CIV.

SERM. text follows upon the former; even that, seeing " the Lord reigneth," therefore the "earth" may well " rejoice, and the multitudes of the isles be glad thereof;" or that it is matter of great joy to all the inhabitants of this lower world that the Lord reigneth. For here, by the "earth, and the multitude of the isles," we are to understand all mankind living here below, whether upon the continent or main land, here called the earth, or in any of the many islands that are in the seas; wheresoever they live, whatsoever kindred or family they are of, whatsoever state or condition they are in, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, rich or poor, male or female, they have all cause to "rejoice and be glad, that the Lord reigneth." It is true, at that time the Jews were His peculiar people, and therefore He reigned over them in a peculiar manner: but the royal prophet in this place takes no notice of that, but speaks only of that universal authority which He exerciseth over the whole world, wherein all mankind are equally concerned, as being all equally made and maintained by Him, and also redeemed by the blood of His Gal. 3. 28. only-begotten Son, in " Whom," as the Apostle speaks, "all are one," and so are equally interested in the mercifulness, as well as in the justice of His government. And, indeed, the Psalmist here seems to have a particular respect to this, as, without which, the inhabitants of the earth would have no more cause to rejoice that "the Lord reigneth" than the devils in Hell have, who can never hope for any mercy at His hands; forasmuch as Christ took not on Him the nature of Angels, but the seed of Abraham. And that seems to be the reason that the Psalmist mentions only the earth, and the isles belonging to it, not those regions of darkness which we call Hell; the inhabitants whereof have no cause to rejoice, but rather to be troubled, as they doubtless are, that "the Lord reigneth," by reason of that justice and severity He continually executeth upon them for their rebellions against Him. But as for mankind, who inhabit the earth, and the isles about it, it must be matter of unspeakJohn 3. 16. able joy to them that He reigns Who" so loved them, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever of them believeth in Him, might not perish, but have everlasting Rom. 8. 32. life." For, as the Apostle rightly argues, " He that spared

not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" And seeing He, Who is thus infinitely kind and merciful to mankind, reigns over all the whole world, well might the Psalmist say, "Let the earth rejoice, let the multitudes of the isles be glad thereof."

And certainly nothing in the world can raise up our souls to so high a pitch of joy and comfort as a firm belief and due consideration of this great truth, that "the Lord reigneth:" as we may easily perceive, if we do but consider, that our souls being of a pure and spiritual nature, they are apt of themselves to be cheerful and pleasant, singing, and praising, and rejoicing in Him that made them; and would always be so if they were not hindered and diverted by false ideas and representations of external objects, which the serious consideration of this great truth would either remove or rectify. There are two things especially that deprive the soul of true joy and comfort, and make it often sad and disconsolate; and they are, the apprehension of some future danger, and the sense of some present trouble; both which will be corrected or dispersed by this one consideration duly weighed.

First, therefore, we are apt to be affrighted and cast down at the apprehension of some imminent danger, or some great affliction or calamity that we think ready to fall upon us. If we apprehend any potent and malicious enemies upon earth, striving all they can to undermine and ruin us; this puts us into such frights and fears, that we can take no comfort in our very friends, but are apt to say with David,

I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." If we 1 Sam.27.1. apprehend any great revolutions in the Church or State we live in, that are likely to turn all things upside down, this puts us also into such confusion and disorder as leaves no room for joy or satisfaction in our own private enjoyments. If we apprehend any great loss in our estates, or any likelihood that we may be reduced to want and penury, this suppresseth our spirits so that we can take no pleasure in what we still possess, nor in the hopes we have that it will be continued to us. If we apprehend the powers of Hell let loose upon us, and Satan standing at our right hand ready

CIV.

SERM. to devour us, this disquiets and disturbs our minds so that all things seem black and melancholy about us. If we apprehend any dangerous distemper seizing upon us, and threatening to carry us into the other world, this deprives us of all manner of comfort, and makes us spend the residue of our days in grief and sadness; yea, in horror and confusion of mind.

But now a constant belief and persuasion that "the Lord reigneth" will rectify these, and such like false apprehensions of things, and so prevent our being troubled or disquieted about them. For what if we have never so many, and so powerful enemies? What if they conspire together to take away your good name, your estates, your liberty, or your life itself? remember, "the Lord reigneth, and if He be for you, who can be against you?" If He protect you, what harm can fall upon you? He hath the hearts of all your enemies in His hand, and their designs always under His eye, and can wind and turn them as He sees good; He can abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices against you; He can prevent the mischief they hatch against you, or alter the nature of it so as to make it really good and profitable for you; He can tie up their hands that they cannot act, their tongues that they cannot speak, yea, their very hearts, that they cannot so much as imagine any evil against you: for He reigns over the whole world, and therefore over them, so that they can neither act, nor speak, nor think, nor will, nor love, nor hate, nor stir one jot without Him. This is that which made David rejoice Ps. 27. 1-3, and triumph in the midst of all his enemies: "The Lord,"

saith he," is my Light and my Salvation; whom then should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, Ps. 46. 1-3. in this will I be confident." "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and are troubled; though the moun

11.

tains shake with the swelling thereof." "In God will I Ps. 56. 10, praise His Word, in the Lord will I praise His Word. In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid what man can do unto me:" as if he had said in short, "The Lord reigneth;" therefore I will not fear any mortal men, but rejoice and be glad in Him continually.

And what if storms and tempests should be even raised against the Church, as they lately were, threatening its ruin and destruction? What need we fear, seeing "He reigneth," Who hath built it upon a rock, and promised that "the gates of Hell should not prevail against it?" [Matt. 16. 18.] What then "if the Heathen rage, and the people imagine Ps. 2. 1, 4. a vain thing? He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh them to scorn, the Lord shall have them in derision." And what if a dark cloud, full of vengeance and fury, hang over the nation or city where we dwell? And what if it should seem ready every moment to empty itself upon us? What need we regard that, when "the Lord reigneth, Who holdeth all the clouds in a balance, and can disperse them with the breath of His nostrils," or send them where He pleaseth? "Who stilleth the raging of the sea, and the noise of His Ps. 65. 7. waves, and the madness of the people." Who can bring light out of darkness, good out of evil, order out of confusion, and hath promised to do so for His Own people.

But some perhaps may not be concerned so much for the public, as for their own private affairs, being apprehensive of a great decay in their trade, disappointments in their hopes, and losses in their estates, whereby they may be brought into extreme poverty. But why should any one fear that? "The Lord reigneth, Who giveth fodder to the Ps. 147. 9. cattle, and feedeth the young ravens that call upon Him." "Behold then the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither Matt. 6. 26. do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them: and are not ye much better than they?" Behold, what care He takes of the whole creation! How every thing subsists in Him, and by Him! How constantly He measures out to every one such a proportion of temporal blessings as He knows to be best for them! Why then should you fear, lest you should be exempted from that

D

18.

CIV.

SERM. general provision He makes for all His creatures? Why rather do ye not rejoice that "the Lord reigneth," and say, Hab. 3. 17, and sing continually with the Prophet, "Although the figtree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my Salvation."

But there are others to whom all these temporal troubles seem, as they are, even as nothing, in comparison of the great danger their souls are in, especially from that subtle, inveterate, and implacable enemy of mankind, the Devil, 1 Pet. 5. 8. "who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

And it cannot be denied, but that his cunning is as great as his power, and his malice as either, so that he takes, or makes occasion continually to ensnare and destroy men. But what then? It is not He, but the Lord that reigneth, and that reigneth over him, as well as over any of His other creatures: yea, and keeps him perpetually in chains and fetters, that he cannot move a foot or hand, until he hath first obtained leave of the Lord of Hosts; as we see not only in Job, but also in that remarkable history in the Mark 5. 13. Gospel, where a whole legion of devils were forced to come

out of a man at Christ's command, and could not so much as enter into swine till He had given them leave to do it. What then, if all the devils in Hell should set themselves against one man, and employ all their agents upon earth, as witches, and wizards, and such like wretched creatures, to destroy or hurt him? They may as well undertake to dissolve the whole creation, as do him the least mischief imaginable, without God's permission: as Balaam found by Numb. 23. experience, and therefore said, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel." No, if a man live in the true faith and fear of God, the Devil may grin at him, and shew his teeth, but can do him no more hurt than a dog doth to the moon, when he barks at it: for such an one lives on high, far above the Devil's reach, under the immediate protection of Him

23.