THE saint's hiding-place IN THE EVIL DAY. 415
to be our own, and not before. It is the happiness of a Chi'istian that he is not his own, but that whether he live or die, he is the Lord's.
Direction 2. In the second place, ue muat labour to find ourselves m covenant ivith God ; that is, to find him making (jood his j^romiscs to us, and ourselves makinri good our promises to him. For a man cannot commit himself to God, unless he find a disposition in his heart to be faithful to him.
There is a passive fidelity, and an active. 1. Passive faithfulness is in the things that we give trust unto, as, such a one is a sure, trusty man, therefore I will rely upon him. 2. Active faithfulness in the soul is, when we cast ourselves upon a man that is trusty, and depend upon him. The more a man knows another to be faithful, the more faithful he will be in trusting of him ; and thus we must trust God, if ever we expect any good at his hands ; and our dependence on him binds him to be the more faith- ful to us. He is counted a wicked man indeed, that will deceive the trast committed to him. Trust begets fidelity ; it makes a good man the more faithful, when he knows he is trusted.
Learn therefore to know thyself to be in covenant with God, and to trust him with all thou hast ; train up thyself in a continual dependence upon him. He that trusts God with his soul, wiU trust him every day in every- thing he hath or doth. He knows well, that whatsoever he enjoys is not his own, but God's ; and this stirs him to commit all his ways and doings to his protection, esteeming nothing safe but what the Lord keeps. He sees ' it is not in sinful man to direct his own steps,' Jer. x. 23 ; and therefore resigns up his estate, his calling, his femily, whatsoever is near and dear unto him, to the blessed guidance and direction of the Almighty. Oh, thinks he, that I were in covenant with God, that he would own me for his, and take the care of me, how happy should my condition then be !
He wiU likewise commit the church and state wherein he lives to God ; and strengthens his faith daily by observing God's faithful dealing with his people in every kind.
How behoveful it is for Christians thus to inure themselves to be ac- quainted with God by little and little, fii'st tmsting him with smaller matters, and then with greater. How can a man trust God with his soul, that distrusts him for the petty things of this life '? ' They that give to the poor are said to lend unto the Lord,' Prov. xix. 17 ; and ' if we cast om- bread upon the waters, we shall find it again,' Eccles. xi. 1. Beloved, he that parts with anything to relieve a poor saint, and will not trust God with his promise to recompense it again, but thinks all is gone, and he shall never see it more, &c., exceedingly derogates fi'om the truth and good- ness of the Almightj', who hath promised to return with advantage whatso- ever we give that way. He hath secret ways of his o^vn to do us good, that we know not of. A man is never the poorer for that which he dis- creetly gives. It is hard to believe this; but it is much harder for a man to commit his soul to God when he dies, with assurance that he shall par- take of mercy, and be saved at the last day.
Direction 3. Again, take heed of these evil and cursed dispositions that hinder vs from the performance of this duty ; as namely, carnal wit and policy, and carnal will and affection, &c. There is a great deal of self- denial to be learned, before we can go out of ourselves and commit all to God ; ere we can cast ourselves into his arms, and lay ourselves at his feet. Therefore take heed that we be not ruled, either by our own carnal policy or others', to knit ourselves to that ; for I beseech you, do but think, what
416 THE saint's hiding-place in the evil day.
is true in all stories, not only in the Scripture, but elsewhere, the most unfor- tunate men that ever were, otherwise wise enough, were always too confi- dent of themselves. The greatest swimmers, you know, are often drowned, because relying overmuch on their own skill, they cast themselves into danger, and are swallowed up of the deep. Even confidence in wit is usually unfortunate, though it be great. Let Solomon be an example. You see how he strengthened himself by carnal supports ; but what became of all ? Alas, it soon vanished and came to nothing. The Jews would run to the reed of Egypt, and that ran into their hands ; instead of helping, it hurt them. God takes delight to overthrow the ripeness of aU the carnal policy of man, that advanceth itself against his word and gospel. Take heed of confidence in prosperity, in wit, in strength ; take heed of whatso- ever hinders the committing of our souls to God ; and alway remember, that honesty is the best policy ; and that God reconciled in Christ is the best sanctuary to flee unto. ' The name of God is a strong tower,' saith Solomon ; ' the righteous flee thereto, and are safe,' Prov. xviii. 10.