A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

¹Take heed of spending time in complaints, when vigorous actings of Grace are your Duty. Fruitless and heartless complaints, bemoanings of themselves and their condition is the substance of the profession that some make. If they can object against themselves, and form Complaints out of their conditions, they suppose they have done their duty. I have known some who have spent a good part of their time in going up and down from one to another with their objections and complaints. These things are contrary to the life of Faith. It is good indeed in our spiritual distresses to apply our selves unto them who are furnished with the tongue of the learned, to know how to speak a word in season unto him that is weary. But for persons to fill their minds and imaginations with their own Objections and Complaints, not endeavouring to mix the words that are spoken for their relief and direction, with faith, but going on still in their own way, this is of no use or advantage. And yet some, I fear, may please themselves in such a course, as if it had somewhat of Eminency in Religion in it. Others, it may be, drive the same trade in their Thoughts, although they make not outwardly such Complaints. They are conversant for the most part with heartless despondings. And in some they are multiplied by their natural Constitutions or Distempers. Examples of this kind occur unto us every day. Now what is the Advantage of these things? what did Zion get when she cried, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me? or Jacob, when he said, My way is hid from the Lord, and my Judgement is passed over from my God? Doubtless they did but prejudice themselves. How doth David rouse up himself when he found his mind inclinable unto such a frame? For having said, Why dost thou cast me off O God? why go I mourning because of the oppression of mine enemy? He quickly rebukes and recollects himself, saying, Why art thou cast down O my Soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God, Psal. 4. 2, 5. We must say then unto such heartless Complainers, as God did to Joshua, Get you up, why lye you thus upon your faces? ⟨p. 310⟩Do you think to mend your condition by wishing it better, or complaining it is so bad? are your complaints of want of an Interest in forgiveness, a sanctified means to obtain it? not at all! you will not deal so with your selves in things natural or civil.