"he cannot deny himself r;" and again in still stronger terms, " It is impossible for God to lies." Nor let it be thought that this detracts from God's power : for to be able to lie, would be a weakness rather than a perfection : and as it is man's disgrace that he is prone to violate his word, so it is God's honour that he neither will nor can He.] Infer,
1. How vain are the expectations of unconverted men!
[Men, whatever may be their state, persuade themselves that they shall be happy when they die. But how delusive must be that hope, which is built upon the expectation that God will prove himself a liar ! Who are we, that God should, (if we may so speak) un deify himself for us? And what security should we have if he were even to admit us into heaven in direct opposition to his own word? Might he not change his word again, and cast us into hell at last? Surely heaven would be no heaven, if it were held on so precarious a tenure. Let us then lay aside all such delusive hopes. Let us learn to tremble at God's word ; and seek to attain that entire change both of heart and life, to which the promises of salvation are annexed.]
2. How groundless are the fears of the converted! [There is a holy fear or jealousy that is highly desirable for every one, however eminent, however established. But there is a tormenting slavish fear that arises from unbelief, and which greatly retards our progress in the divine life. Now we ask, Does this fear arise from an apprehension of our own unfaithfulness, or of God's? If it be God's faithfulness that we doubt, let us know that " his gifts and callings are without repentance1," and that " where he hath begun a good work, he will perfect it unto the day of Christu." If, on the other hand, we suspect our own faithfulness, let us recollect on whom our faithfulness depends: if it depend wholly on ourselves, who amongst us will be saved x? Thanks be to God, he who has been the author of our faith, has engaged to be the finisher of ity; and has promised, not only that he will not depart from us, but that he will put his fear in our hearts, so that we shall not depart from him2. Let us then " set to our seal that God is truea." Let us commit ourselves to him, knowing in whom we have believed h, and assured that, while we stand on the founda- tion of his word, we are immovably secure0.]
r 2 Tim. ii. 13. ■ Heb. vi. 18.
4 Compare Rom. xi. 29. with the words following the text.
u Phil. i. 6. ^ 2 Cor. iii. 5. Zech. iv. G.
v Heb. xii. 2. Zech. iv. 9. z Jer. xxxii. 39, 40.
a John iii. 33. b 2 Tim. i. 12. » 2 Tim. ii. 19.