Daily, by my carking cares, how do I discredit these soul-comforting, soul composing truths, that God cares for His people, that their concerns are His, and that He keeps them as the apple of His eye? Did a kind-hearted Samson go along the way with me, and take my burden from my back, and bear it on his robust shoulders, would it not be impertinent to run up every now and then to bear up the burden, though forbidden, and convinced that he could carry me above my burden? Just so, God has commanded me to cast all my care on Him, with this sweet assurance, that He careth for me. And He has no more need of my care joined to His care, than He has need of my assistance to support the pillars of the world. Though rolling my burden on the Lord does not supersede a moderate care, and the use of lawful means, yet I am so to cast my cares on God, as if I had no more concern with them. O how unlike a child of God, an expectant of glory, to have so many carking cares, and disquieting forebodings, about the things of time, under the pleasing hopes of a happy eternity! My cares may multiply, my concerns may grow, but can never be too many for God. He has borne the cares of His Church and people through many generations, and well may I cast all mine on Him. God’s care of me is always productive of good; but my carking avails nothing, but gives present pain, and future disappointment. When God kindly claims it as His province to care for me, why should I encroach on his province, by caring for myself? He is a Rock, and His work is perfect, without my anxiety. The stronger my faith is in God, I will have the less care about myself. When I care for myself, I am distracted with doubts and unbelief; but, when I cast my care on God, in the actings of a vigorous faith, I have peace and composure of soul.
Did the King of Great Britain send me a message “Make yourself happy, for I will provide for you and yours,” would not I rely on the royal promise, and think myself secure? Then, is the promise, the compassion, the treasure, and the faithfulness, of the King of Heaven, less to be depended on than of any earthly king? His care has been extended to a numerous race of my ancestors, since Japheth left the ark, and through pagan darkness, and Popish delusion, has brought me to the clear light of the gospel; and to this unerring care, both with respect to soul and body, I may well commit my posterity to the end of time. His care fashioned me in my mother’s womb, and will not forsake me, now that I am near to be laid in the bowels of the earth.
I know not how far I should extend my care, because I know not how long I shall live. Now, my cares are mostly for events and times to come, and yet I cannot boast of to-morrow; therefore, as no time is mine but the present, so I should have no carking cares for the future.
If I should eat the flesh off my bones with carking care, it will not alter the plan of Providence towards me; therefore, strong faith, and entire resignation to the disposal of Heaven, are both my indispensable duty, and will be my best wisdom.
“Be careful for nothing,” is a command as large and extensive as it is kind and gracious; that is, have no carking care about future periods, or apparent losses, about friends and relations, about wife or children, widow or orphan, house or home, food or raiment, poverty or reproach, sickness or death. So often has mine own care produced nothing but pain and disquiet, that it is high time for me to be ashamed of it, and to give entirely up with it. And so often has the heavenly care done wonders for me, watched over me for good, and done all things well, that on Him I may cast my every care with confidence and joy.—SOLICITUDE SWEETENED.