A practical exposition on the 130th Psalm

2. As it is opposed unto Haste, so it is unto tumultuating thoughts, and vexatious disquietments; the soul is silent, Psal. 39. 9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. He redoubles the expression, whereby he sets out his endeavour to quiet and still his soul in the Will of God. In the condition discoursed of, the soul is apt to have many tumultuating thoughts, or a multitude of perplexing thoughts of no use or advantage unto it. How they are to be watched against and rejected, was before declared in our General Rules. This Quietness in waiting will prevent them. And this is the first thing in the duty prescribed.

Secondly, Diligence, in Opposition unto spiritual sloth, is included in it also. Diligence is the activity of the mind in the regular use of means, for the pursuit of any end proposed. The End aimed at by the soul, is a comforting refreshing interest in that forgiveness that is with God. For the attaining hereof, there are sundry means instituted and blessed of God. A neglect of them through regardlessness or sloth, will certainly disappoint the soul from attaining that end. It is confessedly so in things natural. He that soweth not, must not think to reap; he that clotheth not himself will not be warm; nor he enjoy health, who neglects the means of it. Men understand this as ⟨p. 367⟩to their outward concerns. And although they have a due respect unto the blessing of God, yet they expect not to be rich without industry in their ways. It is so also in things spiritual. God hath appointed one thing to be the means of obtaining another; in the use of them doth he bless us, and from the use of them doth his Glory arise, because they are his own appointments. And this diligence wholly respecteth practice, or the regular use of means. A man is said to be diligent in business, to have a diligent hand; though it be an Affection of the mind, yet it simply respects Practice and Operation. This diligence in his waiting David expresseth, Psal. 40. 1