NOTES UPON PART II. 209 46 me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me: and this enquiry will often be answered by the discourse of skilful ministers, and the faithful admonitions of our fellow christians. When hopeful professors are greatly cast down, it is not wise to administer cordials to them immediately: but to propose such questions, as may lead to a discovery of the concealed cause of their distress. Thus it will often be found, that they have been tampering with forbidden fruit; which discovery may tend to their humiliation, and produce a like effect on those who have neglected their duty, by suffering them to sin without warning or reproof. 73..22. Ex carne...To support the allegory, the author gives the physician's prescription in Latin; but he adds in the margin, with admirable modesty, The Latin I borrow.'"Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of "sins," or true peace of conscience; "the blood of bulls "and goats cannot take away sin:" nothing therefore, can bring health and cure, in this case, but the body and blood of CHRIST,' as broken and shed for our sins. These blessings are made ours by faith exercised on the promises of Go D; the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, which seasons our words and actions as with salt, always connects with living faith; and godly sorrow, working genuine repentance, is renewed every time we look to the Saviour, whom we have pierced by our recent offences, and of whom we again seek forgiveness. The natural pride, stoutness, and unbe lief of our hearts, render us very reluctant to this humiliating method of recovering our peace and spiritual strength; and this often prolongs our distress: yet nothing yields more unalloyed comfort, than thus abasing ourselves before GOD, and relying on his mercy through the atonement and media. tion of his beloved Son. 75.7. No other way...This hint should be carefully noted. Numbers abuse the doctrine of free salvation, by the merits and redemption of CHRIST, and presume on forgiveness, when they are destitute of genuine repentance, and give 210 NOTES UPON PART II. no evidence of sanctification. But this most efficacious medicine in that case will do no good;' or rather the perverse abuse of it will increase their guilt, and tend to harden their hearts in sin. 77..26. Petition...This may be applied to the case of persons who are unavoidably removed from those places, where they first made an open profession of the faith. The vigilant pastor, who can no longer watch for their souls, will earnestly recommend them to the care of some other minister, and join with them in prayer, that the same faithful services, or better, may be rendered them by some other servant of their common Lord. 78..15. Opened...The nature of the first transgression; the ambiguous insinuations by which the tempter seduced EVE, and by her ADAM; the motives from which they ate the forbidden fruit; and the dreadful disappointment that followed; with all the aggravations and consequences of that most prolific offence, which contained in it, as in miniature and embrio, all future sins; are very instructive and affecting to the pious mind. For the enemy still proceeds against us, according to the same general plan; suggesting hard thoughts of GOD, doubts about the restrictions and threatenings of his word, proud desires of independence or useless knowledge, hankerings after forbidden indulgence, and hopes of enjoying the pleasures of sin, without feeling the punishment denounced against transgressors. ..18. Ladder...CHRIST, in his person and offices, is the medium of communication between heaven and earth, between GOD and man: by him sinners come to GOD with acceptance, and GOD dwells with them and is glorified; through him they present their worship and services, and receive supplies of all heavenly blessings; and for his sake angels delight in "ministering to the heirs of salvation," as instruments of his providential care over them and all their concerns. This was represented or typified by JACOB'S ladder. The hope of glory, or of the fulfilment of all GOD's NOTES UPON PART II. 211 promises to our souls, is the golden or precious anchor, by which we must be kept stedfast in the faith, and encouraged to abide in our proper station, amidst the storms of temptation, affliction, and persecution. This it will certainly effect; provided it be genuine and living, grounded on the word of GOD, springing from faith in his Son, warranted by the experience of his grace, accompanied by prevailing desires of a holy felicity, in the presence, favour, and service of the LORD. 82..25. Slips...As the author here alluded to some particulars in his own experience, a more explicit account of these slips would have been very interesting and instructive; but as it is, we can only conjecture his meaning.-He probably alluded to some erroneous conclusions, which he had formed, concerning the measure of the LORD's dealings with his people, and the nature of their situation in this world.-Having therefore obtained peace and comfort, and enjoyed sweet satisfaction in communion with his brethren, he expected the continuance of this happy frame, and considered it as the evidence of his acceptance: so that afflictions and humiliating discoveries of the evils of his heart, by interrupting his comforts, induced him to conclude that his past experience was a delusion, and that GOD was become his enemy and this unscriptural way of judging concerning his state seems to have made way for the dark temptations that followed.Were it not for such mistakes, humiliating dispensations and experiences would not have any necessary connection with terror; and they would give less occasion to temptations, than prosperity and comfort do: while a lowly condition is exempted from the numberless snares, incumbrances, and anxieties of a more exalted station; and humility is the parent of patience, meekness, and contentment, thankfulness, and every holy disposition that can enrich and adorn the soul. A far greater proportion of believers are found in inferior circumstances, than among the wealthy; and they who are kept low commonly thrive the best, and are most simple and 212 NOTES UPON PART II. diligent. Without ever. 83.30. Summer time...The consolations of humble believers, even in their lowest abasement, when favoured by the exhilerating and fertilizing beams of the Sun of Righteousness, are represented under this emblem. The lillies are the harmless and holy disciples of CHRIST who adorn a poor and obscure condition of life; and who are an ornament to religion, being "clothed with humility." Many grow rich in faith and good works in retirement and obscurity; and become averse, even at the call of duty, to emerge from it, lest any advancement should lead them into temptation, stir up their pride, or expose them to envy and contention, Perhaps the Shepherd's boy may refer to the obscure but quiet station of some pastors over small congregations, who live almost unknown to their brethren, but are in a measure useful, and very comfortable. 85..5. Country house...Our Lord chose retirement, poverty, and an obscure station, as the rest and delight of his own mind; as remote from bustle and contention, and favourable to contemplation and devotion: so that his appearance in a public character, and in crowded scenes, for the good of mankind and the glory of the Father, was a part of his self-denial, in which he pleased not himself."-Indeed there is a peculiar congeniality between a lowly mind, and a lowly condition and as much violence is done to the inclinations of the humble, when they are rendered conspicuous and advanced to high stations, as to those of the haughty, when they are thrust down into obscurity and neglect. Other men seem to be banished into this valley; but the poor in spirit love to walk in it: and, though some believers here struggle with distressing temptations, others in passing through it enjoy much communion with GOD. 86.,3. Beyond...When consolations and privileges betray 1 NOTES UPON PART II. 213 us into forgetfulness of our entire unworthiness of such special favours, humiliating dispensations will commonly ensue: and these sometimes reciprocally excite murmurs and forgetfulness of past mercies. Thus SATAN gains an opportunity of assaulting the soul with dreadful temptations: and, while at one moment hard thoughts of GOD, or doubts concerning the truth of his word, are suggested to our minds, at the next we may be affrighted by our own dreadful rebellion and ingratitude, prompted to condemn ourselves as hypocrites, and almost driven to despair. 87.. 12. And look...We ought carefully to study the records left us of the temptations, conflicts, faith, patience, and victories of former believers: we should mark well, what wounds they received, and by what misconduct they were occasioned, that we may watch and pray lest we fall in like manner: we ought carefully to observe, how they successfully repelled the various assaults of the tempter, that we may learn to resist him, stedfaft in the faith: and in general, their triumphs should animate us, to "put on," and keep on," the whole armour of GOD, that we may be "enabled to withstand in the evil day."-On the other hand, such as have been rendered victorious should readily speak of their experiences among those that fear GOD, that they may be cautioned, instructed, and encouraged by their example. 88..10. Shadow...The meaning of this valley hath been stated in the notes on the first part of the work; and the interpretation there given is here confirmed. As it relates chiefly to the influence, which " the prince of the power "of the air" possesses over the imagination; it must vary exceedingly, according to the constitution, animal spirits, health, education, and the strength of mind or judgement of different persons.-They, who are happily incapable of understanding either the allegory or the explanation, should beware of despising or condemning such, as have been thus harassed. And, on the other hand, these should take |