An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, This consideration may greatly calm and compose our spirits, If we ¹sensibly affect our selves with what we have deserved. All-impatience and turbulency of heart ariseth, because we are not throughly humbled under our own guilt and unworthiness; for if this were taken notice of, we would wonder, why dogs should have children's bread, why we should have the least drop of mercy, who deserve the deluge of Gods wrath. Doest thou at any time find repinings and frettings of heart within thee? Do thou presently possess thy soul with thy wretchedness and unworthiness: Say, Who am I Lord, that it is no worse? This is not hell, nor everlasting damnation that I am in, and yet I have a thousand times over deserved that. It was this that quieted David's heart under that sour affliction he conflicted with, when Absalom had made such a strong conspiracy against him, 2 Sam. 16. 11. when Shimei cursed him with such a grievous curse, that Abishai had no patience to bear it, Why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King (saith he) let me go and take off his head? Who but a David would have been avenged? But what tameth Davids heart? Let him alone, let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him. David knew that it was for his sins that Absalom rebelled, Shimei cursed; and therefore he dare not grudge nor mutter. So 2 Sam. 15. 26. while David is compassed about with the same difficulties; see how soft his heart is, ready to receive any impression; But if he say, I have no delight in him, behold here I am, let him do to me, as seemeth good to him. Thus David's heart is like the vessel cast into the fire, it may be put into any form, or fashion; and what is the reason of it? A true humbled spirit under all its unworthiness. Thus the Church Lament. 3. 22. though she be in such desolations, that she calls to all the passengers who come by, to see if there were ever any affliction like hers, yet (saith she) It is of ⟨p. 237⟩the Lords mercies that we are not consumed: As wretched as we are, we might be worse. It is the Lords mercy that we do but taste of his cup of wrath, that we do not drink up the dregs. Here is a good pattern to write after. Let thy troubles and exercises be like Nebuchadnezzars furnace, heated seven times hotter then ordinary, yet thou wilt have cause to say, if thou regard thy own guilt, It is of the Lords mercy, that it is no worse. And vers. 39.