The Communicant's Companion
the removal of those by death that were very dear? Whatever it is, spread it before the Lord, as Hezekiah did Rabshakeh's letter, and allow no complaint that is not fit to be spread before him. When God came to renew his covenant with Abraham, and to tell him that he was his shield, and his exceeding great reward, Abraham presently puts in a remonstrance of his grievance: "Behold, to me thou hast given no seed." Hannah did so, when she came up to worship. And we also must bring with us such a particular sense of our afflictions, as will enable us to receive and apply the comforts here offered to us, and no more. Holy David observed how his house was with God, and that it was not made to grow, when he was taking the comfort of this, that, however it were, "God had made with him an everlasting covenant."
VI. Inquire, What shall I resolve to do?—This question is equivalent to that of Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" We come to this ordinance solemnly to engage ourselves against all sin, and to all duty; and therefore it is good to consider what that sin is which we should particularly covenant against, and what that duty to which we should most expressly oblige ourselves. Though the general covenant suffice to bind conscience, yet a particular article will be of use to remind conscience, and to make the general engagement the more effectual. It is good to be particular in our pious resolutions, as well as in our penitent reflections.
For our assistance herein let us inquire,
1. Wherein have we hitherto missed it most?—Where we have found ourselves most assaulted by the subtlety of the tempter, and most exposed by our own weakness, there we should strengthen our defense and double our guard. What is the sin that has most easily beset me—the wellcircumstanced sin? That is it which I must more particularly resolve against