These truths can never be abused, if we consider,
on the other hand,
n. What return he looks for at their hands —
Doubtless it is God who alone can give men " either to will or to do that which is good^ :" but, as the Articles of our Church express it, " He worketh in us, that we may will ; and then worketh zcith us, when we have that good will." Though all good proceeds from him, yet he expects a reciprocity on our part.
L We must cheerfully obey his will —
[We take no step by constraint. We are free agents in all that we do. True it is that God draws us ; but he draws us, not as stocks and stones, but " with the cords of a man, and with the bands of love™." If we would have our ways pleasing to God, we must seek to please him ; and if we would have our " steps ordered and established by him," we must consult his revealed will, and commit ourselves to the guidance of his Holy Spirit. He has promised, that, in circumstances of difficulty, " we shall hear a word behind us, saying, This is the way; walk ye in it: when we should otherwise be turning to the right hand or to the left" :" and this promise we must plead in prayer, until, by some way which God shall devise, we see, as it were, the pillar and the cloud going before us, and expe- rience that direction which our necessities require ]
2. We must simply depend on his care — [" It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." A little infant does not more need to be carried in its mother's
e Jam. ill. 2. ^ Eccl. vii. 20. s Prov. xxiv. 16.
h John X. 28, 29. ' John xvii. 12. ^ 1 Pet. i. 5.
1 Phil. ii. 13. ™ Hos. xi. 4. " Isai. xxx. 21.
565.1 god's interest in his people. 301
arms than we need the continual support of God. But he promises that ** his everlasting arms shall be underneath us°," and that we shall be " carried as lambs in the bosom of our LordP." But in order to this, we must renounce all confidence in our own powers, and say, " In the Lord have I righteous- ness and strength 1." If, like Peter, we depend on ourselves, we shall fall : but, if we cry habitually to him, " Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe"^," we shall be strengthened with might by his Spirit in our inward man, and be enabled to " do all things through Christ strengthening us^" The weaker we are in ourselves, the stronger we shall be in him*^ ; and, though we be " sifted by Satan" with his utmost efforts", " not so much as the smallest grain shall ever fall upon the earth '^." For " it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish y."]
Address,
1. The self-confident and secure —
[Where do you find in the Holy Scriptures any one of these promises made to you ? Where has God engaged to " order your steps," or declared himself " delighted with your ways ? " Or where has he assured you that your falls shall not be unto death? Not one word is there in all the inspired volume that can serve as a foundation of hope to you, whilst you are leaning to your own understanding, or depending on an arm of flesh. On the contrary, there is nothing but perdi- tion denounced against you^. Beloved Brethren, do but con- trast with your condition the states of God's believing and obedient people ; and you will see, that they alone are blessed, whose hearts are upright, and " whose God is the Lord."]
2. The fearful and disconsolate —
[Many, under a sense of their great infirmities, are ready to fear, that, notwithstanding all that God has spoken for their encouragement, they shall come short at last. But, if only you really desire to please and serve God, see how full and suitable are the promises of God to you : " 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^." Are you weak ? God says, " I will strengthen you." Are you ap- prehensive that nothing less than Omnipotence can admi- nister sufficient aid? God adds, " I will help you." Are you still alarmed because there is something yet left for you to do ?