2. What it is, and in what manner this is done.
[1.] There must be a solemn reconciliation with God in Christ. For we enter into God as an habitation, to seek our comfort, and safety, and happiness in him, only by Christ ; for till sin be pardoned, and God reconciled to the soul, what blessing or comfort can we expect from him whose nature engagetb him to loath us, and justice to punish
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US ? Man by sin is become an odious creature to the holy God : Hab. i. 13, * Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.' And being an unthankful rebel, is liable to the process of his revenging justice and severe punishment. Therefore when wrath maketh inquisition for sinners, there is no hiding-place till found in Christ : Phil. iii. 9, ' And be found in him, not having my own right- ousness,' There must be an atonement, not only made, but applied, before we can delight in God, and have comfortable communion with him, or have any right to the blessings of his providence : Kom. v. 11, ' We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have received the atonement.' It is applied on God's part by the Spirit. And 1 John iv. 13, ' Hereby know we that we are in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.' And on our part by broken- hearted, penitent, believing addresses to him, or by breaking off our sins, and giving up ourselves to him in an everlasting covenant not to be forgotten. This must be renewed as often as there is a breach on our part, for all occasions of breach must be removed ; or when God is executing judgment on his part, for then he seemeth to put the bond in suit, which we must deprecate by flying humbly to the throne of grace : Ps. Ivii. 1, ' In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge;' Ps. Ixi. 4, ' I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever ; I will trust in the covert of thy wings.' He joineth the wings of God with the tabernacle : Ps. xxxvi. 7, 8, ' How excellent is thy loving-kindness, 0 God ! there- fore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings; they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house.' He speaketh of the goodness of God in his house.
[2.] There must be an actual dependence upon God, and trust in him for what he hath provided and we stand in need of, or a firm ad- herence unto him according to his promise. It is dependence breedeth observance. The soul that doth not trust in God cannot be true to him. Faith and faithfulness are not so near akin in sound as they are in nature. Nothing is more engaging than the great bond and tie of our obedience : Ps. cxxiii. 2, ' Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress ; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us ; ' Phil. ii. 12, 13, ' Work out your salvation with fear and trembling ; for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure.' Therefore is trust so often called for : Ps. Ixii. 8, ' Trust in him at all times, ye people ; ' Ps. Ixxxvi. 2, ' Save thy servant that trusteth in thee ; ' Isa". xxvi. 3, * Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.' We are without distraction of mind and thoughts when we refer all to the all-sufficient God, as being persuaded that he will cast things for the best. See the application David maketh of that great truth : Ps. xci. 1, 2, * He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty: I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God ; in him will I trust.' You must keep up the thoughts of his goodness and all- sufficiency.
[3.] There must be supplication and earnest fervent prayer for his powerful and gracious protection. This is the acting of our trust, and God
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will have all blessings sought out this way, that we may take them imme- diately out of his hands : Jer. xxix. 11, 'Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you ; ' Ezek. xxxvi. 37, ' Yet for this will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.' There faith is exercised, hope is declared, desires are expressed in a solemn manner : Ps. Ixii. 8, ' Trust in him at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him ; God is a refuge for us, Selah.' It is a means to ease us of our cares and fears, and of laying down our burden at God's feet, and it reviveth the sense of our obligations.