An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Hence observe.

First, Many cry and complain in affliction, but look not to God in affliction.

(Deut. 32.18.) Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. Which as it is often verified in times of peace, plenty, and prosperity, so not seldom in times of trouble, pressure, and affliction. Yea, there are some who cry and complain in affliction, yet turn away from God in affliction, (Hos. 7.14.) They have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds; they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. These are so far from seeking God indeed, or saying, Where is our maker, with their heart, that they rebel against him, while they would be relieved and fed by him. How frequently, even at this day, do some men ⟨p. 67⟩storm, and fret, and rage, little minding God in their afflictions, though formally or vocally calling on him. 'Tis easy to complain, but hard to pray in a day of trouble. The Jews are reproved for their regardlessness of God, while they made great preparations in a time of danger and war, or of a feared siege, (Isa. 22.8, &c.) Thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forrest; ye have seen also the breaches of the City of David, that they are many, &c. And the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall: Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool, &c. Here were politic warlike preparations, yea God was little thought upon in all this; as it followeth, (v. 11.) But ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. 'Tis thus with the most of men; when outward misery comes upon them, what crying? what working is there? yet little returning to God, little turning into their own hearts.