And the same condescension may we also expect —
[It is true, we are not authorized to specify the terms on which we will credit the di\ane testimony, or to expect any visible signs in confirmation of God's word : yet are we not a whit less assured of his condescension and grace, than Gideon and Thomas were. We shall find, in his very covenant which he has made with us, the very same condescension to our weakness, and the very same desire to satisfy our minds : for "he has confirmed his covenant with an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have the stronger consolation i." And, if we look at the promises, we shall find that they are made in a way purposely to counteract and sustain the weakness of our minds. Mark the repetitions : " Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness ^" " Fear not, thou worm Jacob : thou shalt thresh the mountains ^" Mark his answers to the objections arising in our minds : " Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered ? Yes ; thus saith the Lord: The captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered : for I will con- tend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children'." We see, then, that at this day God is the same as in the days of old ; and that still, as formerly, " he will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, till he bring forth judgment unto victory"."]
In all this, however, we discern,
III. The efficacy of prayer —
It was prayer that prevailed in the instance before us —
[Gideon, wdth much humility and tenderness of spirit, besought the Lord; even as the Prophet Isaiah afterwards did in behalf of Hezekiah. God promised to Hezekiah that his disorder should be healed, and that he should " on the third day go up to the house of the Lord." A sign was then offered to him, and a choice was given him in relation to it : and he, thinking it a much harder thing for the shadow on
1 Heb. vi. 17, 18. r isai. xli. 10. « Isai. xli. 14—16.
* Isai. xlix. 24, 25, >» Matt. xii. 20.