dwells in tliemy, and is, as it were, the very life of their souls ='. However distressed then we be, we should regard him as " the health of our countenance, and our God." What a foundation of hope did the remembrance of God's paternal relation to them afford to the Church of old=^! And what a sweet assurance does God himself teach tis also to derive from the same source*^! If we unfeignedly desire to be his, we have good reason to believe that we are his : and if we be his, he will never suffer any to pluck us out of his hand^ Hold fast this therefore, as an anchor of the soul ; and it shall keep you steadfast amidst all the storms and tempests that can possibly assail you.]
Address —
1. Those who are in a drooping desponding frame —
[We cannot give you better counsel than that suggested by the example of David.
Inquire, first, into the reasons of your disquietude. If it pro- ceed from temporal afflictions, recollect, that they are rather tokens of God's love, than of his hatred; for "whom he loveth he chasteneth*^." If it arise from the temptations of Satan, take not all the blame to yourselves ; but cast a good measure of it at least on him from whom they proceed. If you are troubled about the hidings of God's face, entreat him to return, and to lift up upon you once more the light of his countenance. And if, as is most probable, " your own sins have hid his face from you," humble yourself for them, and implore his grace that you may be enabled henceforth to mortify and subdue them. At all events, having once searched out the cause, you will know the better how to apply a remedy.
But, in the next place, it will be proper to check these despond- ing fears. The text is not a mere inquiry, but an expostula- tion ; and such an expostulation as you should address to your own souls. For, what benefit can accrue from such a frame ? It only weakens your hands, and discourages your heart, and dishonours your God. We do not say that there are not just occasions for disquietude : but this we say, that instead of continuing in a dejected state, you should return instantly to God, who would " give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness^."
But, above all, " encourage yourself in God" This is what David did in the text, and on another most meiuorable occa- sion^. And while there is an all-sufficient God on whom to
y 2 Cor. vi. 10. ^ Col. iii. 4. » isai, Ixiii. 15, 16.
f Isai. xlix. 14— IG. <= John x. 27, 28. i Heb. xii. 6.
« Isai. Ixi. 3. f 1 Sam. xxx. 1 — 6.
z 2