecrook?ThisisthefirstlessonChristputsinthehands

ofHisdisciples."Ifanymanwill comeafterMe, lethimdenyhimself,and take up his cross, and follow Me. " Self-denial would procure areconciliationwiththecrook,andanadmittanceof thecross.Butwhilewe cannot bear our corrupt self to be denied any of its cravings, andparticularly that which God sees fit especially to be denied, we cannotbearthecrookinourlot,butfightagainstitinfavorofself.

Ans.3.WhereisourconformitytoChrist,whilewecannotsubmittothecrook?We cannot evidence ourselvesChristians,without conformity toChrist."He that saysheabides inHim,oughthimself,alsoso towalk,evenasHewalked."TherewasacontinuedcrookinChrist'slot,butHesubmitted to it. "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbledHimself,andbecameobedientuntodeath,eventhedeathofthecross.""For evenChristpleasednotHimself. "&c.And somustwe, ifwewillproveourselvesChristiansindeed.

Ans.4.HowshallweproveourselvesthegenuinekindlychildrenofGod,ifstillwarringwiththecrook?Wecannotpray,OurFather,—Yourwillbedoneonearthas,&c.Nay,thelanguageofthatpracticeis,Wemusthaveourownwill,andGod’swillcannotsatisfyus.

Motive4.Thetrialbythecrookherewillnotlastlong.Whatthoughthework is sore, it may be me better comported with that it will not belonesome;a fewdaysoryearsat farthestwillputanendto it,andtakeyou off your trials. Do not say, I shall be eased of it; for, if not easedbefore,youwillbeeasedofitatdeath,comeafteritwhatwill.Aseriousviewofdeathandeternitymightmakeussetourselvestobehaverightlyunderourcrookwhileitlasts.

Motive5.Ifyouwould,inaChristianmanner,setyourselvestobearthecrook, youwould find it easier than you imagine. "TakeMyyokeuponyou,andlearnofMe,andyoushallfindresttoyoursouls;forMyyokeiseasy,andMyburden is light. "Satanhasno readierway togainhispurpose than to persuade men it is impossible that ever their mindsshould ply with the crook; that it is a burden to them altogetherinsupportable;aslongasyoubelievethat,besureyouwillneverbeabletobearit.ButtheLordmakesnocrookinthelotofany,butwhatmaybeborneofthemacceptably,thoughnotsinlesslyandperfectly.Forthereis

strength for that effect secured in the covenant, and being by faithfetched,itwillcertainlycome.

Motive6. IfyoubehaveChristianlyunderyourcrookhere,youwillnotloseyourlabor,butgetafullrewardofgraceintheotherworld,throughChrist.Thereisablessingpronouncedonhimthatenduresonthisveryground, "Blessed is theman that endures temptation; for, when he istried,heshallreceivethecrown,whichtheLordhaspromisedtothemthat loveHim."Heavenis theplace intowhichtheapproved,uponthetrialofthecrook,arereceived."Thesearetheywhichcameoutofgreattribulation,andhavewashedtheirrobes,andmade themwhite in theblood of the Lamb. "When you come there, no vestiges of it will beremaininginyourlot,norwillyouhavetheleastuneasyremembranceofit;butitwillaccentyourpraises,andincreaseyourjoy.

Motive 7. If you do not behave Christianly under it, youwill lose yoursoulsintheotherworld.ThosewhoareatwarwithGodintheirlothere,Godwillhavewarwiththemforever.IftheywillnotsubmittoHisyokehere,andgoquietlyunder it,HewillwreathHisyokeabout their neckforever,witheverlastingbondsthatshallneverbeloosed.Therefore,setyourselvestobehaverightlyunderthecrookinyourlot.

Ifyouaskwhatwayonemayreachthat;fordirectionwepropose,-

Prop III. The considering the crook in the lot as theworkofGodisapropermeanstobringonetobehaverightlyunderit.

1.What it is toconsider thecrookas theworkofGod.Wetake itup inthesefivethings

First,Aninquiryintothespringfromwhereitrises.Reasonandreligionbothteachus,notonlytonoticethecrook,whichwecannotavoid,buttoconsiderandinquireintothespringofit.Surelyitisnotourchoice,nordowedesignedlymakeitforourselves;andtoascribeittofortuneistoascribe it tonothing.It isnotsprungof itself,butsownbyonehandoranotherforus.Andwearetonoticethehandfromwhichitcomes.

Secondly, A perceiving of the hand of God in it. Whatever hand anycreatureshaveinthere,weoughtnottoterminateourviewinthem,butlookaboveandbeyondthemtothesuprememanager'sagency.WithoutthisweshallmakeaGodofthecreaturethatisinstrumentalofthecrook,lookingon it as if itwere the first cause,which ispeculiar toGod,andbringourselvesunderthedoom,"BecausetheydonotregardtheworksoftheLord,northeoperationofHishands,Heshalldestroythem,andnotbuildthemup."

Thirdly,A representing it to ourselves as aworkofGod,whichHe haswrought against us for holy and wise ends, becoming the Divineperfections. This is to take it by the right handle, to represent it toourselvesunderarightnotion,fromwherearightmanagementunder itmay spring. It cannever be safe to overlookGod in it, but very safe tooverlookthecreature;ascribingittoGod,asifnootherhandwereinit,His being always the principal in it: "It is the Lord: let Him do whatseemsHimgood."ThusDavidoverlookedShimei,andlookedtoGodinthematterofhis cursing, asone fixinghis eyes,noton theaxe,butonhimthatweldedit.Heretwothingsaretocomeintoourconsideration.

1st.ThedegreeofGod,purposingthatcrookforusfrometernity;"forHeworksallthingsafterthecounselofHisownwill,"thesealedbook, inwhich are written all the black lines that made the crook. Whatevervalleysofdarkness,grief,andsorrowwearecarried through,we are tolookonHemasmadebythemountainsofbrass,theimmovableDivinepurposes. This can be no presumption in that case, if we carry it nofurtherthantheeventgoesinoursightandfeeling.Forsofarthebookisopenedforustolookinto.

2ndly.TheprovidenceofGodbringingtopassthatcrookforusintime.There isnothing canbefalluswithoutHim inwhomwe live.Whateverkind of agency of the creatures may be in the making of our crook,whatevertheyhavedoneornotdonetowardsit,Heisthespringthatsetsall the created wheels in motion, which ceasing, they would all stop:thoughHeisstillinfinitelypureinHisagency,howeverimpuretheyareintheirs.Jobconsideredboththese.

Fourthly, A continuing in me thought of it as such. It is not a simple

glanceof theeye,butacontemplatingand leisurelyviewingof itasHiswork,thatisthepropermean.Wearetobe,

1st.Habitually impressedwith this consideration: as the crook is somelasting grievance, so the consideration of this as the remedy should behabitually kept up. There are other considerations besides this that wemustentertain,so thatwecannotalwayshave itexpressly inourmind:butwemustlayitdownforarootedprinciple,accordingtowhichwearetomanagethecrook,andkeeptheheartinadisposition,bywhichitmayexpresslyslipintoourminds,asoccasioncalls.

2ndly.We are to be occasionally exercised in it.Wheneverwe begin tofeelthesmartofthecrook,weshouldfetchinthisremedy;whentheyokebegins to gad the neck, there should be an application of this spiritualointment.Andhowever often the former comes in onus, itwill be ourwisdomtofetchinthelatterasmeproperremedy;theofteneritisused,itwillmoreeasilycometohand,andalsobethemoreeffectual.

Fifthly,Aconsideringitformeendforwhichitisproposedtous,namely,to bring us to a dutiful carriage under it.Men's corruptions will causethemtoenterontheconsiderationofit;butastheprincipleis,sotheendandeffectofitwillbe,corrupt.Butwemustenteronanduseitforagoodend,ifwewouldhavegoodofit,takingitasapracticalconsiderationforregulatingourconductunderthecrook.

II.How it is to be understood to be a propermeans to bringonetobehaverightlyunderthecrook.

Notasifitweresufficientofitself,andasitstandsalone,toproducethateffect.Butasitisusedinfaith,inthefaithoftheGospel;thatistosay,asinner'sbareconsideringthecrookinhislotastheworkofGod,withoutanysavingrelationtoHim,willneverbeawaytobehavehimselfrightlyunder it.Buthavingbelieved inJesusChrist,andso takingGod forhisGod, the considering of the crook of the work of God, his God, is thepropermeanstobringhimtothatdesirabletemperandbehavior.Manyhearers mistake here. When they hear such and such lawfulconsiderations proposed for bringing them to duty, they presentlyimagine that by themere force of them, theymay gain the point. And

many preachers too,who, forgettingChrist and theGospel, pretend bytheforceofreasontomakemenChristians;theeyesofbothbeingheld,thattheydonotseethecorruptionofmen'snature,whichissuchassetsthetruecureabovetheforceofreason;allthattheyaresensibleofbeingsome ill habits, which they think may be shaken off by a vigorousapplicationoftheirrationalfaculties.Toclearthismatter,consider,—

First,Isitrationaltothinktosetfallenman,withhiscorruptednature,toworkthesamewaywithinnocentAdam?Thatis,tosetbeggarsonalevelwiththerich,lamementoajourneywiththosethathavelimbs.InnocentAdamhadastockofgraciousabilities,bywhichhemight,bytheforceofmoral considerations,havebroughthimself toperformdutyaright.Butwhereisthatwithus?Whateverforceisinthemtoasoulendowedwithspirituallife,whatpowerhavetheytoraisethedead,suchasweare?

Secondly, The Scripture is very plain on this head, showing theindispensable necessity of faith; and that, such as unites to Christ,"WithoutMe,"that is,separatefromMe,"youcandonothing;"no,notwithallth

emoral considerations you canuse.Howwere the ten commandmentsgivenonMountSinai?Notasbareexactionsofduty,butfrontedwiththeGospel,tobebelievedinthefirstplace; ''IamtheLordyourGod,"&c.AndsoSolomon,whommanyregardratherasamoralphilosopherthananinspiredwriterleadingtoChrist,frontshiswritings,inthebeginningoftheProverbs,withmostexpressgospel.AndmustwehaveitexpresslyrepeatedinourBibleswitheverymoralprecept,orelseshutoureyesandtakethesepreceptswithoutit?ThatistheeffectofournaturalenmitytoChrist.IfwelovedHimmore,weshouldseeHimmoreineverypageandineverycommand,receivingthelawatHismouth.

Thirdly,Dobutconsiderwhat it is tobehaverightlyunder thecrook inthelot;whathumiliationofsoul,self-denial,andabsoluteresignationtothewinofGodmustbeinit.WhatlovetoGoditmustproceedfrom;howregardtoHisglorymustinfluenceitasthechiefendofit;andtryandseeif it is not impossible for you to reach it without that faith beforementioned. IknowaChristianmayreach itwithout full assurance.Butstill,accordingtothemeasureoftheirpersuasionthatGodistheirGod,

sowilltheirattainmentsinitbe;thesekeepequalpace.Oh!whatkindofhearts do they imagine themselves to have, what think they can for amomentemptythemofthecreaturefurtherthantheycanfillthemwithaGod as theirGod in its roomand stead?Nodoubtmenmay, from theforceofmoral considerations,work themselves toabehaviorunder thecrook externally right, such as many pagans had; but a Christiandispositionof spiritunder itwillneverbe reachedwithout that faith inGod.

Object."Thenitissaintsonlythatarecapableoftheimprovementofthatconsideration."

Ans.Yea,indeeditisso,astothatandallothermoralconsiderations,fortrueChristianends:andthatamountstonomorethanthatdirectionsforwalking rightly are only for the living that have the use of their limbs;and, therefore, thatyoumay improve it, setyourselves tobelieve in thefirstplace.

III. I shall confirm that it is a proper mean to bring one tobehaverightlyunder it.Thiswillappear, ifweconsider thesefourthings.

1.Itisofgreatusetodivertfromtheconsideringanddwellingonthosethingsaboutthecrookwhichservetoirritateourcorruption.Sucharethebalking of our will and wishes, the satisfaction we should have in thematter'sgoingaccordingtoourmind,theinstrumentsofthecrook,howinjurious they are to us, how unreasonable, how obstinate, &c. Thedwellingontheseconsiderationsisbuttheblowingofthefirewithin;butto turn our eyes to it as the work of God would be a cure by way ofdiversion; and such diversion of the thoughts is not only lawful, butexpedientandnecessary.

2.Ithasamoralaptitudeforproducingthisgoodeffect.Thoughourcureisnotcompassedbythemereforceofreason,yetitiscarriedonnotbyabrutalmovement,but inarationalway.Thisconsiderationhasamoralefficacyonourreason,itisfittoaweusintoasubmission,andministersadealofargumentforbehavingChristianlyunderourcrook.

3. IthasaDivineappointment for thatend,which is tobebelieved.Sothe text. The creature in itself is an inefficacious andmoveless thing,amerevanity.Thatwhichmakesanythingameans,fitfortheendisawordofDivineappointment.Touseanythingthenforanend,withoutthefaithof this, is tomake a god of the creature; therefore it is to be used in adependence on God, according to that word of appointment. Andeverything is fit for the end for which God has appointed it. Thisconsiderationisappointedforthatend;andthereforeisafitmeansforit.

4.TheSpiritmaybeexpectedtoworkbyit,anddoesworkbyit,inthemthatbelieve,andlooktohimforit,forasmuchasitisameanofhisownappointment. Papists, legalists, and all superstitious persons devisevariousmeansofsanctification,seemingtohave,orreallyhavingamoralfitness for thesame;but theyarequite ineffectual,because, likeAbana,andPharpar,theywantawordofDivineappointmentforcuringusofourleprosy; therefore the Spiritworks not by them, since they are notHisinstruments,butdevisedoftheirownhearts.AndsinceeventhemeansofDivineappointmentareineffectualwithouttheSpirit,thesecanneverbe effectual. But this consideration having a Divine appointment, theSpiritworksbyit.

Use.Thentakethisdirectionforyourbehavingrightlyunderthecrookinyour lot. Inure yourselves to consider it as the work of God. And forhelpingyoutoimproveit,soasitmaybeeffectual,Ioffertheseadvices:

1. Consider it as the work of your God in Christ. This is the way tosprinkleitwithGospel-grace,andsotomakeittolerable.ThediscerningofaFather'shandinthecrookwilltakeoutmuchofthebitternessofit,andsugarthepilltoyou.Forthiscauseitwillbenecessary,(1.)SolemnlytotakeGodforyourGod,underyourcrook. (2.) Inallyourencounterswithit,resolutelytobelieveandclaimyourinterestinHim.

2.Enlarge the considerationwith a viewof theDivine relations to you,and theDivine attributes. Consider it, being thework of yourGod, theworkofyourFather,elderBrother,Head,Husband,&c.,who,therefore,surelyconsultsyourgood.ConsiderHisholinessandjustice,showingHedoesnotwrong you;Hismercy and goodness, that it is notworse;Hissovereignty,thatmaysilenceyou;Hisinfinitewisdomandlove,thatmay

satisfyyouinit.

3. Consider what a work of His it is, how it is a convincing work, forbringingsintoremembrance:acorrectingwork,tochastiseyouforyourfollies,apreventingwork,tohedgeyouupfromcoursesofsinyouwouldotherwisebeapt torun into;a tryingwork, todiscoveryourstate,yourgraces,andcorruption;aweaningwork,toweanyoufromtheworldandfityouforheaven.

4. In all your considerations of it in this manner look upward for HisSpirittorenderthemeffectual.—ThusmayyoubehaveChristianlyunderit,tillGodmakeiteveneitherhereorinheaven.

"Betteritistobeofanhumblespiritwiththelowly,thantodividethespoilwiththeproud"—Prov.16:19.

Couldmenoncebebroughttobelievethatitisbettertohavetheirmindsbendtothecrookintheirlot,thantoforcethecrooktotheirmind,theywouldbeinafairwaytobringtheirmatterstoagoodaccount.HearthentheDivine decision in that case: "Better it is to be of an humble spiritwiththelowly,thantodividethespoilwiththeproud."Inwhichwords

First,Thereisacomparisoninstitutedandthatbetweentwoparties,andtwopointsinwhichtheyvastlydiffer.

1st.Thepartiesarethe lowlyandtheproud,whodiffer likeheavenandearth.Theproudareclimbingupandsoaringaloft;thelowlyarecontenttocreepontheground,ifthatisthewillofGod.Letusviewthemmoreparticularlyasthetextrepresentsthem.

Ontheonehandisthelowly.Herethereisaline-readingandamarginal,bothfromtheHolySpirit,andtheydifferonlyinaletter.Theformer isthe afflicted or poor, that are low in their condition; those that have anotablecrookintheirlotthroughafflictionlaidonthem,bywhichtheirconditionisloweredintheworld.Theotheristhelowlyormeekhumbleones,whoare lowintheirspirit,aswellastheircondition,andsohavetheir minds brought down to their lot. Both together making thecharacterofthislowlyparty.

On the other hand is the proud, the gay and high-minded ones. It issupposedherethattheyarecrossedtoo,andhavecrooksintheirlot;for,dividing the spoil is the consequence of a victory, and a victorypresupposesabattle.

2nd. The points wherein these parties are supposed to differ, namely,beingofahumblespirit,anddividingthespoil.

Afflictedandlowlyonesmaysometimesgettheirconditionchanged,mayberaiseduponhigh,anddividethespoil,asHannah,Job,&c.Theproudmay sometimes be thrown down and crushed, as Pharoah,Nebuchadnezzar,&c.Butthatisnotthequestion,Whetheritisbettertoberaisedupwiththelowly,orthrowndownwiththeproud?Therewouldbe no difficulty in determining that. But the question is, whether it isbetter to be of a low and humble spirit, in low circumstances, withafflictedones;ortodividethespoil,andgetone'swill,withtheproud?Ifmen would speak the native sentiments of their hearts, that questionwouldbedeterminedinacontradictiontothetext.Thepointsthenherecomparedandsetoneagainstanotherarethese:

Ontheonehand,tobeofahumblespiritwithafflictedlowlyones.Tobelowofspirit;forthewordprimarilydenoteslownessinsituationorstate.Sothepointhereproposedistobewith,orinthestateof,afflictedlowlyones,having thespiritbroughtdownto that low lot; the lownessof thespiritbalancingthelownessofone'scondition.

On the other hand, to divide the spoil with the proud. The point hereproposed is, tobewithor in the state of theproud,having their lot bymainforcebroughttotheirmind;asthosewho,takingthemselvestobeinjured, fight it out with the enemy, overcome and divide the spoilaccordingtotheirwill.

Secondly, The decision made, in which the former is preferred to thelatter;"Betteritistobeofanhumblespiritwiththelowly,thantodividethespoilwiththeproud."Ifthesetwopartiesweresetbeforeus,itwerebettertotakeourlotwiththoseofalowcondition,whohavetheirspiritsbrought as lowas their lot, thanwith thosewho, being of a proud andhigh spirit, have their lot brought up to theirmind. A humble spirit is

betterthanaheightenedcondition.

Doctrine.There isagenerationof lowlyafflictedones,havingtheirspiritloweredandbroughtdowntotheirlot;whosecase,in that respect, is better than that of the proud getting theirwill,andcarryingalltotheirmind.

1. We shall consider the generation of the lowly afflicted ones, havingtheirspiritbroughtdowntotheirlot.Andweshall,

First,Laydownsomegeneralconsiderationsaboutthem.

1.There issuchageneration in theworld,badas theworld is.Thetextexpresslymentions them, and the Scripture elsewhere speaks of them.Where shall we seek them? Not in heaven, there are no afflicted onesthere;norinhell,therearenolowlyorhumbleonesthere,whosespiritisbrought to their lot. InHisworld theymust thenbe,where thestateoftrialis.

2. If it were not so, Christ, as He was in the world, would have nofollowers in it.Hewas the head of that generationwhom they all copyafter: "Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart."And for Hishonor,andthehonorofHiscross, theywillneverbewantingwhile theworld stands. "WhomHe did foreknowHe also did predestinate to beconformed to the image of His Son. " His image lies in these two,sufferingandholiness,ofwhichlowlinessisachiefpart.

3.Neverthelesstheyarecertainlyveryrare intheworld.Agurobserves,thatthere isanothergeneration("theireyesare lofty,and theireyelidsliftedup'')quiteoppositetothem,andthismakesthegreatestcompanyby far. The low and afflicted lot is not so very rare, but the lowlydispositionofspiritisrarelyyokedwithit.Manyahighspiritkeepsupinspiteofloweringcircumstances.

4.Theycanbenomoreinnumberthanthetrulygodly;fornothinglessthanthepowerofDivinegracecanbringdownmen'sminds fromtheirnativeheight,andmaketheirwillplianttothewillofGod.Menmayputona faceofsubmission toa lawandacrossed lot,because theycannot

helpit,andtheyseeitisinvaintostrive;buttobringthespirittrulytoit,mustbetheeffectofhumblinggrace.

5.Thoughallthegodlyareofthatgeneration,yettherearesomeofthemtowhomthatcharactermoreespeciallybelongs.Thewaytoheavenliesthrough tribulation to all; and all Christ's followers are reconciled to itnotwithstanding;yettherearesomeofthemmoreremarkablydisciplinedthan others, whose spirit is in this way humbled and brought down totheir lot. "Surely I have behaved and quietedmyself as a child that isweanedofhismother;mysoulisevenasaweanedchild.""ForIhavelearned,inwhateverstateIam,tobecontentwithit.Iknowbothhowtobeabased,andIknowhowtoabound.EverywhereandinallthingsIaminstructedbothtobe fullandtobehungry,both toabjuredandtosufferneed."

6.Alowlydispositionofsoul,andhabitualaimandbentoftheheartthatway,hasaveryfavorableconstructionputuponitinheaven.Shouldwelookforagenerationperfectlypurgedofprideandrisingsofheartagainsttheiradverselotatanytime,weshouldfindnoneinthisworld.Butthosewhoaresincerelyaimingandendeavoringtoreachit,andkeepthewayofcontentedsubmission,thoughsometimesblownasideandreturningtoitagain,Godaccountstobethatlowlygeneration.

Secondly,We shall enter into particulars. There are three thingswhichtogethermakeuptheircharacter.

1st.Affliction in their lot.That lowlygeneration,preferred tothe proud and prosperous, is a generation of afflicted ones,whomGodkeepsunderthedisciplineofthecovenant.Wemaytakeitupinthesetwo:

1.Thereisayokeofafflictionofonekindorotheroftentimesuponthem.God is frequently visiting them as a master does his scholars, and aphysicianhispatients;whereasothersare ina sortoverlookedbyHim.Theyareaccustomedtotheyoke,andthatfromthetimetheyenterintoGod'sfamily,Godseesitgoodforthem.

2.ThereisaparticularyokeofafflictionwhichGodhaschosenforthem,

thathangsonthem,andisseldom,ifever,takenoffthem.Thatis theirspecialtrial,thecrookintheirlot,theyokewhichliesonthemfortheirconstant exercise. Their other trials may be exchanged, but that is aweightthatstillhangsaboutthem,bowingthemdown.

2ndly. Lowliness in their disposition and tenor of spirit. They are ageneration of lowly humble ones, whose spirits God has, byHis grace,broughtdownfromtheirnaturalheight.Andthus.

1.Theythinksoberlyandmeanlyofthemselves;whattheyare;whattheycando;whattheyareworth,andwhattheydeserve.Viewingthemselvesin the glass of theDivine law and perfection, they see themselves as amassofimperfectionandsinfulness.

2.TheythinkhighlyandhonorablyofGod.TheyaretaughtbytheSpiritwhat God is; and so entertain elevated thought of Him. They considerHimastheSovereignoftheworld;Hisperfectionsasinfinite;Hisworkasperfect.They lookonHimas the fountainofhappiness, as aGod inChrist, doing all things well; trusting His wisdom, goodness, and love,evenwheretheycannotsee.

3.They think favorablyofothers, as far as in justice theymay.Thoughtheycannothinder themselves fromseeing theirglaring faults, yet theyare readywithal toacknowledge their excellencies, andesteem them sofar.And,because they seemore into theirownmerciesandadvantagesforholiness,andmisimprovingof it, thantheycansee intoothers, theyare apt to look on others as better than themselves, circumstancescompared.

4.TheyaresunkdownintoastateofsubordinationtoGodandHiswill.PridesetsamanupagainstGod;lowlinessbringshimbacktohisplace,andlayshimdownatthefeetofhissovereignLord,saying,Yourwillbedoneonearth,&c.Theyseeknomorethecommand,butarecontentthatGodHimselfsitatthehelmoftheiraffairs,andmanageallforthem.

5.Theyarenotbentonhighthings,butdisposedtostooptolowthings.Lowliness levels the towering imaginations which pride mounts upagainst heaven; draws a veil over all personal worth and excellencies

before the Lord, and yields aman's all to the Lord, to be as stepping-stonestothethroneofHisglory.

6. They are apt to magnify mercies bestowed on them. Pride of heartoverlooks and vilifiesmercies one is possessed of, and fixes the eye onwhatiswantinginone'scondition,makingoneliketheflies,whichpassoverthesoundplaces,andswarmtogetheronthesore.Onthecontrary,lowliness teachesmen to recount themercies they enjoy in the lowestcondition,andtosetamarkonthegoodthingstheyhavepossessed,oryetdo.

3rdly.Aspiritbroughtdownto their lot.Their lot isa lowandafflictedone;but theirspirit isas low,being, throughgrace,broughtdownto it.Wemaytakeitupinthesefivethings:

1. They submit to it as just. "I will bear the indignation of the Lord,because I have sinned against Him. " There are no hardships in ourcondition, but we have procured them to ourselves; and it is thereforejustthatwekisstherod,andbesilentunderit,andsolowerourspiritstoour lot. If theycomplain, it isof themselves; theirheartsdonotriseupagainsttheLord,farlessdotheyopentheirmouthagainsttheheavens.TheyjustifyGod,andcondemnthemselves,reverencingHisholinessandspotlessrighteousnessinHisproceedingsagainstthem.

2. They go quietly under it as tolerable. "It is good that aman shouldbothhopeandquietlywaitforthesalvationoftheLord.Itisgoodforamanthathebeartheyokeinhisyouth.Hesitsalone,andkeepssilence,becausehehasborne itonhim;heputshismouth in thedust, ifsobetheremaybehope."Whiletheunsubduedspiritragesundertheyokeasabullunaccustomedtoit,thespiritbroughttothelotgoessoftlyunderit.TheyseeitisoftheLord'smerciesthatitisnotworse;theytakeupthenaked cross, asGod lays it down,without those overweights on it thatturbulentpassionsaddtothem;andsoitbecomesreallymoreeasythantheythoughtitcouldhavebeen,likeaburdenfittedontheback.

3.Theyaresatisfiedinit,asdrawingtheircomfortfromanotherquarterthan their outward condition, even as the house stands fast when thepropistakenawaythatitdidnotleanon."Althoughthefig-treeshould

notblossom,neitherfruitisinthevine,-yetIwillrejoiceintheLord."ThusdidDavidinthedayofhisdistress."HeencouragedhimselfintheLord his God. " It is an argument of a spirit not brought down to thehardshipsofit,asiftheirconditionintheworldwerethepointonwhichtheir happiness turned. It is want of mortification that makes men'scomfort to wax and wane, ebb and flow, according to the variousappearancesoftheirlotintheworld.

4.Theyhaveacomplacencyinit,asthatwhichisfitandgoodforthem.Menhaveasortofcomplacencyintheworkingofphysic,thoughitgripesthemsore;theyrationallythinkwiththemselvesthatitisgoodandbestfor them. So these lowly souls consider their afflicted lot as a spiritualmedicine, necessary, fit, and good for them; yea, best for them for thetime,sinceitisministeredbytheirheavenlyFather.Sotheyreachaholycomplacencyintheirlowafflictedlot.Thelowlyspiritextractsthissweetoutofthebitternessofhislot,consideringhowtheLord,bymeansofthatafflicting lot, stops the provision for unruly lusts, that they may bestarved; howHe cuts off the by-channels, that thewhole streamof thesoul'slovemayruntowardsHimself;howHepullsoffandholdsofftheman's burden and clog of earthly comforts, that hemay run themoreexpeditiouslyinthewaytoheaven.

5.Theyrestinit,aswhattheydesirenottocomeoutof,tilltheGodthatbrought them into it see it fit to bring them out with His good will.Though an unsubdued spirit's time for deliverance is always ready, ahumblesoulwillbeafraidofbeingtakenoutofitsafflictedlottoosoon.Itwill not be formoving for a change, till the heaven'smoving brings itabout. So this doesnot hinder prayer and the use of appointedmeans,with dependence on the Lord, but requires faith, hope, patience, andresignation.

II.Weshallconsiderthegenerationoftheproudgettingtheirwill,andcarryingalltotheirmind.Andintheircharacteralsoarethreethings.

First, there are crosses in their lot. They also have their trials allottedthemby overruling providence, and let thembe inwhat circumstancestheywillintheworld,theycannotmissthemaltogether.For,consider,—

1.Theconfusionandvanitybroughtintothecreationbyman'ssin,havemade it impossible to get through the world but menmust meet withwhatwill ruffle them. Sin has turned theworld from a paradise into athicket,thereisnogettingthroughwithoutbeingscratched.Asmidgesinthesummerwillflyaboutthosewalkingabroadinagoodlyattire,aswellasabout those insordidapparel;sowillcrosses in theworldmeetwiththehighaswellasthelow.

2.Theprideoftheirheartexposesthemparticularlytocrosses.Aproudheartwillmakeacross to itself,wherea lowlysoulwould findnone.Itwillmakearealcrosstentimestheweightitwouldbetothehumble.Thegeneration of the proud are like nettles and thorn hedges, uponwhichthings flyingaboutdo fix,while theypassover lowandplainthings;sononearemoreexposedtocrossesthanthey,thoughnonesounfittobearthem;asappearsfrom,

Secondly,reigningprideintheirspirit.Theirspiritswereneversubduedbyaworkofthoroughhumiliation;theyremainattheheightinwhichthecorruptionofnatureplaced them.Thus they canbynomeansbeartheyokeGodlaysonthem.Theneckisswollenwiththeillhumorsofprideand passion; thus, when the yoke once begins to touch it, they cannothaveanymoreease.Wemayviewthecaseoftheproudgenerationhereinthreethings.

1.Theyhave anover-value for themselves; and sowill not stoop to theyoke;itisbelowthem.Whataswellingvanityisinthat,"WhoistheLord,thatIshouldobeyHisvoice?"Thusaworkofhumiliationisnecessarytomakeone takeon theyoke,whetherofChrist'spreceptsorprovidence.The first error is in theunderstanding; fromwhereSolomonordinarilycalls a wickedman a fool; accordingly the first stroke in conversion istheretoo,byconvictiontohumble.Menarebigger in theirownconceitthantheyareindeed;thereforeGod,suitingthingstowhatwearereally,cannotpleaseus.

2. They have an unmortified, self-will, arising from that over-value forthemselves,andtheywillnotstoop.Thequestionbetweenheavenandusis,whetherGod'swillorourownmustprevail?Ourwilliscorrupt,God'swillisholy;theycannotagreeinone.GodsaysinHisprovidence,ourwill

mustyieldtoHis;butthatitwillnotdotilltheironsinewinitisbroken.

3. They have a crowd of unsubdued passions taking partwith self-will.Theysay,Heshallnotstoop,andsothewarbegins,andthereisafieldofbattlewithinandwithoutman.

A holy God crosses the self-will of proud creatures by His providence,overruling and disposing of things contrary to their inclination;sometimesbyHisownimmediatehand,asinthecaseofCain,sometimesbythehandofmencarryingthingsagainsttheirmind,as inthecaseofAhab,towhomNabothrefusedhisvineyard.

Theproudheartandwill,unabletosubmittothecross,ortobeartobecontrolled,risesupagainst it,andfights for themastery,with itswholeforceofunmortifiedpassions.Thedesignistoremovethecross,eventhecrook, and bring the thing to their ownmind. This is the cause of thisunholywar,inwhich,

(1.)Thereisoneblackbandofhellishpassionsthatmarchesupward,andmakes an attack; on heaven itself, namely, discontent, impatience,murmuring,frettings,andthelike."Thefoolishnessofmanpervertshisway;andhisheartfretsagainsttheLord."Thesefirethebeast,fallthecountenance, let off sometimes a volley of indecent and passionatecomplaints,andsometimesofblasphemies.

(2.)Thereisanotherthatmarchesforward,andmakesanattackontheinstrument or instruments of the cross, namely, anger, wrath, fury,revenge, bitterness, &c. These carry the man out of the possession ofhimself, fill the heart with a boiling heat, themouth with clamor, andevil-speaking,andthreateningsarebreathedout,andsometimessetthehands on work—a most heavy event—as in the case of Ahab againstNaboth.

Thus theproudcarryon thewar,butoftentimes they lose theday, andthecrossremainsimmovableforalltheycando;yea,andsometimestheythemselvesfallinthequarrel,itendsintheirruin.Butthatisnotthecaseinthetext.Forwearetoconsiderthemas,

Thirdly,gettingtheirwill,andcarryingalltotheirmind.Thisspeaks,

1.Holyprovidenceyieldingtotheman'sunmortifiedself-will,andlettingitgoaccording tohismind.Godsees it suitable to let thestrugglewithhimfall, for itdoesnotprevail tohisgood.So thereinsare laidon theproudman'sneck,andhehaswhathewouldbeat;"Ephraimisjoinedtoidols,lethimalone."

2.Thelustremaininginitsstrengthandvigor."Theywerenotestrangedfrom their lust."God, in themethod ofHis covenant, sometimes givesHis people theirwill, and sets themwhere theywould be; but then, inthat case, the lust for the thing is mortified, and they are as weanedchildren.Butherethelustremainsrampant.Theproudseekmeatforitandgetit.

3.Thecrossremoved,theyoketakenoff.Theycouldnotthinkofbringingtheirmind to their lot; but they thwarted with it, wrestled and foughtagainstit,tillitisbroughtuptotheirmind;sothedayis theirown,thevictoryisontheirside.

4.Themanispleasedinhishavingcarriedhispoint,evenasoneiswhenheisdividingthespoil.

Thusthecaseoftheafflictedlowlygeneration,andtheproudgenerationprospering,isstated.Now,

III. I am to confirm the doctrine, or the decision of the text,thatthecaseoftheformerisbetterthanthatofthelatter.Itisbetter to be in a low afflicted condition, with the spirit humbled andbroughtdowntothelot,thantobeofaproudandhighspirit,gettingthelotbroughtuptoit,andmattersgoingaccordingtoone'smind.Thiswillappearfromthefollowingconsiderations.

1. Humility is so far preferable to pride, that in no circumstanceswhatever its preferableness can fail. Let all the afflictions in the worldattendthehumblespirit,andalltheprosperityintheworldattendpride,humilitywillstillhavethebetter.Asgodinadunghill ismoreexcellentthansomuchleadinacabinet,For,

(1.)HumilityisapartoftheimageofGod.Prideisthemaster-pieceoftheimage of the devil. Let us viewHimwhowas the express image of theFather'sperson,andweshallbeholdHimmeekandlowlyinheart.Nonemoreafflicted,yetHisspiritperfectlybroughtdowntoHis lot. 'Hewasoppressed,andHewasafflicted,yetHedidnotopenHismouth."Thatis a shiningpart of theDivine image; for thoughGod cannotbe low inrespect ofHis state and condition, yetHe is of infinite condescension.NonebearsasHe,norsufferspatientlysomuchcontradictiontoHiswill;whichisproposedtousforourencouragementinaffliction,asitshoneinChrist. 'For consider Him that endures such contradiction of sinnersagainstHimself,lestyoubewearied,andfaintinyourminds."

Pride, on the otherhand, is the very image of thedevil. Shallwevalueourselvesontheheightofourspirits?Satanwillviewiththehighestofusinthatpoint.Thoughheisthemostmiserable,yetheistheproudestinthewholecreation.Thereisthegreatestdistancebetweenhisspiritandhislot;theformerisashighasthethroneofGod,thelatteraslowashell.Asitisimpossiblethateverhislotshouldbebroughtuptohisspirit;sohisspiritwillnevercomedowntohislot.Thereforehewillbeeternallyinastateofwarwithhislot.Thus,evenatthistime,hehasnorest,butgoesabout,seeksrestindeed,butfindsnone.

Now,isitnotbettertobelikeGodthanlikethedevil;likeHimwhoisthefountainofallgood,thanhimwhoisthespringandsinkofallevil?Cananything possibly cast the balance here, and turn the preference to theotherside?"Thenbetterit istobeofanhumblespiritwiththelowly,"&c.

(2.)Humility and lowliness of spirit qualify us for friendly communionand intercourse with God in Christ. Pridemakes God our enemy. Ourhappiness here and hereafter depends on our friendly intercoursewithheaven.Ifwehavenotthat,nothingcanmakeupourloss.Ifwehavethatnothingcanmakeusmiserable."IfGodisforuswhocanbeagainstus?"Now,whoaretheywhomGodisforbutthehumbleandlowly?Theywhobeing in Christ are so made like Him. He blessed them, and declaresthemtheheirsofthecrownofglory:"Blessedarethepoorinspirit, fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven."Hewilllooktothem,betheirconditionever so low, while He overlooks others. He will have respect to them

howevertheyaredespised:"ThoughtheFordishigh,yetHehasrespecttothelowly:buttheproudHeknowsafaroff."Hewilldwellwiththem,however poorly they dwell. He will certainly exalt them in due time,howeverlowtheylienow.

WhomisHeagainst?WhomdoesHeresist?Theproud.ThemHecurses,and that cursewilldryup their armat length.Theproudman isGod'srival; hemakes himself his own god, andwould have those about himmake him theirs too; he rages, he blusters, if they will not fall downbeforehim.ButGodwillbringhimdown.

Now,isitnotbettertobequalifiedforcommunionwithGodthantohaveHimengagedagainstus,atanyrate?

(3.)HumilityisadutypleasingtoGod,prideasinpleasingtothedevil.Godrequiresustobehumble,especiallyunderaffliction,"andbeclothedwithhumility."Thatisourbecominggarment.Thehumblepublicanwasaccepted, theproudPharisee rejected.Wemay sayof the generationofthe proud as "Wrath is come on them to the uttermost. "They pleaseneither God nor men, but only themselves and Satan, whom theyresembleinit.Nowdutyisbetterthansinatanyrate.

2.Theywhosespiritsarebroughtdownto theirafflicted lothavemuchquiet and repose of mind, while the proud, that must have their lotbrought up to their mind, have much disquiet, trouble, and vexation.Considerhereon theonehand thatquietofmind,andeasewithin isagreatblessinguponwhich thecomfortof lifedepends.Nothingwithoutthiscanmakeone'slifehappy.Andwherethisismaintainednothingcanmakeitmiserable.ThisbeingsecuredinGodthatisadefiancebidtoallthetroublesoftheworld,likethechildsailinginthemidstoftherollingwaves. The spirit brought down to the lot makes and maintains thisinwardtranquillity.Ourwholetroubleinourlotintheworldrisesfromthedisagreementofourmindwithit;letthemindbebroughttothelot,and the whole tumult is instantly hushed; let it be kept in thatdisposition,andthemanshallstandatease inhisaffliction, likea rockunmoved with waters beating on it: "And let the peace of God rule inyourhearts,tothewhichalsoyouarecalled."

On the other hand, consider what disquiet of mind the proud sufferbeforetheycangettheirlotbroughtuptotheirmind."Theyhavetaughttheir tongues to speak lies, and they weary themselves to commitiniquity." "You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, andcannotobtain:you fightandwar,yetyouhavenot. "Whatarrows ofgrief go through their heart! What torture of anxiety, fretting, andvexationmust they endure!What contrary passions fight within them!Andwhatsalliesofpassiondotheymake!WhatuneasinesswasHamanin because he could carry the point of revenge against Mordecai byobtainingtheking'sdecree!

When the thing is got to their mind it will not quit the cost. Theenjoymentof itdoesnotbringsomuchsatisfactionandpleasureas thewantofitgavepain.ThiswasevidentinRachel'scase,astothehavingofchildren.There is adead fly in theointment thatmars the savour theyexpectedtofindinit.Fruitpluckedoffthetreeofprovidencebeforeitisripewillreadilysettheteethonedge.Itproveslikethemannakeptovernight.

Theyhavebutanunsureholdofit;itdoesnotlastwiththem.Eitheritistakenfromthemsoon,andtheyarejustwheretheywereagain,"Igaveyouakinginmyanger,andtookhimawayinmywrath,"havingarootofpride,itquicklywithersaway;orelsetheyaretakenfromit,thattheyhavenoaccesstoenjoyit.SoHamanobtainedthedecree;butbeforethedayoftheexecutioncamehewasgone.

3.Theythatgettheirspiritbroughtdowntotheirafflictedlotgainapointfarmorevaluablethantheywhointheirprideforceuptheirlottotheirmind."He that is slowtoanger isbetter than themighty;andhe thatrules his spirit, than he that takes a city. " This will appear if youconsider,

(1.)Thelattermakesbutabetterconditioninoutwardthings,theformermakesabetterman.Thelifeismorethanmeat.Themanhimselfismorevaluablethanallexternalconveniencesthatattendhim.Whatthereforebetters the man is preferable to what betters only his condition. Whodoubtsbutwheretwoaresick,andtheonegetshimselftransportedfromacoarsebedtoafineone,thesicknessstillremaining;theotherliesstill

inthecoarsebed,butthesicknessisremoved;thatthecaseofthelatterispreferable?Sohere,&c.

(2.)Thesubduingofourownpassionsismoreexcellentthantohavethewholeworld subdued to ourwill: for thenwe aremasters of ourselves,according to that.Whereas, in the other case,we are still slaves to theworstofmasters.Intheonecasewearesafe,blowwhatstormwill;intheotherwelieexposedtothousandsofdangers."Hethathasnoruleoverhisownspiritislikeacitythatisbrokendown,andwithoutwalls."

(3.) When both shall come to be judged it will appear the one hasmultipliedthetaleoftheirgoodworksinbringingtheirspirittotheirlot;theothersthetaleoftheirillworksinbringingtheirlottotheirspirit.WehavetodowithanomniscientGod,inwhoseeyeseveryinternalactionisawork,goodorbad,tobereckonedfor.

Anafflictedlotispainful,butwhereitiswellmanageditisveryfruitful;itexercisesthegracesofthespiritofaChristian,whichotherwisewouldliedormant.ButthereisneveranactofresignationtothewillofGodunderthe cross, nor an act of trusting in Him for His help, but they will berecordedinheaven'sregisterasgoodworks.Andtheseareoccasionedbyaffliction.

Ontheotherhandthere isneverarisingof theproudheartagainstthelot,norafaithlessattempttobringittoourmind,whetheritsucceedornot, but it passes for an illwork beforeGod.How thenwill the tale ofsuchbemultipliedbythewayinwhichthespoilisdivided!

Use1.Ofinformation.Hencewemaylearn,

1. It is not always best for folks to get their will. Many there are whocannotbepleasedwithGod'swillaboutthem,andtheygettheirownwillwithavengeance."Israelwouldnoneofme,soIgavethemuptotheirown hearts' lusts, and they walked in their own counsels." It may bemostpleasantandgratefulforthetimebutitisnotthesafest.Letnotthepeoplepridethemselvesintheircarryingthingsthatwaythenbyastronghand;letthemnottriumphinsuchvictory:theafter-reckoningwillopentheireyes.

2.Theafflictedcrossedpartywhoselotiskeptlowissofarfrombeingaloserthatheisagainerbyitifhisspiritisbroughtdowntoit.Andifhewill see things in the light ofGod's unerringWord, he is inbetter casethan ifhehadgotall carried tohismind. In theoneway thevesselsofwrath are fitted for destruction. In the other the vessels of mercy arefittedforglory,andsoGoddisciplinesHisown.

3.ItisbettertoyieldtoProvidencethantofightitout,thoughweshouldwin.Yieldingtothesovereigndisposalisbothourbecomingdutyandourgreatestinterest.Takingthatwayweactmosthonorably;forwhathonorcantherebeinthecreature'sdisputinghisgroundwithhisCreator?Andweactmostwisely; forwhatevermaybe the successof somebattles inthatcase,wemaybesurevictorywillbeonheaven'ssideinthewar,"Forbystrengthshallnomanprevail.''

4.Itisofsomuchgreaterconcernforustogetourspiritsbroughtdownthanouroutwardconditionraised.Butwhobelievesthis?Allmenstriveto raise their outward condition; most men never mind the bringingdownoftheirspirits,andfewtherearewhoapplythemselvestoit.Andwhatisthatbuttobeconcernedtoministerdrinktothethirstysick,butnever to mind to seek a cure for them, by which their thirst may becarriedoff.

Use2.Ofexhortation.Asyoumeetwithcrossesinyourlotintheworld,letyourdesireberathertohaveyourspirithumbledandbroughtdownthantogetthecrossremoved.Imeannotbutthatyoumayusealllawfulmeansfortheremovalofyourcross,independenceonGod;butonlythatyoubemoreconcernedtogetyourspirittobowandply,thantogetthecrookinyourlotevened.

Motive1.Itisfarmoreneedfulforustohaveourspiritshumbledunderthe cross than to have the cross removed. The removal of the cross isneedfulonlyfortheeaseof theflesh, thehumblingfortheprofitofoursouls,topurifythem,andbringthemintoastateofhealthandcure.

2.Thehumblingofthespiritwillhaveamightygoodeffectonacrossedlot,buttheremovalofthecrosswillhavenoneontheunhumbledspirit.Thehumblingwilllightenthecrossmightilyforthetime,andinduetime

carryitcleanlyoff.Buttheremovalofthecrossisnotameanstohumblethe unhumbled; though it may prevent irritation, yet the disease stillremains.

3.Thinkwithyourselveshowdangerousandhopelessacaseitistohavethecrossremovedbeforethespiritishumbled;thatis,tohavethemeansof cure pulled away and blocked up from us while the power of thedisease is yetunbroken; tobe takenoff trialsbeforewehavegivenanygood proof of ourselves, and so to be given over of our Physician ashopeless.

Use 3. For direction. Believing the Gospel, take God for your God inChrist towards your eternal salvation, and then dwell much on thethoughtsofGod'sgreatnessandholiness,andofyourownsinfulness;sowillyoubehumbledunderthemightyhandofGod;andinduetimeHewillliftyouup.

HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,thatHemayexaltyouinduetime—1Peter5:6.

Intheprecedingpartofthischaptertheapostlepresentsthedutiesofthechurchofficerstowardsthepeople;andthenthedutyofthepeople,bothtowardstheirofficersandamongthemselves,whichhewindsupinoneword,submission.Forwhichcausesherecommendshumilityasthegreatmeans to bring all to their respective duties. This is enforced with anargumenttakenfromthedifferenttreatmenttheLordgivestotheproudandthehumble:hisopposingHimself to theone,andshowing favor totheother.Ourtextisanexhortationdrawnfromthatconsideration:andinitwehave,

1st.Thedutywearetostudy:``HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,thatHemayexaltyouinduetime."Andinthiswemaynotice,

(1.) The state of those towhom it is proposed, those under themightyhandofGodwhomHishandhashumbledorbrought low inrespectoftheir circumstances in theworld.Andby these, I think, aremeant, notonly such as are under particular signal afflictions, which is the lot of

some,butalso thosewho,by theprovidenceofGod,are inanykindofwaylowered,whichisthelotofall.Allbeinginastateofsubmissionordependenceonothers,Godhasmadethislifeastateoftrial;andforthatcause He has, by His mighty hand, subjected men one to another, aswives,children,servants,tohusbands,parents,masters;andtheseagaintotheirsuperiors;amongwhom,again,eventhehighestdependonthoseunder them, as magistrates and ministers on the people, even thesuprememagistrate.ThisstateoftheworldGodhasmadeforthetrialofmen in their several stations anddependenceonothers; and therefore,whenthetimeof trial isover, italsocomestoanend."Thencomestheend,whenheshallhaveputdownallruleandallauthorityandpower."Meantime,while it lasts, itmakes humility necessary to all, to promptthemtotheduty theyowe their superiors, towhomGod'smightyhandhassubjectedthem.

(2.)Thedutyitself,namely,humiliationofourspiritsunderthehumblingcircumstances theLordhasplacedus in."Humbleyourselves thereforeunder themighty hand of God, thatHemay exalt you in due time. "Whether we are under particular afflictions, which have cast us downfromtheheightweweresometimein,orwhetherweareonlyinferiorsinoneormorerelations,orwhether,whichismostcommon,boththeseareinourcase,wemust in this eye themightyhandofGod,as thatwhichplacesusthere,andisoverus,theretoholdusdowninit;andso,withanawful regard to it,bowdownunder it, in the temperanddispositionofour spirits, suiting our spirits to our lot, and careful of performing thedutyofourlowsphere.

(3.) A particular spring of this duty: therefore we must consider, thatthosewho cannot quietly keep the place assigned themofGod in theirafflictionsorrelation,butstillpressupwardagainstthemightyhandthatis over them, thatmightyhand resists them, throwing themdown, andoften farther down than before; whereas it treats themwith grace andfavorthatcomposethemselvesunderittoaquietdischargeoftheirdutyin their situation; so, eyeing this, we must set ourselves to humbleourselves.

2ndly.The infallible issueof that course; thatHemay exalt you induetime.Theparticlethatisnotalwaystobeunderstoodfinally,asdenoting

the end or design the agent proposes to himself, but sometimeseventuallyonly,asdenotingtheeventorissueoftheaction.Sohere,themeaningisnot,Humbleyourselves,ondesignHemayexaltyou;but,anditshallissueinHisexaltingyou.

(1.) Here is a happy event of humiliation of spirit secured, and that isexaltationor liftinguponhigh,bythepowerofGod,thatHemayexaltyou.Exaltingwillassurelyfollowonhumiliationofspirit,suitabletothelow lot, as the morning follows the night, or the sun rises after thedawning. And these words are fitted to obviate the objections that theworldandourcorruptheartsareapttomakeagainstbringingdownthespirittothelowlot.

Object.1.Ifweletourspiritfallweshallliealwaysatfolks'feet,andtheytrampleonus.

Ans. No; pride of spirit unsubdued will bringmen to lie at the feet ofothersforever.Buthumiliationofspiritwillbringthemundoubtedlyoutfromundertheir feet.Theythathumblethemselvesnowwillbeexaltedfor ever; they will be brought out of their low situation andcircumstances.Castyourselvesevendownwithyour lowlot,andassureyourselvesyoushallnotliethere.

Object.2.Ifwedonotraiseourselvesnonewillraiseus,andthereforewemustseetoourselvestodoourselvesright.

Ans.Thatiswrong.Humbleyourselvesinrespectofyourspirits,andGodwill raise youup in respect of your lot, or low condition; and theythathaveGodengagedforraisingthemhavenoreasontosaytheyhavenonetodoitforthem.Bringingdownofthespiritisourduty,raisingusupisGod's work; let us not forfeit the privilege of God's raising us up byarrogatingthatworktoourselves,takingitoutofHishand.

Object.3.Butsureweshallneverrisehighifweletourspiritsfall.

Ans.Thisiswrongtoo:Godwillnotonlyraisethehumbleones,butHewillliftthemuponhigh;forsothewordsignifies.Theyshallbeashighatlengthasever theywere low,were theyeverso low;nay, theexaltation

willbearproportiontothehumiliation.

(2.)Hereisthedateofthathappyeventwhenitwillfallout.Induetime,orintheseason,theproperseasonforit,"Indueseasonweshallreap,ifwedonotfaint."Weareapttowearyinhumbling,tryingcircumstances,andwouldinstantlyhaveupourhead.ButSolomonobserves,Thereisatimeforeverythingwhenitdoesbest,andthewisewillwaitforit.Thereis a time too for exalting them that humble themselves;Godhas set it,anditistheduetimeforthepurpose,thetimewhenitdoesbest,evenassowinginthespring,andreapingintheharvest.Whenthattimecomes,yourexaltingshallnolongerbeputoff,anditwillcometoosoonshoulditcomebeforethattime.

DoctrineI.Thebentofone'sheart,inhumblingcircumstances,should lie towardsasuitablehumblingof thespirit,asunderGod'smightyhandplacingusinthem.Weshallconsider,

I.Whatthingsaresupposedinthis.Itsupposesthat

1.Godbringsmenintohumblingcircumstances."AndallthetreesofthefieldshallknowthatItheLordhavebroughtdownthehightree."Thereisarootofprideintheheartsofallmenonearth,thatmustbemortifiedbeforetheycanbesuitableforheaven:andthereforenomancanmiss,inthistimeoftrial,somethingsthatwillgiveaproofwhetherhecanstoopornot.AndGodbringsthemintohumblingcircumstancesforthatveryend."TheLordyourGodledyouthesefortyyearsinthewilderness,tohumbleyou,andtoproveyou,toknowwhatwasinyourheart."

2.Thesecircumstancesprovepressingasaweightonthehearttendingtobearitdown."Thereforehebroughtdowntheirheartswithlabor."Theystrikeatthegrainoftheheart,andcrossthenaturalinclination:whenceatrialarises,whether,whenGodlaysonHismightyhand,themancanyieldunderitornot;andconsequently,whetherheissuitableforheavenornot.

3. The heart is naturally apt to rise up against these humblingcircumstances,andconsequentlyagainstthemightyhandthatbringsandkeepsthemon.Themannaturallybendshis forcetogetoff theweight,

that he may get up his head, seeking more to please himself than topleasehisGod."They cryoutby reasonof thearmof themighty.Butnonesays,whereisGodmymaker?"Thisisthefirstgatetheheartturnstoinhumblingcircumstances,andinthiswaytheunsubduedspiritholdson.

4.ButwhatGodrequiresis,rathertolabortobringdowntheheartthantogetupthehead.Here lies theproofofone'ssuitableness forheaven;andthenisoneinthewayheavenward,whenheismoreconcernedtogetdownhis heart than to get uphis head, to go calmlyunderhis burdenthantogetitoff,tobowunderthemightyhandthantoputitoffhim.

5. There must be a noticing of the hand of God in humblingcircumstances."Heartherod,andHimwhohasappointedit."There isanabjectnessof spirit,bywhichsomegiveup themselves to thewill ofothers in theharshest treatment,merely toplease them,withoutregardtotheauthorityandcommandofGod.Thisisrealmeannessofspirit,bywhich one lies quietly to be trampled on by a fellow-worm, from itsimaginaryweight; andnone so readily fall into it as theproudat sometimestoservetheirownturn.Thesearemen-pleasers.

II.WhatarethosehumblingcircumstancesthemightyhandofGodbringsmen into.Supposingherewhatwasbefore taughtconcerning the crook in the lot being of God'smaking, thesearecircumstances,—

1.Ofimperfection.Godhasplacedallmeninsuchcircumstancesunderavarietyofwantsand imperfections.Wecan looknowherewherewearenotbesetwiththem.Thereisaheapofnaturalandmoralimperfectionsaboutus.Ourbodiesandoursouls,inalltheirfaculties,areinastateofimperfection.Theprideofallgloryisstained;anditisashameforusnottobehumbledundersuchwantsasattendus.Itislikeabeggarstruttinginhisrags.

2.Of inferiority inrelations,bywhichmenareset in the lowerplace inrelationsandsociety,andmadetodependonothers.Godhas,foratrialofmen'ssubmissiontoHimself,subjectedthemtootherswhomHehassetoverthem,todiscoverwhatregardtheywillpaytoHisauthorityand

commands at second-hand. Dominion or superiority is a part of theDivine image shining in them. And therefore reverence of them,consisting inanawful regard to that rayof theDivine imageshining inthem, isnecessarily required.The sameholds inallother relationsandsuperiorities, namely, that they are so far in the place of God to theirrelatives,andthoughthepartiesareworthlessinthemselves,that lossesnot from the debt due to them. The reason is, because it is not theirqualities, but their character, which is the ground of that debt ofreverenceandsubjection;andthetrialofGodtakesofusinthatmatterandturnsnotonthepointoftheformer,butofthelatter.

Now, God having placed us in these circumstances ofinferiority,all refractoriness, inall thingsnot contrary to thecommand of God, is a rising up against His mighty hand,becauseitismediatelyonusforthateffect,thoughitisaman'shandthatisimmediatelyonus.

3.Ofcontradiction,tendingdirectlytobalkusofourwill.Thiswasapartof ourLord's stateofhumiliation, and the apostle supposes itwill be apart of ours too. There is a perfect harmony in heaven, no one tocontradict another there; for they are in their state of retribution andexaltation. But we are here in our state of trial and humiliation, andthereforecannotmisscontradiction,beweplacedeversohigh.

Whetherthesecontradictionsarejustorunjust,Godtriesmenwiththemtohumble them, tobreak themoff fromaddictedness to theirownwill,and to teach them resignation and self-denial. They are in their ownnaturehumbling,andmuchthesametousasthebreakingofahorseorabullistothem.AndIbelievetherearemanycasesinwhichtherecanbenoaccountingforthem,butbyrecurringtothisuseGodhasforthem.

4.Ofaffliction.Prosperitypuffsupsinnerswithpride;foritisveryhardtokeepalowspiritwithahighandprosperouslot.ButGod,byaffliction,callsmendownfromtheirheightstositinthedust,plucksawaytheirgayfeathers in which they prided themselves, rubs the paint and varnishfromoff the creature,bywhich it appearsmore in itsnativedeformity.Therearevariouskindsofaffliction,somemore,somelesshumbling,butallofthemarehumbling.

Wherefore,nottolowerthespiritundertheafflictionistoattempttoriseup when God is casting and holding us down; and cannot fail, ifcontinuedin,toprovoketheLordtobreakusinpieces.FortheafflictinghandofGodismighty.

5.Ofsin,asthepunishmentofsin.Wemayalludetothat.AllthesinintheworldisapunishmentofAdam'sfirstsin.Manthrewhimselfintothemireatfirst,andnowheis justly leftwelteringinit.Menwilfullymakeone false step, and for that cause they are justly left to make anotherworse;andsinhangsaboutall,eventhebest.AndthisisoverruledofGodforourhumiliation,thatwemaybeashamed,andneveropenourmouthanymore.Wherefore,not tobehumbledunderoursinfulness is to riseupagainstthemightyhandofGod,andtojustifyalloursinfuldepartingsfromHim,aslosttoallsenseofduty,andvoidofshame.

Ans.Delaysarenotdenialsofsuitsatthecourtofheaven,buttrialsofthefaith and patience of the petitioners. And whose will persevere willcertainly speed at length. "And shall not God avenge His own elect,whichcrydayandnighttoHim,thoughHebearslongwiththem?Itellyou thatHewill avenge them speedily. "Sometimes indeed folk growpettish in the case of the crook in the lot, and let it drop out in theirprayers, in a course of despondency, while yet it continues uneasy tothem;but,ifGodmindtoevenitinmercy,Hewillobligethemtotakeitinagain."IwillyetforthisbeinquiredofbythehouseofIsrael,todoitfor them. "&c. If the removal comeswhile it is dropped, therewill belittlecomfortinit.Thoughitwerenevertoberemovedwhilewelive,thatshouldnotcutoffourapplyingtoGodfortheremoval;fortherearemanyto be answered till we come to the other world, and there all will beansweredatonce.

III.Whatitisinhumblingcircumstancestohumbleourselvesunder the mighty hand of God. This is the great thing to beaimedat inourhumbling circumstances.Andwemay take itupintheseeightthings.

1.NoticingGod'smightyhand,asemployedinbringingabouteverything

that concerns us, either in the way of efficacy or permission. "And hesaid, It is theLord; let himdowhat seemshimgood. " "And the kingsaid, The Lord has said to him, Curse David: who shall then say,Whereforehaveyoudoneso?"Heisthefountainofallperfection,butwemust trace our imperfections to His sovereign will. It is He that hasposted every one in their relations byHis providence;withoutHimwecouldnotmeetwithsuchcontradictions; for,"Theking'sheart is inthehand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turns it wherever Hepleases."Hesendsafflictions,andjustlypunishesonesinwithanother.

2.Asenseofourownworthlessnessandnothingnessbeforehim.LookingtotheinfiniteMajestyofthemightyhanddealingwithus,weshouldsay,withAbraham,"Behold,Iambutdustandashes;"andsayamentothecry, "All flesh is grass. " &c. The keeping up of thoughts of our ownexcellencyunderthepressureofGod'smightyhandistheverythingthatswells the heart in pride, causing it to rise up against it. And it is thelettingofall such thoughtsofourselves fallbefore theeyesofHisglorythatisthehumblingrequired.

3.Asenseofourguiltandfilthiness.Themightyhanddoesnotpressusdown,butassinners;itismeetthenthatunderitweseeoursinfulness;ourguilt,bywhichweshallappearcriminalsjustlycausedtosuffer:ourfilthiness,whereuponwemaybebrought to loathe ourselves; and thenwe shall think nothing lays us lower than we well deserve. It is theoverlookingoursinfulnessthatallowstheproudhearttoswell.

4.AsilentsubmissionunderthehandofGod.Hissovereigntychallengesthisofus."Naybut,Oman,whoareyouthatrepliesagainstGod?"AndnothingbutunsubduedprideofspiritcanallowustoansweragainunderHis sovereign hand. A view of His sovereignty humbled and awed thePsalmistintosubmission,withaprofoundsilence."Iwasdumb,Ididnotopenmymouth,becauseYoudidit.""TheLordgave,andtheLordhastaken away; blessed is the name of the Lord. " And, "What shall IanswerYou?Iwilllaymyhandonmymouth.OncehaveIspoken,butIwillnotanswer;yea,twice,butIwillproceednofarther."AndEli,"ItistheLord;letHimdowhatpleasesHim."

5. A magnifying of His mercies towards us in the midst of all His

proceedingsagainstus.HasHe laidus low?IfwearedulyhumbledweshallwonderHehas laidusno lower.Forhowever low thehumblearelaid,theywillseetheyarenotyetsolowastheirsinsdeserve.

6.AholyandsilentadmirationofthewaysandcounselsofGod,astousunsearchable.Prideofheartthinksnothingtoohighfortheman,andsoarraigns before its tribunal the Divine proceedings, pretends to seethrough them, censures freely, and condemns;buthumiliationof spiritdisposes a man to think awfully and honorably of those mysteries ofProvidenceheisnotabletoseethrough.

7.AforgettingandlayingasidebeforetheLordallourdignity,bywhichweexcelothers.Pridefeedsitselfontheman'srealorimaginarypersonalexcellency and dignity, and, being so use to practising it before others,cannotforgetitbeforeGod."God,IthankYouIamnotasothermen."But humiliation of spirit makes it all vanish before him, as does theshadowbeforetheshiningsun,anditlaystheman,inhisowneyes,lowerthanany. "Surely I ammore brutish than anyman, and have not theunderstandingofaman."

8.Asubmittingreadilytothemeanestofficesrequisiteinoragreeabletoourcircumstances.Prideateveryturnfindssomethingthatisbelowthemantocondescend,orstoopto,measuringbyhisownmindandwill,notby thecircumstancesGodhasplacedhim in.Buthumilitymeasuresbythe circumstances one is placed in, and readily falls in with what theyrequire.Concerning this our Savior gaveus an example tobe imitated:"Being found in fashion as aman, He humbled Himself, and becameobedientuntodeath. " "If I then, yourLordandMaster, havewashedyourfeet,yououghtalsotowashoneanother'sfeet."

Use.Ofexhortation.Letthebentofyourheart,then,inallyourhumblingcircumstances, be towards the humbling of your spirit, as under themightyhandofGod.Thisliesintwothings.

1.Carefullynoticeallyourhumblingcircumstances,andoverlooknoneofthem.Observeyourimperfections;inferiorityinrelations;contradictionsyoumeetwith;yourafflictions;uncertaintyofall thingsaboutyou;andyoursinfulness.Lookthroughthemdesignedly,andconsiderthestepsof

the conduct of Providence toward you in these, that you may knowyourselves, andmay not be strangers at home, blind to your own realstateandcase.

2.Observewhatthesecircumstancesrequireofyou,assuitabletothem;bendyourendeavorstowardsit,tobringyourspiritsintothattemperofhumiliation, that, as your lot is really low in all these respects, so yourspiritsmaybelowtoo,asunderthemightyhandofGod.Letthisbeyourgreataimthroughyourwholelife,andyourexerciseeveryday.

Motive1.Godiscertainlyatworktohumbleoneandallofus.Howeverhighanyareliftedupinthisworld,Providencehashungcertainbadgesforhumiliationonthem,whethertheywillnoticethemornot.Now,itisour duty to fall in with the design of Providence, that while God ishumblinguswemaybehumbledourselves,andthatwemaynotreceivehumblingdispensationsinvain.

2. The humiliation of our spirit will not take effect without our ownagency in there: while God is working on us that way, we must worktogether with Him; for He works on us as rational agents, who, beingmoved,movethemselves.GodbyHisprovidencemayforcedownourlotandconditionwithoutus,butthespiritmustcomedownvoluntarilyandofchoice,ornotatall;therefore,strikeinwithhumblingprovidencesinhumbling yourselves, as mariners spread out the sails when the windbeginstoblowthattheymaygoawaybeforeit.

3.IfyoudonotyouresistthemightyhandofGod.Youresistinsofarasyoudonotyield,butstandasarock,keepingyourgroundagainstyourMakerinhumblingprovidences."Youhavestrickenthem,buttheyhavenotgrieved;youhaveconsumedthem,buttheyhaverefusedtoreceivecorrection.Theyhavemade their faces harder thana rock; theyhaverefusedtoreturn."MuchmorewhenyouworkagainstHimtoforceupyourcondition,whichyoumayseeGodmeanstoholddown.Andofthisresistanceconsider.

(1.)Thesinfulness;whatanevilthingit is.It isadirectfightingagainstGod, a shaking off of subjection to our sovereign Lord, and a rising inrebellionagainsthim.

(2.)Thefollyofit.Howunequalisthematch!Howcanthestruggleendwell?What else can possibly be the issue of the potsherds of the earthdashingagainsttheRockofages,butthattheyarebrokentopieces?AllmenmustcertainlyboworbreakunderthemightyhandofGod.

4.Thisisthetimeofhumiliation,eventhetimeofthislife.Everythingisbeautiful in its season; and the bringing down of the spirit now isbeautiful, as in the time of it, even as the ploughing and sowing of thegroundisinthespring.Consider,

(1.)HumiliationofspiritisinthesightofGodofgreatprice.Ashehasaspecialaversiontoprideofheart,hehasaspeciallikingofhumility.Thehumblingofsinnersandbringingthemdownfromtheirheights,inwhichthecorruptionoftheirnaturehassetthem,isthegreatendofHisWordandofHisprovidences.

(2.)Itisnoeasythingtohumblemen'sspirits;itisnotalittlethatwilldoit;itisaworkthatisnotsoondone.Thereisneedofadiggingdeepforathoroughhumiliationintheworkofconversion.Manyastrokemustbegivenattherootofthetreeofthenaturalprideoftheheartbeforeitfalls;oftenitseemstobefallen,andyetitarisesagain.Andevenwhentherootstroke isgiveninbelievers, therodofpridebudsagain, so that there isstilloccasionfornewhumblingwork.

(3.) The whole time of this life is appointed for humiliation. This wassignifiedbythefortyyearstheIsraeliteshadinthewilderness.ItwassotoChrist,andthereforeitmustbesotomen.Andinthattimetheymusteither be formed according to His image, or else appear as reprobatesilver thatwillnot take it onbyanymeans.So thatwhatever liftingupmenmaynowandthengetinthislife,thehabitualcourseofitwillstillbehumbling.

(4.) There is no humbling after this. If the pride of the heart is notbroughtdowninthis life itwillneverbe;nokindlyhumiliation is tobeexpected intheother life.Theretheproudwillbebroken inpieces, butnotsoftened; their lotandconditionwillbebrought to the lowest pass,buttheprideoftheirspiritswillstillremain,fromwhichtheywillbe ineternalagonies,throughtheoppositionbetweentheirspiritsandlot.

Therefore,bewarelestyousityourtimeofhumiliation:humbledwemustbe, or we are gone forever; and this is the time, the only time of it;therefore,makeyourhaywhile the sun shines; strike inwithhumblingprovidences, and do not fight against them while you have them. Theseason of grace will not last; if you sleep in seedtime, you will beg inharvest.

5.Thisisthewaytoturnhumblingcircumstancestoagoodaccount;sothat,insteadofbeinglosers,youwouldbegainersbythem."ItisgoodformethatIhavebeenafflicted."Wouldyougathergrapesofthesethornsandthistles,setyourselvestogetyourspiritshumbledbythem.

Humiliationofspiritisamostvaluablethinginitself.Itcannotbeboughttoodear.Whatever one ismade to suffer, if his spirit is by thatmeansdulybroughtdown,hehaswhatiswellworthbearingallthehardshipfor.

Humility of spirit bringsmany advantages alongwith it. It is a fruitfulbough,wellloaden,whereveritis.Itcontributestoone'seaseunderthecross. It is a sacrifice particularly acceptable toGod. The eye ofGod isparticularlyonsuchforgood."TothismanIwilllook,eventohimthatispoor,andofacontritespirit,andtremblesatMyword"Yea,Hedwellswiththem.Anditcarriesalineofwisdomthroughone'swholeconduct:"withthelowlyiswisdom."

6.Consider it isamightyhandthat isatworkwithus—thehandof themightyGod; let us then bend our spirits towards a compliancewith it,andnotwrestleagainstit.Consider,

(1.)Wemust fallunder it.Since thedesignof it is tobringusdownwecannotstandbeforeit;foritcannotmiscarryinitsdesigns."Mycounselshall stand. " So fall before it we must, either in the way of duty orjudgment."Yourarrowsaresharpintheheartoftheking'senemies,bywhichthepeoplefallunderYou."

(2.)Theythataresowiseastofallinhumiliationunderthemightyhand,betheyeversolow,thesamehandwillraisethemupagain.Inaword,betheproudeversohigh,Godwillbringthemdown;bethehumbleeversolow,Godwillraisethemup.

DirectionsForReachingThisHumiliation.

1.GeneralDirections.

Direct.1.Fix it inyourhearttoseeksomespiritual improvementof theconductofProvidencetowardsyou.Untilyourhearthasgottenset,yourhumiliation isnot tobeexpected.Butnothing ismore reasonable ifwewouldacteitherlikemenorChristians,thantoaimatturningwhatissogrievoustothefleshtotheprofitofthespirit;thatifwearelosersononehandwemaybegainersonanother.

2.Settlethematterofyoureternalsalvationinthefirstplace,bygoingtoChrist, and taking God for your God inHim, according to the Gospel-offer.Letyourhumblingcircumstancesmoveyoutothis, thatwhilethecreature dries up, you may go to the Fountain: for it is impossible toreachduehumiliationunderHismightyhand,without faith inHimasyourGodandfriend.

3.Use themeans of soul-humbling in the faith of the promise.Moses,smiting the rock in faith of the promise, made water gush out, whichotherwisewouldnot at allhaveappeared.Letusdo likewise indealingwithout rockyhearts.Theymustbe laidon the softbedof theGospel,andstruckthere,as"TurntotheLordyourGod,forHeisgraciousandmerciful;"ortheywillneverkindlybreakorfallinhumiliation.

II.ParticularDirections.

1.Assure yourselves that there are no circumstances that you are in sohumblingbutyoumaygetyourheartacceptablybroughtdowntothem."ButGod is faithful,whowillnotallowyou tobe temptedabovewhatyouareable;butwillwith the temptationalsomakeawaytoescape,thatyoumaybeabletobearit."Thisistruth."Mygraceissufficientforyou; forMystrength ismadeperfect inweakness."Andyoushouldbepersuaded of it,with application to yourselves, if ever youwould reachtheend."IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhichstrengthensme."Godallows you to be persuaded of it, whatever is your weakness and thedifficultyofthetask."Foroursakesthisiswritten,thathethatploughsshouldploughinhope;andhethatthreshesinhopeshallbepartakerof

hishope."Andthebeliefofitisapieceofthelifeoffaith.Ifyouhavenohopeofsuccess,yourendeavors,astheywillbeheartless,sotheywillbevain."Thereforeliftupthehandsthathangdown,andthefeebleknees."

2.Whateverhandis,orisnot,inyourhumblingcircumstances,takeGodforyourpart,andconsideryourselvesinthereasunderHismightyhand.MenintheirhumblingcircumstancesoverlookGod,sotheydonot findthemselves called to humility under them; they fix their eyes on thecreature instrument, and insteadofhumility, theirhearts rise.But takeHimforyourpartythatyoumayrememberthebattleanddonomore.

3. Be much in the thoughts of God's infinite greatness; consider Hisholinessandmajesty, toaweyou into thedeepesthumiliation.Jobmetwith many humbling providences in his case, but he was neversufficientlyhumbledunder them, till theLordmadeanewdiscoveryofHimselftohim,inHisinfinitemajestyandgreatness.Hekepthisgroundagainsthisfriends,andstoodtohispoints,tilltheLordtookthatmethodwithhim. Itwasbegunwith thunder.Then followedGod's voice out ofthe whirlwind, by which Job is brought down. It is renewed till he isfurther humbled, "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust andashes."

4. Make it your habit to silently admit mysteries in the conduct ofProvidencetowardsyou,whichyouarenotabletocomprehend,butwilladore."Othedepthof therichesbothof thewisdomandknowledgeofGod!HowunsearchableareHisjudgments,andHiswayspastfindingout!"ThatwasthefirstwordGodsaidtoJob,"whoisthisthatdarkenscounselbywordswithoutknowledge?" Itwent tohisheart, stuckwithhim,andhecomesoveritagain,asthatwhichparticularlybroughthimto his knees, to the dust. Even in those steps of Providence which weseemtoseefarinto,wemaywellallowtherearesomemysteriesbeyondwhatwesee.Andinthosewhichareperplexingandpuzzling,sovereigntyshouldsilenceus;His infinitewisdomshouldsatisfy, thoughwecannotsee.

5.Bemuch in the thoughts of your own sinfulness. "Behold, I amvile.What shall I answer You? I will lay my hand on my mouth. " It isoverlooking of that which gives us so much ado with humbling

circumstances.Whiletheeyesareheldthattheycannotseesintheheartrises against them; but when they are opened, it falls. Therefore,wheneverGodisdealingwithyouinhumblingdispensations, turnyoureyes,on thatoccasion,on the sinfulnessof yournature,heart, and life,andthatwillhelpforwardyourhumiliation.

6. Settle it in your heart that there is need of all the humblingcircumstancesyouareputin.Thisistruth,"Thoughnowforaseason(ifneed be) you are in heaviness through manifold temptations." Godbringsnoneedless trialsonus,afflictsnonebutas theirneed requires:"ForHedoesnotafflictwillingly,norgrievethechildrenofmen."ThatisanobservabledifferencebetweenourearthlyandourheavenlyFather'scorrection:"They,after theirownpleasure;butHe forourprofit, thatwemightbepartakersofHisholiness."Looktothetemperofyourownhearts andnature, howapt to be liftedup, to forgetGod, to be carriedawaywiththevanitiesoftheworld:whatfoolishnessisboundupinyourheart.Thusyouwillseetheneedofhumblingcircumstancesforballast,andoftherodforthefool'sback;andifatanytimeyoucannotseethatneed,believeitonthegroundofGod'sinfinitewisdom,thatdoesnothinginvain.

7.BelieveakinddesignofProvidenceinthemtowardsyou.Godcallsusto this, as the key that opens the heart under them. Satan suggestssuspicionstothecontrary,asthebarwhichmayholditshut:"ThisevilisoftheLord,whatshouldIwaitfortheLordanylonger?"Aslongasthesuspicionofanilldesigninthemagainstusreigns,thecreaturewill,likethewormattheman'sfeet,putitselfinthebestpostureofdefenceitcan,andhardenitselfinsorrow;butthefaithofakinddesignwillcauseittoopenoutitselfinhumilitybeforeHim.

Case."Oh,ifIknewtherewereakinddesigninit,Iwouldwillinglybearit, although there were more of it; but I fear a ruining design ofProvidenceagainstmeinit."

Answ.Now, what word of God, or discovery from heaven, have you togroundthesefearson?Noneatallbutfromhell.WhatdoyouthinkthedesigntowardsyouintheGospelis?Canyoubelievenokinddesigninallthe words of grace there heaped up? What is that, I pray, but black

unbelief in its hue of hell, flying in the face of the truth of God, andmakingHimaliar.TheGospelisabreathingofloveandgood-willtotheworldofmankindsinners.Butyoudonotbelieve it, in that case,morethan devils believe it. If you can believe a kind design there, youmustbelieve it in your humbling circumstances too; for the design ofProvidence cannot be contrary to the design of the Gospel; butcontrariwise,thelatteristohelpforwardtotheother.

8. Think with yourselves, that this life is the time of trial for heaven."Blessed is theman that endures temptation; forwhen he is tried, heshallreceivethecrownoflife,whichtheLordhaspromisedtothemthatlove Him." And therefore there should be a welcoming of humblingcircumstances in that view, "Count it all joywhen you fall into diverstemptations."Ifthere isanhonourableofficeorbeneficialemploymenttobebestowed,menstrivetobetakenontrialforit,inhopetheymaybeinthiswaylegallyadmittedtoit.NowGodtakestrialofmenforheavenbyhumblingcircumstances,asthewholeBibleteaches;andshallmenbesoveryloathtostooptothem?Iwouldaskyou,

(1.)Isitnothingtoyoutostandacandidateforglory,tobeputontrialforheaven?Istherenotanhonorinit,anhonorwhichallthesaintshavehad? "Behold, we count them happy that endure, " &c. And a fairprospectinit?"Forourlightaffliction,whichisbutforamoment,worksforusafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."Dobutputthecase, that God should overlook you in that case, as one whom it isneedlessevertotryonthathead;thatHeshouldorderyouyourportioninthislifewithfullease,asonethatistogetnomoreofHim;whatwouldthatbe?

(2.)Whatavastdisproportionistherebetweenyourtrialsandthefutureglory! Your most humbling circumstances, how light are they incomparisonoftheweightofit!ThelongestcontinuanceofHemisbutfora moment, compared with that eternal weight. Alas! There is muchunbeliefattherootofallouruneasinessunderhumblingcircumstances.Hadweaclearerviewoftheotherworldweshouldnotmakesomuchofeitherthesmilesorfrownsofthis.

(3.)Whatdoyou thinkof coming fouloff in the trialof yourhumbling

circumstances?"The lead is consumedof the fire; the foundermelts invain;forthewickedarenotpluckedaway.Reprobatesilvershallmencall them, because theLordhas rejected them. "That the issue of it isonly that your heart appear of such a temper as by no means to behumbled;andthatthereforeyoumustandshallbetakenoffthem,whileyet no humbling appears. I think the awfulness of the dispensation issuchasmightsetuptoourkneestodeprecatetheliftingusupfromourhumblingcircumstances,beforeourheartsarehumbled.

9. Think with yourselves, how, by humbling circumstances, the Lordpreparesusforheaven."GivingthankstotheFather,whohasmadeusfit tobepartakersof the inheritanceof the saints in light."The stonesandtimberarelaiddown,turnedoverandover,andhewed,beforetheyare set up in the building; and not set up just as they come out of thequarryandwood.Weretheycapableofachoice,suchofthemaswouldrefusetheirontoolwouldberefusedaplaceinthebuilding.Pray,howdoyou think tobemade suitable forheavenby thewarmsunshineof thisworld'sease,andgettingallyourwillhere?Nay,sirs,thatwouldputyourmouthoutof taste for the joysof theotherworld.Vesselsofdishonourare fitted for destruction that way; but vessels of honor for glory byhumblingcircumstances.Iwouldheresay,

(1.)Willnothingpleaseyoubuttwoheavens,onehere,anotherhereafter?Godhassecuredoneheavenforthesaints,oneplacewheretheyshallgetalltheirwill,wish,anddesire;wherethereshallbenoweightonthemtoholdthemdown;andthatisintheotherworld.Butyoumusthaveitbothhereandthereoryoucannotdigestit.Whydoyounotquarrel,too,thatthere are not two summers in one year; two days in the twenty-fourhours?The order of the one heaven is as firm as that of the years anddays,andyoucannotreverseit.Therefore,choosewhetheryouwilltakeyour night or your day first, yourwinter or your summer, your heavenhereorhereafter.

(2.)Withoutbeinghumbledwithhumblingcircumstancesinthislifeyouare not capable of heaven. "Now, he that haswrought us for the self-samethingisGod."Youmayindeedlieateasehereinabedofslothanddream of heaven, big with hopes of a fool's paradise, wishing to castyourselvesjustoutofDelilah'slapintoAbraham’sbosom;butexceptyou

behumbledyouarenotcapable,

(1.) Of the Bible-heaven, that heaven described in the Old and NewTestaments. Isnot thatheavena liftingup indue time?But,how shallyoubeliftedupthatareneverwellgotdown?Wherewillyourtearsbetobewipedaway?Whatplacewilltherebeforyourtriumph,whowillnotfight thegood fight?Howcan itbea rest to youwhocannot submit tolabor?

(2.)Ofthesaints'heaven."Andhesaidtome,Thesearetheywhichcameoutofgreat tribulation,andhavewashed theirrobes,andmade themwhite in the blood of the Lamb." This answers the question aboutAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,andallthesaintswiththemthere.Theywerebroughtdown to thedustbyhumbling circumstances, andout of thesetheycamebeforethethrone.Howcanyoueverthinktobeliftedupwiththemwithwhomyoucannotthinktobebroughtdown?

(3.)OfChrist'sheaven."Whoforthejoythatwassetbeforehimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andisnowsetdownattherighthandofGod " Oh! Consider how the Forerunner made His way. "Ought notChristtohavesufferedthesethings,andtoenterintohisglory?"AndlayyouraccountwithitthatifyougetwhereHeisyoumustgothereasHewent."AndHesaid,IfanymanwincomeafterMe,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdaily,andfollowMe."

10. Give up at length with your towering hopes from this world, andconfine them to theworld to come. Be as pilgrims and strangers here,looking for your rest inheaven, andnot till you come there. There is aprevailingevil."Youareweariedinthegreatnessofyourway;yetyoudidnot say,There isnohope. "SotheBabel-building is still continued,thoughithasfallendownagainandagain.Formensay,"Thebricksarefallendown,butwewillbuildwithhewnstones;thesycamoresarecutdown,butwewillchangethemintocedars."Thismakeshumblingworkverylonesome;wearesohardtoquitholdofthecreature,tofallofffromthe breast and beweaned. But fasten on the otherworld, and let yourhold of this go; so shall you "be humbled" indeed under "the mightyhand."Thefasteryouholdthehappinessofthatworldtheeasieritwillbetoaccommodateyourselvestoyourhumblingcircumstanceshere.

II.MakeuseofChrist inallHisoffices foryourhumiliationunderyourhumbling circumstances. That only is kindly humiliation that comes inHisway."AndtheyshalllookonMewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmourn,"&c.ThisyoumustdobytrustingonHimforthateffect.

(1.)AsaPriestforyou.Youhaveaconsciencefullofguilt,andthatwillmake one uneasy in any circumstances; it will be like a thorn in theshoulderonwhichaburdenislaid.ButthebloodofChristwillpurgetheconscience,drawout the thorn, giveease, and fit for service,doingoursuffering. "How much more shall the blood of Christ purge yourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod?"

(2.)AsyourProphet to teachyou.Wehaveneedtobe taughtrightlytodiscern our humbling circumstances; for often wemistake them so farthat theyproveanoppressive load;whereas,couldwerightlyseethem,just as God sets them to us, they would be humbling, but not sooppressive.TrulyweneedChrist,andthelightofHiswordandSpirit,toletusseeyourcrossandtrialaswellasourduty.

(3.)AsyourKing.Youhaveastiffheart,loathtobow,eveninhumblingcircumstances:takealessonfromMoseswhattodoinsuchacase."Andhe said,LetmyLord, Iprayyou,goamongus (for it is a stiff-neckedpeople),andpardonouriniquityandoursin."PutitinHishandthatisstrongandmighty.Heisabletocauseittomelt,and,likewaxbeforethefire,turntotheseal.

Thinkonthesedirectionsinordertoputtheminpractice,remembering—If you know these things you are happy if you do them. Remember,humblingworkisawordthatwillfillyourhandwhileyoulivehere,andthat you cannot come to the end of it till death; and humblingcircumstanceswillattendyouwhileyouareinthislowerworld.Achangeofthemyoumayget;butafreedomfromthemyoucannot,tillyoucometoheaven.Sothehumblingcircumstancesofourimperfections,relations,contradictions, afflictions, uncertainties, and sinfulness, will affordmatterofexercisetouswhilehere.—WhatremainsofthepurposeofthistextIshallcomprisein,—

Doctrine II.—There is a due time in which those that now

humble themselves under the mighty hand of God willcertainlybeliftedup.

1.Thosewhoshall shareof this liftingupmust lay theiraccount in thefirstplace,withacastingdown."intheworldyoushallhavetribulation." There is no coming to the promised land, according to the settledmethod of grace, but through the wilderness: nor entering into thisexaltation,but throughastraitgate. Ifwecannotawaywith thecastingdown,weshallnottastethesweetoftheliftingup.

2.BeingcastdownbythemightyhandofGod,wemustlearntoliestillandquietunderit,tillthesamehandthatcastusdownraiseusup,ifwewouldshareofthispromisedliftingup.ItisnotthebeingcastdownintohumblingcircumstancesbytheprovidenceofGod,butthecomingdownofourspiritsunderthem,bythegraceofGod,thatbringsuswithinthecompassofthispromise.

3.Thosewhoareneverhumbledinhumblingcircumstancesshallneverbeliftedupinthewayofthispromise.Menmaykeeptheirspiritsonthehighbend in their humbling circumstances, and in that casemay get aliftingup;butsuchaliftingupaswillendinamoregrievousfall."Surelyyousettheminslipperyplaces,youcastthemdowninamoment."Buttheywhowillnothumblethemselvesinhumblingcircumstanceswillfindthat their obstinacy will keep their misery ever fast on them withoutremedy.

4.Humilityofspiritinhumblingcircumstancesascertainsaliftingupoutof themsometime,with thegood-willand favorofHeaven. "Itell you,this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; forevery one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbleshimself shall be exalted. "Solomonobserves that "A soft answer turnsawaywrath;butgrievouswordsstirupanger."Andsoitis,thatwhiletheproud, through theirobstinacy,dobutwreath theyokefasterabouttheir own necks, the humble ones, by their yielding, make their reliefsure."Heraisesupthepooroutofthedust,andliftsupthebeggarfromthedunghill, toset themamongprinces,and tomake them inherit thethroneofglory.HewillkeepthefeetofHissaints,andthewickedshallbe silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The

adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces. "Sothe cannon willbreakdownastonewall,whileyieldingpacksofwooltakeawayitsforce.

5. There is an appointed time for the lifting up of those that humblethemselvesintheirhumblingcircumstances."Forthevisionisyetforanappointedtime,butattheenditshallspeakandnotlie:thoughittarry,waitforit;becauseitwillsurelycome,itwillnottarry."Toeverythingthereisatime,asforhumbling,soforliftingup.WedonotknowitbutGodknowsit,Whohasappointedit.Letnotthehumbleonesay,Ishallneverbeliftedup.Thisisatimefixedforit,aspreciselyasfortherisingofthesunafteralonganddarknight,orthereturnofthespringafteralongandsharpwinter.

6. It isnot tobeexpected that immediatelyonone'shumblinghimself,the lifting up is to follow.No: one is notmerely to lie downunder themighty hand, but to lie still, waiting the due time; humbling work islonesomework;theIsraeliteshadfortyyearsofitinthewilderness.God'speoplemustbebrought toputablank inHishand,as to the time;andwhiletheyhavealongnightofwalkingindarkness,musttrust."WhoisamongyouthatfearstheLord,thatobeysthevoiceofhisservant,thatwalks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of theLord,andstayuponhisGod."

7.Theappointedtimefortheliftingupistheduetime,thetimefittestforit, inwhich itwill comemost seasonably. "And let us not beweary inwell-doing;forindueseasonweshallreapifwedonotfaint."ForthatisthetimeGodhaschosenforit;andbesureHischoice,asthechoiceofinfinitewisdom, is thebest;and therefore faithsets towait it."He thatbelievesshallnotmakehaste."Muchofthebeautyofanythingdependson the timing of it, andHe has fixed that in all thatHe does. "He hasmadeeverythingbeautifulinHistime."

8.Theliftingupofthehumblewillnotfailtocomeintheappointedandduetime.Timemakesnohalting,itisrunningdayandnight;sotheduetime is fastcoming,andwhen itcomes itwillbring the liftingupalongwithit.Letthehumblingcircumstancesbeeversolow,eversohopeless,itisimpossiblebuttheliftingupfromthemmustcomeintheduetime.

A word, in the general, to the lifting up, abiding those that humblethemselves.Thereisatwo-foldliftingup.

1.Apartialliftingup,competenttothehumbledintimeduringthislife."IwillextolYou,OLord,forYouhaveliftedmeup,andhavenotmademyfoestorejoiceoverme."Thisisaliftingupinpart,andbutinpart,notwholly; and such liftings up the humbledmay expect while in thisworld,butnomore.–Thesegiveabreathing to theweary,a changeofburdens,butdonotsetthematperfectease.SoIsrael,inthewilderness,inthemidstoftheirmanymourningtimes,hadsomesingingones.

2.A total liftingup,competent to themat theendof time,atdeath. "Itcametopass,thatthebeggardied,andwascarriedbytheangelsintoAbraham'sbosom."ThentheLorddealswiththemnomorebyparcels,butcarriestheirrelieftoperfection.ThenHetakesoffalltheirburdens,easesthemofalltheirweights,andlaysnomoreonforever.Hethenliftsthem up to a height they were never at before, no, not even at theirhighest.He sets themquite above all that is low, and there fixes them,nevertobebroughtdownmore.Nowthereisaduetimeforboththese.

(1.)Forthepartialliftingup.Everytimeisnotfitforit;wearenotalwaysfittoreceivecomfortandease,orachangeofourburdens.Godseesthereare times inwhich it is needful forHis people to be "inheaviness," tohave their "heartsbroughtdownwithgrief: "Butthen there is a timereally appointed for it in the Divine wisdom, when He will think it asneedfultocomfortthemasbeforetobringdown."Sothat,contrariwise,yououghtrathertoforgive,andcomforthim,lestperhapssuchanoneshouldbeswallowedupwithovermuchsorrow."Weare, inthatcase,in the hand ofGod, as in the hand of our physician,who appoints thetime the drawing plaster shall continue, and when me healing plastershallbeapplied,andleavesitnottothepatient.

(2.) For the total lifting up. When we are sore oppressed with ourburdens,weare ready to think,O tobeaway,andsetbeyond themall!"Asaservantearnestlydesirestheshadow,andasanhirelinglooksfortherewardofhiswork;soamImadetopossessmonthsofvanity,andwearisomenightsareappointedtome."Butitmaybefitter,forallthat,thatwestayawhile,andstrugglewithoutourburdens."Nevertheless, to

abideinthefleshismoreneedfulforyou.Andhavingthisconfidence,IknowthatIshallabideandcontinuewithyouall,foryourfurtheranceandjoyof faith."Afewdaysmighthave takenIsraeloutofEgypt intoCanaan; but theywould have been too soon there if they hadmade allthat speed; so it was necessary mat they spend forty years in thewilderness till their due time of entering Canaan should come.And besurethesaintsenteringheavenwillbeconvincedthatthetimeofitisbestchosen,and therewillbeabeauty in that itwasno sooner.And thusaliftingupissecuredforthehumble.

Ifoneshouldassureyou,whenreducedtopoverty, that thetimewouldcertainly come yet that you should be rich; when sore sick, that youshouldnotdieofthatdisease,butcertainlyrecover;thatwouldhelpyouto bear your poverty and sickness the better, and you would comfortyourselves with that prospect. However, one may continue poor, andneverbe rich,maybe sick, anddieofhisdisease;butwhoeverhumblethemselves under their humbling circumstances, we can assure themfrom the Lord's word they shall certainly, without all peradventure, belifted up out of, and relieved from, their humbling circumstances; theyshall certainly see the day of their ease and relief, when they shallremembertheirburdensaswatersthatfail.Andyoumaybeassuredofitfromthefollowingconsiderations.

ThenatureofGod,dulyconsidered,insuresit."Thefordismercifulandgracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not alwayschide; neither will He keep His anger forever. " The humbled soul,looking to God in Christ, may see three things in His nature jointlysecuringit.

1.Infinitepower,thatcandoallthings.NocircumstancesaresolowbutHe can raise them; so entangling and perplexing but He can unravelthem;sohopelessbutHecanremedythem."Isanythingtoohardforthelord?"Beourcasewhatitwill,itisneverpastreachwithHimtohelpit;butthenitisthemostproperseasonforHimtotakeitinhandwhenallothers have given it over. "For the Lord shall judge His people, andrepentHimselfforHisservants;whenHeseesthattheirpowerisgone,andthereisnoneshutuporleft."

2. Infinite goodness inclining to help. He is good and gracious in Hisnature.AndthereforeHispowerisaspringofcomforttothem.Menmaybe willing that are not able, or able that are not willing; but infinitegoodnessjoininginfinitepowerinGod.mayascertainthehumbledofaliftingupinduetime.Thatisawordofinconceivablesweetness."AndwehaveknownandbelievedthelovethatGodhastous.Godislove;andhethatdwellsinlove,dwellsinGod,andGodinhim."Hehasthebowelsofafathertowardsthehumble."Likeasafatherpitieshischildren,sotheLordpitiesthemthatfearHim."Yea,bowelsofmercymoretenderthanamothertohersuckingchild.Wherefore,neverthelessHiswisdommaysee itnecessarytoputtheminhumblingcircumstances,andkeepthemthereforatime,itisnotpossibleHecanleavethemtherealtogether.

3. Infinite wisdom, that does nothing in vain, and therefore will notneedlessly keep one in humbling circumstances. "But thoughHe causegrief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of Hismercies; for He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children ofmen."God sends afflictions for humbling, as the end and design to bebroughtaboutbythem;whenthatisobtained,andthereisnomoreuseforthemthatwaywemayassureourselvestheywillbetakenoff.

TheprovidenceofGod,viewedinitsstatedmethodsofprocedureswithitsobjects, insures it.Turnyour eyeswhichwayyouwill on theDivineprovidence,youmayconcludefromitthatinduetimethehumblewillbeliftedup.

ObservetheprovidenceofGodintherevolutionsofthewholecourseofnature, day succeeding to the longest night, a summer to thewinter, awaxingtoawaningofthemoon,aflowingtoanebbingofthesea,&c.LetnottheLord'shumbledonesbeidlespectatorsofthesethings.Theyareforourlearning."ThussaystheLord,whichgivesthesunforalightbyday,andtheordinancesofthemoonandofthestarsforalightbynight,whichdividesthesea,whenthewavesofitroar;theLordofhostsisHisname. If thoseordinancesdepart frombeforeMe, says theLord, thentheseedofIsraelalsoshallceasefrombeinganaturebeforeMeforever"Will theLord's handkeep such a steady course in the earth, sea, andvisibleheavens,astobringaliftingupinthemafteracastingdown,andonlyforgetHishumbledones?No,bynomeans.

ObservetheprovidenceofGodinthedispensationsofit,aboutthemanChrist, the most noble and august object of it, more valuable than athousand worlds. Did not Providence keep this course with Him, firsthumbling Him, then exalting Him, and lifting Him up? First bringingHimtothedustofdeath,inacourseofsufferingsthirty-threeyears,thenexaltingHimtotheFather'srighthandinaneternityofglory?"WhoforthejoythatwassetbeforeHimenduredthecross,despisingtheshame,andisnowsetdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.""Andbeingfoundinfashionasaman,HehumbledHimself,andbecameobedienceuntodeath, even thedeathof the cross.ThereforeGodalsohas highlyexalted Him." The exaltation could not fail to follow His humiliation."Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter intoHisglory?"AndHesawandbelieveditwouldfollow,asthespringingoftheseeddoesthesowingit.Thereisanearconcernthehumbledinhumblingcircumstanceshavehere.

This is the pattern Providence copies after in its conduct towards you.TheFatherwassowellpleasedwiththismethodinthecaseofHisownSon,thatitwasdeterminedtobefollowedandjustcopiedoveragain inthecaseofalltheheirsofglory."ForwhomHedidforeknow,HealsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon,thatHemightbethefirst-bornamongmanybrothers."AndwhowouldnotbepleasedtowalkthroughthedarkestvalleytreadingHissteps?Thisisasurepledgeofyourliftingup.Christ,inHisstateofhumiliation,wasconsideredasapublic person and representative, and so is He in His exaltation. SoChrist's exaltation insures your exaltation out of your humblingcircumstances."Yourdeadmenshall live, togetherwithMydeadbodyshalltheyarise.Awakeandsing,youthatdwellinthedust.""ComeandletusreturntotheLord:forHehastorn,andHewillhealus;Hehassmitten,andHewillbindusup.AftertwodaysHewillreviveus.InthethirddayHewillraiseusup,andweshallliveinHissight.""Andhasraised us up together, andmade us sit together in heavenly places inChrist Jesus " Yea, He is gone into the state of glory for us as ourforerunner."Whithertheforerunnerisforusentered,evenJesus,madeanhighpriestforever.''

His humiliation was the price of your exaltation, and His exaltation a

testimony of the acceptance of its payment to the full. There are nohumbling circumstances you are in, but you would have perished inthem, had not He purchased your lifting up out of them by His ownhumiliation. Now, His humbling grace in you is an evidence of theacceptanceofHishumiliationforyourliftingup.

ObservetheprovidenceofGodtowardstheChurchinallages.Thishasbeen the course the Lord has kept with her. Abel was slain by wickedCain, to the great grief of Adam and Eve and the rest of their piouschildren;butthentherewasanotherseedraisedupinAbel'sroom.Noahandhissonswereburiedaliveinthearkformorethanayear;butthentheywerebroughtoutintoanewworldandblessed.Abrahamformanyyears went childless; but at length Isaac was born. Israel was long inmiserablebondage inEgypt;butat length seated in thepromised land,&c. We must be content to go by the footsteps of the flock; and if inhumiliation,weshallsurelyfollowtheminexaltationtoo.

ObservetheprovidenceofGodinthedispensationsofHisgracetowardsHischildren.Thegeneralrule is."ForGodresists theproud,andgivesgracetothehumble."Howare theybrought intoastateofgrace?Is itnot by a sound work of humiliation going before? And ordinarily thegreater the measure of grace designed for any, the deeper is theirhumiliationbefore,asinPaul'scase.Iftheyaretoberecoveredoutofabacksliding case, the same method is followed: so that the deepesthumiliation ordinarily makes way for the greatest comfort, and thedarkesthourgoesbeforetherisingoftheSunofrighteousnessonthem.

Observe the providence of God at length throwing down wicked men,however long they standandprosper, "Ihave seen thewicked ingreatpower,andspreadinghimselflikeagreenbaytree;yethepassedaway,and,lo,hewasnot;yea,Isoughthim,buthecouldnotbefound."Theyare long green before the sun, but at length they are suddenly smittenwithaneastwind,andwitheraway; their lampgoesoutwitha stench,andtheyareputoutinobscuredarkness.Now,itisinconsistentwiththebenignityoftheDivinenaturetoforgetthehumbletoraisethem,whileHemindstheproudtoabasethem.

The word of God puts it beyond all peradventure, which, from the

beginning to the end, is the humbled saint's security for a lifting up."RememberthewordtoYourservant,onwhichYouhavecausedmetohope.Thisismycomfortinmyaffliction;forYourwordhasquickenedme. "Hisword is the great letter ofHis name,whichHewill certainlycause to shine, "For you have magnified Your word above all Yourname;"andinallgenerationshasbeensafelyreliedon.Consider,

1.Thedoctrinesoftheword;whichteachfaithandhopeforthetime,andthehappy issuewhich theexerciseof thesegraceswillhave.ThewholecurrentofScripture,tothoseinhumblingcircumstances,is,"nottocastaway their confidence, but to hope to the end;"and that for this goodreason, "that it shall not be in vain. " "Wait on the Lord; be of goodcourage,andHeshallstrengthenyourheart;wait,Isay,ontheLord.""FortheyshallnotbeashamedthatwaitforMe."

2.Thepromisesoftheword,bywhichheavenisexpresslyengagedforalifting up to those that humble themselves in humbling circumstances:"Humbleyourselves in thesightof theLord,andHeshall liftyouup;""And he that humbles himself shall be exalted " Itmay take a time topreparethemforliftingup,butthatbeingdoneitissecured."Lord,Youhaveheardthedesireofthehumble;Youwillpreparetheirheart;YouwillcauseYoureartohears"TheyhaveHiswordfordeliverance.Andthough theymay seem tobe forgotten, they shall not be always so; thetimeof theirdeliverancewillcome."For theneedy shallnotalwaysbeforgotten:theexpectationofthepoorshallnotperishforever.""Hewillregardtheprayerofthedestitute,andnotdespisetheirprayer."

3. The examples of the word sufficiently confirming the truth of thedoctrinesandpromises."Forwhateverthingswerewrittenbefore,werewritten forour learning: thatwe throughpatienceandcomfortof theScripturesmighthavehope. " In thedoctrinesandpromises the liftingupisproposedtoourfaith, tobereckonedonthecreditofGod'sword;but intheexamples it is, inthecaseofothers,setbeforeoureyestobeseen."Behold,we count themhappywhich endure.YouhaveheardofthepatienceofJob,andhaveseentheendoftheLord;thattheLordisvery pitiful, and of tender mercy. " There we see it in the case ofAbraham,Job,David,Paul,andothersaints;butaboveallinthecaseofthemanChrist.

4.TheintercessionofChrist,joiningtheprayersandcriesofHishumbledpeople,intheirhumblingcircumstances,insuresaliftingupforthematlength.Beitso,thattheproudcrynotwhenHebindsthem;yetHisownhumbledoneswillcertainlycrytoHim."Deepcallstodeepatthenoiseofyourwater-sprouts;allyourwavesandyourbillowsaregoneoverme.Yet theLordwillcommandHis loving-kindness in thedaytime,andinthenightHissongshallbewithme,andmyprayertotheGodofmylife." And though unbelievers may soon be worn out and give it overaltogether,surelybelieverswillnotdoso.Buteveniftheydosoinafitoftemptation, dropping their hands in hopelessness, they will find itnecessary to take it up again "Then I said, Iwill notmakemention ofHimnorspeakHisnameanymore.ButHiswordwasinmyheartasaburningfireshutupinmybones,andIwaswearywithholdingback,andIcouldnotstay."Theywillcrynightanddayuntohim,knowingnotime forgiving it over till theybe liftedup. "Myeye tricklesdownanddoesnotceaseorhareanyintermissionuntiltheLordlooksdownandbeholds from heaven."Now, when Christ's intercession is joined withthesecries,therecannotbutfailtobealiftingup.

AndChrist'sintercessioniscertainlyjoinedwiththecriesandprayersofthehumbledintheirhumblingcircumstances,"Andanotherangelcameandstoodatthealtar,havingagoldencenser;andtherewasgiventohimmuchincense,sothathemightofferitwiththeprayersofallsaintson thegoldenaltarwhichwasbefore the throne. "Theyarehelped togroan for relief by the Spirit, and the prayers and groans which arethroughtheSpiritarecertainlytobemadeeffectualbytheintercessionoftheSon.AndyoumayknowtheyarebytheSpiritifithappensthatyouarehelped to continuepraying,hoping for your relief on the groundofGod'swordofpromise.Forthatprayingwhichisbynatureisapoolthatwilldryupinalongdrought.TheSpiritofprayeristhelastingspring."Inthe day when I cried, You answered me and strengthened me withstrength in my soul. " Truly there is an intercession in Heaven, onaccount of the humbling circumstances of the humble ones, "Then theangeloftheLordansweredandsaid,OLordofhosts,howlongwillYounothavemercyonJerusalem,andonthecitiesofJudah,againstwhichYouhavehadindignationtheseseventyyears?"Howthencantheyfail

togetaliftingupinduetime?

Christ is in deep earnest in His intercession for His people in theirhumbling circumstances. Some will speak a good work in favor of thehelpless, that would not be concerned if they succeed or not, but ourIntercessorisinearnestinbehalfofHishumbledones.ForHeistouchedwithsympathy in theircase,"Inall theirafflictionHewasafflicted."Amost tender sympathyhasHe; "Forhe that touchethyou, toucheth theappleofhiseye."HehastheircaseuponHisheart,whereHeis intheholyplaceinthehighestheavens,andHekeepsanexactaccountofthetimeoftheirhumblingcircumstances,howeverlongitmaybe.Andit isHisownbusiness.TheliftingupwhichtheyaretohaveisathingthatissecuredtoHiminthepromisesmadetoHimonaccountofthebloodHeshedforthem.Sonotonlyaretheylookingonearth,butthemanChristisinHeavenlookingfortheaccomplishmentofthesepromises,"ButthisMan,afterHehadofferedonesacrificeforsins,foreversatdownontherighthandofGod;fromthattimeonexpectinguntilHisenemiesshouldbe made His footstool. " How is it possible, then, that He should befrustrated? Again, these humbling circumstances are still His ownsufferings, though not in His person, yet in His members. "Who nowrejoice inmysufferingsforyou,andfillupthatwhichisbehindoftheafflictionsofChristinmyflesh,forhasbody'ssake,whichisthechurch."ThereforethereisallgroundtoconcludethatHeisindeepearnest.

Hisintercession is always effectual, "And I know that You hear Mealways."Itcannotfailtobeso,becauseHeistheFather'swell-belovedSon.His intercession has a plea of justice for its ground, "We have anadvocatewith theFather, JesusChrist the righteous. "AndHe has allpower inHeaven and in earth lodged inHimAnd, finally,He andHisFatherareone,andtheirwillisone.SobothChristandHisFatherdesiretheliftingupofthehumbleones,butyetonlyinduetime.

Inowproceedtoamoreparticularviewofthepoint:Wewillconsidertheliftingup as brought about in time,which is thepartial liftingup.ThisliftingupdoesnottakeplaceineverycaseofachildofGod.Onemaybehumbledinlowcircumstancesfromwhichheisnottogetaliftingupintime.Wewouldnotfromthepromisepresentlyconcludethatwe,beinghumbled under our low circumstances, shall certainly be taken out of

themandfreedfromthembeforewegettotheendofourjourney.Foritiscertaintherearesomehumiliatingthingswhichwecanbynomeansberidofwhileinthisworld,suchasourimperfections,oursinfulness,andourmortality.AndthereareparticularhumblingcircumstancestheLordmaybringaboutus,andkeepaboutus,untilwegodowntothegrave.Yetat the same timeHemay lift up another from the same circumstances.Hemanwaspresseddownall along, fromhis youthonward;butothershavebeenpresseddownalltheirlifetime.

Objections: If that is the case, what about the promise to lift us up?Whereistheliftingupifonemaygotothegraveundertheweight?

Answer:Iftherewerenolifeafterthis,therewouldperhapsbegroundforsuch an objection. But since there is another life, there is no validobjectiontobemade.Intheotherlifethepromisewillbeaccomplishedto those who have been humbled. Consider that the great term foraccomplishment of the promises is the other life, and not this one—"These all died in the faith, not having received the promises, buthaving seen them afar off; and they were persuaded of them andembracedthem."Whateveraccomplishmentof thepromise ishere it isnotofthenatureofastock,butitisbutasampleorapledge.

Question: But then may we not stop praying for the lifting up in thatcase?

Answer:No,becausewedonotknowwhen that isour case.Fora casemaybepastallhopeinoureyesandintheeyesofothers,yetGodmaydesignaliftingupintime.ThiswasJob'scase,"WhatismystrengththatIshouldhope?AndwhatismyendthatIshouldprolongmylife?"But,be that as itmay,we should never give over praying for the lifting up,since it will certainly come to all that pray for it—if not here, thenhereafter.Thepromiseissure,andthatisthecommandment;thereforesuchprayingcannotfail tohaveahappyissueat length,"CallonMeinthe day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you shall glorifyMe." Thewhole life of a Christian is a praying, waiting life. And we are giventemporal deliverances as pledges to encourage us to it. "And not onlythey,butourselvesalso,whohavethefirst-fruitsoftheSpirit,evenweourselvesgroanwithinourselves,waitingfortheadoption, that is, the

redemption of our body. "Andwhoever observes that full lifting up atdeath tobeathandmustcertainly rise, ifhehasgivenoverhiscaseashopeless.

However, there are some cases in which this lifting up does not takeplace. God gives His people some notable deliverances, even in timeraising them out of remarkably humbling circumstances. The storm ischangedintoacalm,andtheyrememberitaswatersthatfail.

Somemaybe inhumblingcircumstancesvery long,heavyandhopelesscircumstances,andyeta liftingupbeheldback fora long time.This issometimesthecasewiththechildrenofGodwhoaresettobeartheyokeintheiryouthasitwaswithJosephandDavid;orofthosethatgetitlaidonthemintheirmiddleage,asitwaswithJob,whocouldnothavebeenlessthanfortyyearsoldwhenhistroublecame;butafterwardshe livedonehundredand fortyyears.Godbysuchmethodsprepares aman forpeculiarusefulness.

Othersmaybe inhumblingcircumstances,heavyand long,andmaybequitehopeless in theordinary courseofprovidence, yet theymayget alifting up before they come to their journey's end. The life of some ofGod'schildrenislikeacloudyandrainyday,inwhichthesunbreaksoutfromunderthecloudsintheafternoon,shiningfairandclearalittle,andthenitsets.("Anditshallhappeninthatdaythatthelightshallnotbeclearnordark.Butitshallhappenthatateveningtimeitshallbelight.")Such was the case with Jacob in his old age, brought in honor andcomfortintoEgypt,tohisson,andthenhedied.

Yetwhateverliftingsuptheymaygetinthislife,theywillneverlacksomeweightstohangonthemfortheirhumbling.Theymayhavetheirsingingtimes,but their songswhile in thisworldwillbemixedwithgroanings,"For we that are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened." Theunmixeddispensationisreservedfortheotherworld.Butthisonewillbeawilderness to the very end,where therewill behowlings alongsideofthemostjoyfulnotes.

All the liftings up which the humbledmeet with now are pledges, andonlypledgesandsamplesofthegreatliftingupwhichawaitsthemonthe

otherside.Andtheyshouldlookuponthemassuch,"AndIwillgiveherher vineyards from there, and the valley ofAchor for a door of hope.Andsheshallsingthereas inthedaysofheryouth,andas inthedaywhenshecameupoutofthelandofEgypt."OurLordisnowleadingHispeoplethroughthewilderness,andthemannaandthewateroftherockare earnests of themilk andhoney flowing in the promised land. TheyhavenotyetcomehometotheirFather'shouse,buttheyaretravellingonthe road. And their elder brother Christ is with them, bearing theirexpenses, taking them into inns for rest by the way, and as it were,refreshing themwith partial liftings up. But then theymust get on theroadagain.AndthatentertainmentbythewayisbutapledgeofthefullentertainmentHewillgivethemwhentheyarriveattheireternalhome.

Objection:Butpeoplemay get a liftinguphere in time, yet there is nopledge of a lifting up on the other side. How then shall I know it is apledge?

Answer:Thatliftingupwhichcomesbythepromisesiscertainlyapledgeofthefullliftingupintheotherworld.For,astheotherlifeisthepropertimefortheaccomplishingofthepromises,sowemaybesurethatwhenGodoncebegins to clearHis bond,Hewill certainlyhold on until it isfullycleared."TheLordwillperfectthatwhichconcernsme."Sowemaysay,asNaomisaidtoRuth,whenshereceivedthesixmeasuresofbarleyfromBoaz,"Hewillnotrestuntilhehasfinishedthethingtoday."Thereare liftings up that come by common providence and these indeed aresingle, not being pledges of more. But the promise chains merciestogether,sothatonereceivedisapledgeofanothertocome;yea,ofthewholechaintotheend.

Question:Buthowshall Iknow that the liftingupcomesbywayof thepromise?

Answer:Thatwhichcomesby thewayof thepromisecomes in the lowwayofhumiliation, thehighwayof faith,orbelieving thepromise,andthe long way of waiting hope and patient continuance, "Therefore, bepatient,brothers,tothecomingoftheLord.Behold,thefarmerwaitsfortheprecious fruitof theearth,andhehas longpatience for it,untilhereceives the early and latter rain." Humility prepares for the

accomplishmentofthepromise,faithsucksitsbreast,andpatientwaitinghangsbythebreastuntilthemilkcomesflowingforthabundantly.

But no liftings up ofGod's children here are anymore than pledges ofliftingup.Godgivesworldlymen their stockhere,butHis childrengetnothingbutasampleoftheirshere.Evenastheservantatthetermgetshisfeeinaroundsum,whiletheyoungheirgetsnothingbutafewpencefor spending money. The truth is, this same spending money is morevaluable than the world's stock "You have put gladness in my heart,more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased."Butthoughitisbetterthanthatandtheirservicestooandworthmorethanall theirwaiting, yet it is below thehonor of theirGod to put themoffwith it,"Butnowtheydesireabettercountry, that is,aheavenlyone;thereforeGodisnotashamedtobecalledtheirGod,forHehaspreparedacityforthem."

Weshallnowconsiderwhat theywill getby this liftinguppromised tothehumbledones.Theywillget:

1.A removalof theirhumblingcircumstances.Godhaving tried themawhilehumblingthemandbringingdowntheirhearts,willatlengthtaketheirburdenoff,removetheweightthathashungonthemsolong,andsowilltakethemoffthatpartoftheirtrialjoyfully.AndHewillletthemgetup,thoughtheirbackhasbeenlongboweddown.AndthisHewilldointwoways:eitherinkind,orbyatotalremovaloftheburden.JobgotsuchaliftingupwhentheLordturnedbackhiscaptivity,increasedagainhis family and substance, which had both been desolated. When hispersecutor Saul fell in battle, David was brought to the kingdom aftermanyawearyday,yethehadexpectedonedaytofallbyhishand.It iseasy with our God to make such turns in the most humblingcircumstances.

Ortheequivalentgood,removingtheweightoftheburdensothatitdoesnotpressthemdownanymore,eventhoughitremains."AndHesaidtome,Mygrace is sufficient for you, forMy strength ismadeperfect inweakness.Mostgladly, therefore, Iwillratherglory inmy infirmities,sothatthepowerofChristmayrestonme.Therefore,Itakepleasureininfirmities."Thoughtheymaynotyetbetotheshore,yettheirheadisno

longer under the water, but lifted up. David speaks feelingly of such aliftingup,"ForinthetimeoftroubleHeshallhidemeinHispavilion.InthesecretofHistabernacleHeshallhideme;Heshallsetmeonarock.Andnowmyheadshallbeliftedupabovemyenemiesroundaboutme.ThereforeIwilloffersacrificesofjoyinHistabernacle.Iwillsing,yea,Iwill sing praises to the Lord." Such an experience overwhelmed theHebrewsinthefieryfurnace:thefireburned,but itcouldburnnothingbut their bonds; they had its warmth and its light, but nothing of thescorchingheat.

2.Acomfortablesightoftheacceptanceoftheirprayerswhichtheyputupintheirhumblingcircumstances.Whileprayersarenotanswered,buttroublecontinued,theyareapttothinktheyarenotacceptedorregardedinHeaven,becausethereisnochangeintheircase,"IfIhadcalled,andHehadansweredme,yetIwouldnotbelievethatHehadlistenedtomyvoice,forHebreaksmewithatempest."Butthatisamistake!Theyareacceptedimmediately,eventhoughtheredoesnotseemtobeananswerto prayer, "And this is the confidencewe have inHim, that if we askanythingaccordingtoHiswill,Hehearsus."TheLorddoeswiththemasa fatherwith the letters coming thick fromhis sonabroad,HereadsthemonebyonewithpleasureandcarefullylaysthemuptobeansweredatHisconvenience.Andwhentheanswercomes,thesonwillknowhowacceptabletheyweretohisfather.

3.Aheart-satisfyinganswer to theirprayers, so that theyshallnotonlygetthething,butseetheyhave itasananswerofprayer.Andtheywillputadoublevalueonthemercy.Acceptedprayersmaynotbeansweredfor a long time; in Abraham's andDavid's case it wasmany years, butthey cannot miscarry or be unanswered at length. The time will comewhenGodwill count it out to themaccording to thepromise, and theyshallchangetheirnoteandsay,"I lovetheLord,becauseHehasheardmyvoiceandmysupplication:"lookingontheirliftingupasbearingthesignatureofthehandofaprayer-hearingGod.

4.Fullsatisfaction'astotheconductofProvidence,inallthestepsofthehumbling circumstances, and the delay of the lifting up, howeverperplexingthesewerebefore.Standingontheshoreandlookingbacktowhattheyhavepassedthrough,theywillbemadetosay,"Hehasdoneall

thingswell."Thosethingswhicharebitter toChristians in thepassingthroughareverysweetwhenwereflectonthem(Samson'sriddleisthenverifiedintheirexperience).

5.Theygettheliftingup,togetherwiththeinterestforthetimethey layoutofit.WhenGodpaysHisbondsofpromises,Hepaysbothprincipaland interest together: themercy is increasedaccording tometimetheywaited,andtheexpensesandhardshipssustainedduringthedependenceof the process. The fruits of common providence are soon ripe, soonrotten.Butthefruitofthepromiseisoftenalongtimeripening,butthenitendures.Andthelongerittakestoripen,themorevaluableitiswhenitcomes.AbrahamandSarahwaitedforthepromiseabouttenyears,andatlengththeythoughtofawaytohastenit.Itsoontook,inthebirthofIshmael, but he was not the promised son. They were coming intoextremeoldagebeforethepromisewasbroughtforth.Butwhenitcame,they got it with an addition of the renewing of their ages. The mostvaluableofallthepromiseswasthelongestinbeingfulfilled,namely,thepromiseofChrist,beingaboutfourthousandyears.

6. The spiritual enemies that flew thick about them in the time of thedarkness of the humbling circumstances, thesewill be scattered at thisliftingupinthepromise.

"And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the Lord, mymouthisenlargedovermyenemies.Theythatwerefullhavehiredoutthemselves for bread, and they that were hungry ceased" Formidablewas Pharaoh’s host behind the Israelites, while they had the Red Seabeforethem;butwhentheywerethroughthesea,theysawtheEgyptiansdeadontheshore.Suchasightwill theythathumblethemselvesunderhumbling circumstances get of their spiritual enemies when the timecomesfortheirliftingup.

WecomenowtotheduetimeofHisliftingup.Thatisanaturalquestionof thosewho are in humbling circumstances, "Watchman,what of thenight?"Andwecannotanswerittothehumbledsoul,butinthegeneral.

The lifting up of the humbled will not be lonesome, considering theweightofthematter;thatistosay,consideringtheworthandvalueofthe

liftingupofthehumble;whenitcomes,itcanbynomeansbereckonedlong to the time of it.When you sow your corn in the fields, though itdoesnotripensosoonassomegarden-seeds,butyouwaitthreemonthsorso,youdonotthinktheharvestlongacoming,consideringthevalueof the crop. This view the apostle takes of the lifting up in humblingcircumstances, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,worksforusafarmoreexceedingandeternalweightofglory."Sothatabeliever,lookingonthepromisewithaneyeoffaith,andperceivingitsaccomplishment,andtheworthofitwhenaccomplished,maywonderitis come so shortly. Therefore, it is determined to be a time that comessoon,sooninrespectofitsweightandworth.

When the timecomes, it andonly itwill appear thedue time.Toeverythingthereisaseason,andagreatpartofWisdomliesindiscerningit,anddoingthingsinthisseasonofit.AndwemaybesureinfiniteWisdomcannot miss the season, by mistaking it. "He is a rock, His work isperfect; for all His ways are judgment. "But whatever God does willabidethestrictestexamination,inthat,asallotherpoints."Iknowthatwhatever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be put to it, noranythingtakenfromit:andGoddoesitthatmenmayfearbeforeHim."Itistrue,manytimes,appeartousastheduetimeforliftingup,whichyet really is not so, because there are some circumstanceshid fromus,which render that seasonunfit for the thing.Thus,"Mytime is not yetcome,butyour time isalwaysready."Butwhenall the circumstances,alwaysforeknowntoGod,shallcometobeopenedout,andlaidtogetherbeforeus,weshallthenseetheliftingupiscomeinthetimemostforthehonor of God and our good, and that it would not have done so wellsooner.

Whenthetimecomesthatisreallytheduetime,thepropertimefortheliftingupachildofGodfromhishumblingcircumstances,itwillnotbeputoffonemomentlonger."Attheenditshallspeak;itwillsurelycome,itwill not tarry. "Though it tarry, it will not linger, nor be put off toanothertime.Oh,whatrestofheartwouldthefirmfaithofthisaffordus!There is not a child of God but would, with the utmost earnestness,protestagainstaliftingupbeforetheduetime,asagainstanunripefruitcasttohimbyanangryfather,whichwouldsethisteethonedge.Sinceit

is so, then, could we firmly believe this point, that it will undoubtedlycomeintheduetime,withoutlosingofaminute,itwouldaffordasoundrest.ItmustbesobecauseGodhassaidit;werethecaseeversohopeless,weremountainsofdifficultieslyinginthewayofit,attheappointedtimeit will blow (Hebrew),—ametaphor from the wind rising in a momentafteradeadcalm.

Thehumblingcircumstancesareordinarilycarriedtotheutmostpointofhopelessnessbeforetheliftingup.TheknifewasatIsaac'sthroatbeforethevoicewasheard."Forwewouldnot,brothers,haveyouignorantofour trouble which came to us in Asia; that we were pressed out ofmeasure,abovestrength, insomuch thatwedespairedevenof life;butwehad the sentence of death in ourselves, thatwe shouldnot trust inourselves,but inGod,whichraises thedead. "Thingssoonseemtousarrivedatthatpoint;suchisthehastinessofourspirits.Butthingsmayhavefartogodownafterwethinktheyareatthefootofthehill.Andwearealmostas littlecompetent judgesof thepointofhopelessness, asofthe due time of lifting up. But generally God carries His people'shumblingcircumstancesdownward,stilldownward,tilltheycometothatpoint.

InthisGodisholdingthesamecoursewhichHeheldinthecaseofthemanChrist, thebelovedpattern copied after in all thedispensations ofProvidencetowardstheChurchandeveryparticularbeliever.Hewasallalongamanofsorrows;asHistimewentonthewatersswelledmore,tillHewasbroughttothedustofdeath;thenHewasburied,andthegrave-stonesealed;whichdone,theworldthoughttheywerequitofHim,andHewouldtroublethemnomore.Buttheyquitemistookit;then,andnottill then,wastheduetimefor liftingHimup.And themost remarkableliftingsupthatHispeoplegetarefashionedafterthisgrandpattern.

AnotherendwhichProvidenceaimsat is to carry thebeliever cleanoffhisownandallcreatedfoundations,tofixhistrustandhopeintheLordalone."Thatweshouldnottrustinourselves,butinGodwhichraisesthedead "Thelife of aChristianhere is designed to be a life of faith; andthoughfaithmayactmoreeasilywhenithassomehelpfromsense,yetitcertainlyactsmostnoblywhen itacts inopposition tosense.Then is itpurefaith,whenitstandsonlyonitsownnativelegs,thepowerandword

ofGod."Andbeingnotweakinfaith,hedidnotconsiderHisownbodynowdead-neitheryetthedeadnessofSarah'swomb.HestaggerednotatthepromiseofGodthroughunbelief;butwasstronginfaith,givingglory to God. "And thus is must do when matters are carried to theutmostpointofhopelessness.

Again,duepreparationoftheheart,fortheliftingupoutofthehumblingcircumstancesgoesbeforetheduetimeofthatliftingup,accordingtothepromise. It is not so in every lifting up. The liftings up of commonprovidencesarenotsocriticallymanaged;menwillhavethem,willwaitfor them no longer, and God flings them in anger, before they areprepared for them. "I gave you a king inMy anger."They can by nomeansabidethetrial,andGodtakesthenoffasreprobatesilver,thatisnotabletoabideit.

Thisduepreparationconsistsinduehumiliation.Anditoftentakesmuchwork to bring this about, which is another point that we are veryincompetentjudgesof.WeshallhavethoughtJobwasbroughtverylowinhisspiritbytheprovidenceofGodbruisinghimontheonehand,andhisfriendsontheother,foralongtime.Yet,afterallthathehadenduredboth ways, God saw it necessary to speak to him Himself, for hishumiliation.BythatspeechofGodHimself,hewasbroughttohisknees.And we should have thought he was men sufficiently humbled, andperhapshethoughtsotoo.ButGodsawafurtherdegreeofhumiliationnecessary,andthereforebeginsagaintospeakforhishumiliation,whichatlengthlaidhiminthedust.Andwhenhewasthuspreparedforliftinguphegotit.

Therearesixthings,Iconceive,belongtothishumiliation,preparatorytoliftingup.

1.Adeepsenseofsinfulnessandunworthinessofbeingliftingupatall."Behold,Iamvile;whatshallIanswerYou?Iwilllaymyhandonmymouth"Peoplemay be long in humbling circumstances before they arebrought this length; even goodmen aremuch prejudiced in their ownbehalf, and may so far forget themselves as to think God deals Hisfavoursunequally,andismightysevereonthemmorethanothers.ElihumarksthisfaultinJob,underhishumblingcircumstances.AndIbelieve

itwillbefound,thereisreadilyagreaterkeennesstovindicateourownhonorfromtheimputationthehumblingcircumstancesseemtolayonitthan to vindicate the honor of God in the justice and equity of thedispensation.Theblindnessofanill-naturedworld,stillreadytosuspecttheworstcausesforhumblingcircumstances,asifthegreatestsufferersweresurelythegreatestsinners,givesahandleforthisbiasofthecorruptnature. But God is a jealous God, andwhenHe appears sufficiently tohumble, He will cause the matter of our honor to give way to thevindicationofHis.

2.A resignation to theDivinepleasureas to the timeof liftingup.Godgives the promise, leaving the time blank as to us. Our time is alwaysready, andwe rashly fill itupatourownhand.Goddoesnotkeepourtime,becauseitisnottheduetime.ThuswearereadytothinkHiswordfailswhereasitisbutourownrashconclusionfromitthatfails."Isaidinmyhaste,Allmenareliars."Severalofthesaintshavesufferedmuchbythismeans,andinthiswaylearnedtoletalonefillingupthatblank.ThefirstpromisewasthususedbybelievingEve.AnotherpromisewassobybelievingAbraham,afterabouttenyears'waiting.

IfthisisthecaseofanychildofGod,donotletthembediscouragedonitthinkingtheywereover-rashinapplyingthepromisetothemselves:theywereonlysoinapplyingthetimetothepromise;amistakethatsaintsinall ages havemade, which they repented, and saw the folly of, and letalonethatpointforthetimetocome;andthenthepromisewasfulfilledinitsownduetime.Lettheminsuchcircumstancesgoanddolikewise,leavingthetimeentirelytotheLord.

3.Anentire resignationas to thewayandmannerofbringing it about.Wearereadytodo,as to thewayofaccomplishingthepromise, justaswiththetimeofit,tosetaparticularwayfortheLord'sworkinginit;andifthatisnotkept,theproudheartisstumbled."ButNaamanwasangry,andhewentaway,andsaid,Behold,Ithoughthewillsurelycomeouttome,andstandandcallonthenameoftheLordhisGod,andstrikehishandovertheplace."ButtheLordwillhaveHispeoplebrokenofffromthat too, that they shall prescribe no way to Him, but leave it to Himentirely,asinthatcase,"HewentdownanddippedhimselfseventimesinJordan,accordingtothesayingofthemanofGod,andhewasclean.

"Thecompassofourknowledgeofwaysandmeansisverynarrow,as,ifoneisblockedup.Oftenwecannotseeanother;butourGodknowsmanywaysofrelief,whereweknowbutoneornoneatall,anditisveryusualfortheLordtobringtheliftingupofHispeopleinawaytheyhadnoviewto,afterrepeatingdisappointmentsfromthosequartersfromwhichtheyhadgreatexpectation.

4.Resignationas to thedegreeof the liftingup,yea,andas to theverybeing of it in time. The Lord will have His people weaned so, thathowever hastily they have sometimes been, that they behoved to be sosoonliftedup,andcouldnolongerbear,theyshallbebroughtatlengthtosetnotimeatall,butsubmittogotothegraveundertheirweight,ifitseem good in the Lord's eyes. In that case they will be brought to becontentwithanymeasureofitintime,withoutprescribinghowmuch."IfIshallfindfavorintheeyesoftheLord,Hewillbringmeagain-ButifHethussay,Ihavenodelightinyou;behold,hereIam,letHimdoasseemsgoodtoHim."

5. The continuing of praying and waiting on me Lord in the case."Praying always with an prayer and supplication in the Spirit, andwatching thereto with all perseverance." It is pride of heart, andunsubduednessofspiritthatmakespeoplegiveoverprayingandwaiting,becausetheirhumblingcircumstancesarelengthenedouttimeaftertime.Butduehumility,goingbeforetheliftingup,bringsmentothattempertopray,wait,andhangonresolutely,settingnotimeforthegivingitovertilltheliftingupcome,whetherintimeoreternity.

6. Mourning under mismanagements in the trial. "Therefore have IutteredthatIdidnotunderstandthingstoowonderfulforme,whichIdid not know. " The proud heart dwells and expatiates on the man'ssufferingsinthetrial,andcastsoutthefoldsofthetrialonthatside,andviews themagain and again.Butwhen the Spirit ofCod comesduly tohumble,inordertoliftingup,Hewillcausethemantopass,inasort,thesuffering side of the trial, and turn his eyes on his own conduct in it,ransack it, judge himself impartially, and condemnhimself, so that hismouthwillbestopped.Thisisthathumilitymatgoesbeforetheliftingupintime,inthewayofthepromise.

Weproceedtoconsidertheliftingupasbroughtaboutattheendoftime,intheotherworld.And,

1st.Awordastothenatureofthisliftingup.Concerningitweshallsaythesefacethings:

1.Thereisacertaintyofthisliftingup,inallcasesofthehumbledunderhumbling circumstances. Though one cannot in every casemake themsureofa liftingupintime,yettheymaybeassured,bethecasewhatitmay,theywill,withoutallperadventure,getaliftingupontheotherside."For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle weredissolved,wehavea building ofGod, anhousenotmadewith hands,eternal in the heavens. " Though God's humble children may bothbreakfastanddineonbreadofadversityandwaterofaffliction,theywillbe sure to sup sweetly andplentifully.And thebelieving expectation ofthelattermightservetoqualifytheformer,andmakethemeasyunderit.

2. It will be a perfect lifting up. Theywill be perfectly delivered out oftheirparticulartrialsandspecialfurnace,bewhatitwill,thatmadethemwearymanyaday.Lazaruswasthendeliveredfromhispovertyandsoresandlyingattherichman'sgate,andfullydelivered.Yea, theywillgetalifting up from all their humbling circumstances together. Allimperfections will then be at an end, inferiority in relations,contradictions,afflictions,uncertainty,andsin.Ifitwaslongincoming,therewillbeablessedmomentwhentheyshallgetalltogether.

3.Theywillnotonlyberaisedoutoftheirlowcondition,buttheywillbesetuponhigh;asJoseph,notonlybroughtoutofprison,butmaderuleroverthelandofEgypt.Andtheywillbeliftedupintoahighplace."Thebeggardied, andwas carriedby theangels intoAbraham 's bosom. "Nowtheyareatbestbut ina lowplaceonthisearth; theretheywillbeseated in the highest heavens. Often, in their humbling circumstances,they are obliged now to embrace dunghills; then they will be set withChristonHisthrone;"TohimthatovercomeswillIgranttositwithMeonMythrone."Thoughtheynowcleavetotheearth,andmensay,Bowdown,thatwemaypassoveryou,theywillthenbesettledintheheavenlymansions,abovethesun,moon,andstars.Theywillalsobeliftedupintoahighstateandcondition;astateofperfection.Outofalltheirtroubles

anduneasiness, theywill be set in a stateof rest; from theirmeanandinglorious condition, they will be advanced into a state of glory. Theirburdenedandsorrowfullifewillbesucceededwithafullnessofjoy;and,fortheirhumblingcircumstances,theywillbeclothedwitheternalgloryandhonor.

4. Itwillbea final liftingup,afterwhich therewillbenomorecastingdown forever.When we get a lifting up in time we are apt to imaginefondlyweareattheendofourtrials;butwesoonfindwearetoohastyinourconclusions,andthecloudreturns."InmyprosperityIsaid,Ishallnever be moved. You hid Your face, and I was troubled. " But thenindeedthetrialisquiteover,thefightisatanend,andthenisthetimeoftheretributionandtriumph.

5. Therewill not be the least remaining uneasiness from the humblingcircumstances, but, on the contrary, they will have a glorious anddesirable effect. I make no question but the saints will have theremembrance of the humbling circumstances they were under herebelow.Did the richman in hell remember his having five brothers onearth,howsumptuouslyhefared,howLazarussatathisgate;andcanwedoubtbutthesaintswillrememberperfectlytheirheavytrials?Butthentheywill remember them as waters that fail; as the man recovered tohealth remembers his tossings on the sick bed; and that is a way ofremembering that sweetens the present state of health beyond whatotherwise itwouldbe.Certainly the shoreof theRedSeawas theplacethat, of all places, was the fittest to help the Israelites to sing in thehighestkey.Andthehumblingcircumstancesofsaintsontheearthwillbeofthesameusetotheminheaven.

2ndly. A word to the due time of this lifting up. There is a particular,definitetimeforitineverysaint'scase,whichistheduetime,butitishidfromus.Wecanonlysayingeneral,

1.Thenistheduetimeforit,whenourworkwehavetodointhisworldisover.Godhasappointedtoeveryonehistask,fight,trial,andwork;and,tillthatisdone,weareinasortimmortal.Thatworkis,

Doingwork;worksettousbythegreatMaster,tobedoneforthehonor

ofGodand thegoodofour fellow-creatures.Wemustbe content tobedoingon,eveninourhumblingcircumstances,tillthatisdoneout.It isnottheduetimeforthatliftingup,tillweareattheendofthatwork,andsohaveservedourgeneration.Anditis,

Sufferingwork.Thereisacertainportionofsufferingthatisallottedforthemystical body; the Head has divided to the several members theirproportionsofit;anditisnottheduetimeforthatliftingup,tillwehaveexhaustedtheshareofitallottedtous.Paullookedonhislifeasagoingoninthat.

2.Whenthat liftingupcomesweshall see it iscomeexactly in theduetime;thatitwaswellitwasneithersoonernorlater;forthoughheavenisalways better than earth, and that it would be better for us, absolutelyspeaking, to be in heaven than on earth, yet certainly there is a timewhereitisbetterforthehonourofGodandHisservicethatweareontheearththaninheaven."Nevertheless,toabideinthefleshismoreneedfulforyou."Anditwillbenogriefofheart to themwhenthere, that theywere so long in their humbling circumstances, and were not broughtsooner.

Use1.Letnotthenthehumblecastawaytheirconfidence,whatevertheirhumblingcircumstancesare;letthemassurethemselvestherewillcomea lifting up to them at length; if not here, yet to be sure hereafter. Letthemkeepthisintheirview,andcomfortthemselveswithit,forGodhassaidit."Theneedyshallnotalwaysbeforgotten.''Ifthenightwereeversolong,themorningwillcomeatlength.

2. Let patience have her perfect work. The husbandman waits for thereturn of his seed, themerchant for the return of his ships, the store-masterforwhathecallsyear-time,whenhedrawsintheproduceofhisflocks.Allthesehavelongpatience,andwhyshouldnottheChristiantoohavepatience,andpatientlywaitforthetimeappointedforhisliftingup?

You have heard much of the Crook in the Lot; the excellency ofhumbleness of spirit in a low lot, beyondpride of spirit, though joinedwith a high one. You have been called to humble yourselves in yourhumblingcircumstances,andhavebeenassured in thatcaseofa lifting

up. To conclude: wemay assure ourselves, Godwill at length break inpieces theproud,be theyeversohigh:andHewill triumphantly liftupthehumble,betheyeversolow.

End.

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TheCrookintheLotbyThomasBoston,Copyright©2011

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