252. God oftentimes defers to help his children until they be in ex- tremity, till they be at their wits' end, because he will have them live by faith and not by sight ; as good Jehoshaphat, ' We know not what to do, but our eyes are towards thee,' 2 Chron. xx. 12. So St Paul received the sentence of death in himself, that he might trust in the living God, 2 Cor. i. 9. This is the cause of divine desertions, why God leaves his children in desperate plunges, seeming to be an enemy to them, because he will have us live by faith ; and when we live by it, then he rewards us.
253. Howsoever things are in sight, yet we should give God the honour to trust to his promises. Though his dealings towards us seem to be as to reprobates, yet let us believe his word. He cannot deny it. Say, ' Lord, remember thy promise to thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to trust,' Ps. cxix. 49. Thei-efore wrestle with God, for thereby he doth convey secret strength to his children, that they may be able to overcome him.
254. The reason why many men at the hour of death are full of fears and doublings, and their hearts are fall of misgivings, is, because in their lifetime they have not been exercised in living by faith.
255. Confidence doth then arise from faith, when troubles make it the stronger. Therefore it is a true evidence, when confidence increaseth with opposition, great troubles breeding great confidence. Again, it is a sign a man's confidence is well bred, when a man can carry himself equal in all conditions, when he hath learned to want and to abound. He needs a strong brain that drinks much strong water. Now when a man hath an even spirit, to be content in all conditions, it argues a well-grounded confidence.
256. None can be truly confident but God's children. Other men's confidence is like a madman's strength. He may have the strength of two or three for a time, but it is a false sti*ength ; and it is when they are lifted up upon the wings of ambition and favour of men, but these men in the time of trial sink: ' The hope of the hypocrite shall perish,' Prov. xi. 7.
257. Wicked men depart out of this world like malefactors that are unwilling to go out of prison. But God's children, when they die, they die in obedience : ' Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word,' Luke ii. 29. To be in the body is a good condition, because
214 DIVINE MEDITATIONS
we live bj' faith ; but it is better to be with the Lord, because then we shall live by sight.
258, An ambitious man is an unilcrmincr of others, and if any stand in his way, he will make way through blood, he will tread upon his friends to get to honour, so a soul that is gracioush' ambitious considers what stands in his way. He hates father and mother, nay, his own life ; he pulls out his right e^-e, he cuts off his right hand, he offers violence to everything that stands betwixt him and his God.
259. We should study the Scriptures, that we may find what is accept- able to God and Christ. Now that which most pleaseth God is holiness. So doth grace and mercy. Therefore we should study to be holy, and gracious, and merciful. ' This is the will of God,' saith the apostle, 'even youT sanctification, that is, to be holy as God is holy,' 1 Thes. iv. 3. Those that will be acceptable to God must be good in private, in their closet, be- cause sincerity supposeth that God sees all. They must be humbled for the rising of sin, because these things are seen of Christ with grief and hatred.
2()0. If in our recreations or other lawful things we be so religious as we should, we will then have Christ in our eye, and see how this may further me in his service, or how this may hinder me ; for the most glorious actions of religion are no service at all if not done in faith, and with respect to Christ.
261. Let no man be discouraged in the doing of good actions, though otherwise they may be bad men, having no interest in Christ ; for so far as any outward action is outwardly good it shall be rewarded. The Scribes and Pharisees had the promise of men for their reward. The Romans were sti'aight* in their civil government, and God so blessed them for it, that their commonwealth flourished for many hundred years. Let the people be what they will, if civil, f they shall have their reward suitable to that good they do. As for heaven and happiness in another world, they care not for it ; yet every man shall have his ' penny,' Mat. xx. 13.
202. It is a great art in faith to apprehend Christ suitable to our pre- sent condition ; as when we are fallen into sin, think of the terrors of the law, but when we are broken-hearted, then present him as a sweet Saviour, inviting all to come unto him ; and thus neither shall Christ be dishonoured nor our souls wronged.