death, viz. by the sword ; his heart was brought to that frame, that he could with as much wilhngiiess pour out his blood for Christ, as the priests used to pour out drink-offerings to the Lord. It is true, all the meditations and preparations in the world, made by us, are not sufficient in themselves to carry us through such diffi- cult services; it is one thing to see death as our fancy limns it out at a distance, and another thing to look death itself in the face. We can behold the painted lion without fear, but the living lion makes us tremble : but yet, though our suffering-strength comes not from our own preparations or forethoughts of death, but from God's gracious assistance ; yet usually that assistance of his is com- municated to us in and by the conscientious and humble use of these means; let us therefore be found waiting upon God for strength, patience, and resolutions to suffer as it becomes Chris- tians, in the daily serious use of those means whereby he is pleased to communicate to his people.
Rule 4. If ever you will subdue your own slavish fiars, commit yourselves, aiid all that is yours into the hands of God hy faith.
This rule is fully confirmed by that scripture, Prov. xvi. 3, *' Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be es- " tablished.'"' The greatest part of our trouble and burden, in times of danger, arises from the unsettled ness and distraction of our own thoughts ; and the way to calm and quiet our thoughts is to commit all to God. This rule is to be applied for this end and purpose, when we are going to meet death itself, and that in all its terrible formalities, and most frightful appearances, 1 Pet. iv. 19. " Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the " keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful " Creator." And if this committing act of faith be so useful at such a time, when the thoughts must be supposed to be in the great- est hurry, and fears in their full strength ; much more will it esta- blish the heart, and calm its passions in lesser troubles. You know what ease and relief it would be to you, if you had a trial depend- ing in law for your estates, and your hearts were overloaded and distracted with cares and fears about the issue of it : if one whom you know to be very skilful and faithful, should say to you at such a time, trouble not yourself any farther about this business, never break an hour's sleep more for this matter ; be you an unconcerned spectator, commit it to me, and trust me with the management of it ; I will make it my own concernment, and save you harmless. O what a burden, what an heavy load would you feel yourselves eased of, as soon as you had thus transferred and committed it to such a hand ! then you would be able to eat with pleasure and sleep in quietness : much more ease and quietness doth your committing the matter of your fears to God give, even so much mpre as hia
292 A PRACTICAL TREATISE OF FEAE.
power, ^visdom, and faithfulness is greater than what is to be found in men. But to make this rule practicable and improveable to peace and quietness of heart in an evil day, it will be necessary that you well understand,
1. What the committing act of faith is.
2. What grounds and encouragements believers have for it.
1. Study well the nature of this committing act of faith, and what it supposes or implies in it ; for all men cannot commit them- selves to God, it is his own people only that can do it : nor is it every thing they can commit to God ; they cannot commit ,them- selves to his care and protection in any way but only in his own ways. Know more particularly,
1^^, That he who will commit himself to God, must commit himself to him in well doing, as the apostle limits it in 1 Pet. iv. 19. and in things agreeable to his will ; else we would make God a pa- tron and protector of our sins : Let them that .suffer according to the 7vill of' God commit the Ji'eeplng of their souls to him in well-doing. We cannot commit our sins, but our duties to God's protection ; God is so great a friend to truth and righteousness, that in such a case he will not take your part, how dear soever you be to him, if truth be found on your enemies part, and the mistake on yours. Think not to e:5title God to your errors and failings, much less to any sinful designs ; you may commit a doubtful case to him to be decided, but not a sinful case to be protected. It is in vain to shel- ter any cause of your own under his wings, except you can write upon it, as David did, Psal. Ixxiv. 22. Thine own cause, O Lord, as well as mine. Lord, plead thine own cause.
2<i(7, lie that commits his all to God supposes and firmly believes that all events and issues of things are in God's hands ; that he only can direct, over-rule, and order them all as he pleaseth. Upon this supposition the committing acts of faith in all our fears and distresses are built : / trusted in thee, O Lord, I said. Thou art my God, my times are in thy hand, deliver me from the hands of my enemies, and from them that persecute me. His firm assent to this great truth. That his times were in God's hands, w^as the reason why he commit- ted himself into that hand. If our times, or lives, or comforts were in our enemies' hands, it were to little purpose for us to commit ourselves into God's hands. And here the contrary senses and methods of faith and unbelief are as conspicuous as in any one thing whatsoever : unbelief persuades men that their lives and all that is dear to them is in the hands of their enemies, and therefore per- suades them the best way they can take to secure themselves, is by compliance with the will of their enemies, and pleasing them : but faith determines quite contrary, it tells us. We and all that is ours, is in God's hand, and no enemy can touch us, or ours, till he
A TREATISE OF THE SOUL OF MAN. 293
ffive them a permission ; and therefore it is our duty and interest to please him, and commit all to him.