rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee." And shall tliis be thought too bold an assertion? It is not more bold than true : for God has repeatedly pledged his word, that " none of them that trust in him shall be desolate*^." Nay more, on every occasion we may consider him as saying to us, " According to your faith it shall be unto you^." His conduct towards Abraham clearly shews us how he will act towards all who believe in him. Abraham is tried as never man was : he is bidden to offer up in sacrifice his only son Isaac, in and through whom all the promises of God were to be fulfilled. The holy man proceeds to execute the divine command, assured, that though Isaac were already reduced to ashes on an altar, God both could, and would, raise him up again, and fulfil in him all that he had promised. Accordingly, Isaac was given him, as it were, from the dead ; and was made the instrument of raising up to Abraham that " seed, in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed." So, in proportion as our expectations are enlarged, shall be God's exertions in our favour. If only we can say with David, " Truly my soul waiteth upon God : from him cometh my salvation : He only is my rock, and my salvation, and defence ; " we may, with assured confidence, add with him, " I shall not be moved^."]
And now let me ask,
1. What evidence have you that you are the Lord's? [Do you answer to the character here given of his people,
" fearing him" above all, and " hoping in his mercy" alone? Do you evince that that is indeed your character, by waiting upon him continually, and expecting at his hands his proffered benefits ? Examine well the habit of your minds from day to day : for it is of such only that it can be said, His eye is " over them for good^." But far different is the state of those who fear him not : for " the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off" the remembrance of them from the earth^." I again say, and rejoice to say, that, though your attainments reach no further than holy fear and humble hope, the Lord will look upon you with tender and paternal love: but, if these graces be not rooted in your hearts, you have yet to learn what it is to receive the grace of God in truth.]
2. What would be your state, if God's mercy to you should be measured by your regards for him ?
[St. John prayed for Gaius, that " his bodily health might prosper as his soul prospered'." And are you prepared to
^ Ps. xxxiv. 22. e Matt. viii. 13. and ix. 29.
f Ps. Ixii. 1, 2, 5, 6. s Deut. xxx. 9.
h Ps. xxxiv. 15, 16. i 3 John, ver. 2.