Moses his prayer. Or, An exposition of the nintieth Psalme.: In which is set forth, the frailty and misery of mankind; most needfull for these times. Wherein [brace] 1. The sum and scope. 2. The doctrines. 3. The reasons. 4. The uses of most texts are observed. / By Samuel Smith, minister of the Gospel, author of Davids repentance and the Great assize, and yet living.

Comfort us.

THe Lord before had exercised this people with pressing sorrowes, and sore afflictions, both in Aegypt a long time, and after that in the wildernesse; and now they beg for comfort. [Doct. 2]

Hence we may observe, what is the outward estate of Gods children in this life; * 1.1 it is subject to such alterati∣ons and changes, that they are some∣times up, and sometimes down, some∣times full of sorrow, at another time filled with comfort. Here Moses and the people of God pray for comfort, being for the present comfortlesse, per∣plexed, and much distressed; the Lord trieth, humbleth, and proveth this people here in the Wildernesse, That he might do them good at their latter end. * 1.2 look we upon the estate of the Church in generall, and upon the particular members of the same, and we shall finde, that our condition here is like the daies of the year, sometimes winter, sometimes summer, sometimes fair, sometimes foul.

What a long night of affliction did this Church and people of God endure in Aegypt for the space of four hun∣dred and thirty years; yet, at the last, the Lord raised them up saviours, Mo∣ses and Aaron, by whom he brought deliverance unto his people. What a condition was the Church in in He∣sters time, when all the Jewes were appointed as sheep to the slaughter; yet God laughed the counsell of Ha∣man to scorn, delivered his people, and brought ruine and destruction to their enemies.

What a condition was the Church in, in Jezebels time, that slew the prophets of the Lord, insomuch that Elias thought himselfe alone; yet, what a suddain alteration was there, when Eliah slew the Prophets of Baal, and restored religion again.

How was the Church of God in Christs time pestered by the High Priests, who had given commission un∣to Saul, to binde, and to deliver bound at Jerusalem, all that made profession of Christ; yet, at another time, had the Churches peace, and multiplyed.

So changable hath the estate and con∣dition of the Church of God been in all ages and times of it.

And if we look into particular ex∣amples, we shall also finde it true, that the estate and condition of the best of Gods children hath been subject to diversities of alterations and changes. Joseph, one while hated of his bre∣thren, at another time advanced under Pharaoh; at one time cast into Prison, at another time made ruler over the Princes. Jacob, one while wrestling with the Angell, at another time go∣ing away with the blessing. David, one while persecuted by Saul, at an∣other time swaying the Scepter.

Job, * 1.3 at one time plundered out of all, at another time as wealthy as be∣fore. Thus God is pleased in his wise dispensation to dispose of his people, that many times we are no sooner rid of one misery, but there comes another in its room, yet, at last the Lord gives peace.

And who doth not finde this true by experience in himselfe, sometimes to feel much joy and comfort in himselfe;

yet, by and by, either by some sin that they have fallen into, or by some cloud of affliction or other, that joy is eclip∣sed, and to be lost for a time.

As we see the trees in winter seem to be dead; as though they would ne∣ver grow again; yet, when the spring comes, the heat of the sun revives them again. So many a dear child of God, either by some sin committed, for want of keeping a stricter watch, and wal∣king more closely with God; or, by some storm and tempest of affliction and temptation, seemes even to be void of comfort for a time; yet, when this winter and storm is over, the pre∣sence of Gods love and favour cheers them up, quickens their hearts, * 1.4 and puts into them comfort and spirituall joy again.

[Quest.] But what may be the Reasons why the Lord should thus be pleased to ex∣ercise his children in this life with such alterations and changes?

[Ans.] I answer.

[Reas. 1] One reason may be from our selves. There is such a world of corruption that lies lurking in our hearts, that al∣beit

we have tasted and seen how sweet the Lord is, which should teach us for ever to walk both humbly and holily before him, and to be afraid to of∣fend him, and provoke him, lest his loving kindnesse should be turned into frowns and displeasure. Yet alas, we are many times, what with the temp∣tations of Sathan, and our own in∣ward corruptions, so hurried about, that we are often drawn to dishonour God, and fall into those sins that turn his favours into frowns, as it was the case of David, after he had sinned so hainously, he lost much of that com∣fort he had formerly felt, and is fain to beg hard, that God would restore him again to the joy of his salvation. * 1.5

Secondly, [Reas 2] the miseries and afflicti∣ons of Gods children serve, to set out the abundant riches of Gods mercy. The more desperate the cure is, the more obliged is the Patient to the Physitian. And when the Lord shall raise us up from the depth of misery, whereinto our sins have plunged us, and give us comfort and deliverance; this works abundance of love and

thankfulnesse. Mary loved much, be∣cause many sins were forgiven her. And David can say, I Love the Lord be∣canse hee hath heard the voice of my weeping.

And thirdly, herein and hereby, [Reas. 3] the Lord will shew the priviledges of his people, above all wicked and ungodly ones; his Children either in darknesse they see light, or after darknesse they shall see light. Whereas of the wicked it is found true, They cryed, * 1.6 but there was none to save them, even to the Lord, but he answered them not.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The out∣ward e∣state of Gods children subject to alterati∣ons and changes.
• * 1.2

  Deut. 8.16.
• * 1.3

  Job 42.
• * 1.4

  Ps. 6.38.
• * 1.5

  Ps. 51.12.
• * 1.6

  Ps. 18.41