s Isai. xxvi. 3. '' Job xxxiv. 29. '. Ps. xci. 1, 9, 10.
k Isai.lxvi. 10—13. • Zeph. iii. 17. ™ Jer. xv. 19.
n Mai. iii. 18.
to confess that it does not belong to me?" Then, Brethren, by your own confession, you have no part in the promises annexed to that character. And, indeed, your own experience confirms this : for at this moment you cannot comprehend those mysteries of grace which are made clear to the believing soul. You have not that spiritual discernment, whereby alone you can understand and appreciate the things of the Spirit". And, as for " your soul dwelling at ease," you know nothing of it : the very thought of death and judgment is so appalling to you, that you can find no rest till you dismiss it from your mind. God himself tells us, that " you are like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt ; and that there is no peace to the wicked P."
"WHl you not, then, seek to fear God ? Will you not entreat him to " put his fear into your hearts," ere it be too late ? I tremble at the thought of the lodging prepared for you. Oh ! " who can dwell with everlasting burnings ? " I pray you, Brethren, realize in your minds the different states of the Rich Man and Lazarus ; and " labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you."]
2. To any one who, though really fearing God, does not yet experience the full comfort of it in his soul — [It may be that such an one is here present, even one who, because he feels not yet all the consolations of religion, is led to doubt its existence in his soul. We read of some in the primitive Church, who were " in heaviness through mani- fold temptations:" and, no doubt, there may be persons so circumstanced amongst ourselves at this time. But for such God has provided peculiar encouragement. He has stated the very case, and addressed appropriate counsel to the person under it: " Who is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God 'I." Do not imagine that God has forgotten his word, or that he will not fulfil it to you : for " not one jot or tittle of it shall ever fail." " Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." The corn that is sown in the earth does not rise up immediately : nor must you be discouraged, if you have some time to wait before the harvest that is prepai'ed for you appear. " The vision may tarry; but it is only for the time appointed of your God ; and then it shall come, and shall not tarry^" Only wait his leisure; and you shall find, in due season, that, " in every nation under heaven, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness shall be accepted of him."]
" 1 Cor. ii. 12, 14. p Isai. Ivii. 20, 21. i Isai. 1. 10. r Hab. ii. 3.