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2.

3.

That can make us contented, Tim. vi. 6.

That can fanctify Poverty, Jam. ii. 5.

2. Vox oppreffi.

1. It is only God that can turn the Oppeffor's Heart, Gen. xxxix. 21.

2.

Tie his Hands, Pfa. cxix. 122. ̧.

3. Vox tentati.

1. It is he alone that permits Satan to tempt us, Job i, 6.

2.

3.

4.

That enables us to withstand the Temptations, Fam. iv. 7.

And to overcome them, 1 Cor. x. 13. And make us better by them, 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9.

4. Vox agroti.

I. It is he alone that can enable us to be

2.

3.

tient under Sickness.

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Directs us to proper means for Recovery, 2 Chron xvi. 12.

That can blefs thofe means, Mark viii. 23. 2 Kings v. 14.

Vox moribundi. He alone that can supply

us with what we want.

1. Pardon our Sins, Exod. xxxiv. 6.

2. Accept our Persons, Rom. viii. 33. 3. Support our Hearts.

4. With-hold the Tempter.

5. Fit us for himself.

6. Deliver us from the Pangs of Death, by admitting us into the Joys of Life.

7. Make us happy after Death.

USES.

1. Expect Troubles.

2. Prepare for them.

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3. Look

3. Look up to GOD only for Deliverance from them, 2 Chron. xx. 12. Pfa. xlvi. 1,2. 4. Make fure of Help from GOD, especially in the general Trouble of Death.

1. By repenting.

2. By getting an Intereft in Chrift.

3. By being fanctifyed by the Spirit, Heb. xii.

14.

PSAL. CXXIV. 1, 2, 3.

Ver. 1. If it had not been the Lord · who was on our fide, now may Ifrael Say:

Ver. 2. If it had not been the Lord who was on our fide, when Men rose up against us;

Ver. 3. Then they had fwallowed us up quick, when their Wrath was kindled against us.

OBSERVATION.

OUR

UR Deliverance from Enemies must be afcribed wholly to GOD.

I. Man, whilft GOD was his Friend, had no Enemies that could hurt him.

II. Being fallen, hath,

1. Spiritual.

1. The Devil, wo i Pet. v. 8.
2. The World.

3. Him

3. Himself, Hof. xiii. 9.

2. Temporal Men.

III. It is GOD alone that preferves or delivers us from our Enemies.

1. Spiritual.

1. Illuminating our Minds to fee,

1. That they are Enemies,
2. And dangerous Enemies.

2. Sanctifying our Wills.

3. Bringing our Affections into Order. 2. Temporal.

1. God alone hath Power in himself, Gen. xvii. I.

2. All Creatures derive their Power from him, Acts xvii. 28.

3. Hence it is he alone that can limit the Power of our Enemies, Pfa. lxxvi. 10. 4. And that can give us Power against them, 2 Chron. X. 12.

As in this Cause,

1. Whatsoever Prudence there is in our Commanders, Fam. i. 17.

2. Strength in our Ships,

3. Courage in our Soldiers, is only from God, Pfa. cxliv. 1.

4. And whatsoever Success these have, is also from him, Pfa.xxi. 31.

USE. Be thankful to GOD.

So as,

1. To acknowledge this Deliverance came

not from our felves.

2. That we did not deferve it.

3. And therefore afcribe all to GOD.

1. His Wifdom.

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2. His

2. His Power.

3. His Mercy, Lam. iii. 22.
This our Thankfulness we should express,
1. In our Hearts.

2. With our Lips.

3. In our Lives.

1. By rejoicing in him.

2. By trufting on him for the future.

PSAL. cxlv. 8.

And of great mercy.

OD is a GOD of great Mercy.

GOD

I. What is the Mercy of GOD? It is an effential Attribute of GOD, whereby he is ready of himself to fuccour fuch as be in Mifery. For by Mercy in Scripture is fignifyed,

1. The Readiness of the Mind to fuccour, Pfa lxxxvi.5, 15. and ciii. 8.

2. The iffue and Effect of it, Exod. xxxiii, 19. Rom. ix. 15.

II. To whom is he fo merciful?

1. To all with a common Mercy, Mat. v. 45. Luke vi: 36. Pfa. cxlvii.

2. To whom he pleases with a special Mercy,
Eph. ii. 4.

III. Wherein doth his Mercy appear
1. In revealing his Will to us.
2. In continuing our Lives to us.

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3. In his pathetical Expoftulations with us,
Hof. xi. 8. Ezek. xxxiii. II.

4. In vouchfafing his Ordinances to us.
5. In his Judgments upon us.

6. In fending his Son to die for us.

USES.

I Reproof to hardned Sinners, that GOD should be merciful to them, and they not dutiful

to him.

II. Confolation to Bleffed Saints.

1. Are your Sins many? GOD is a GOD of many Mercies, Pfa. ciii. 8. Ifa.lv.7.

2. Are your Sins great?

1. His Mercy is greater.

2. Chrift's Merits are greater,

III. Caution. Abuse not the Doctrine of GOD's Mercy to the Increase of your Sins, Pf. ciii. 11. Jud. 4.

IV. Lamentation. Is GOD a GOD of great Mercy? Then furely we must needs be a People of great Mifery.

V. Exhortation,

1. Praise him, Pfa. ciii. 2, 3, 4.

2. Love GOD, Pfa. cxvi. 1. Luke vii.47. 3. Put your Truft in him.

4. Aferibe all you have or hope for to him. 5. Live in the Imitation of him, Luke vi. 36. Mat. xviii. 32, 33.

6. Fear and ferve him, Pfa. cxxx. 4. As we expect Mercy from him, we must perform our Duty to him.

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