deliberate purpose of his soul, has he " fled for refuge to Christ, and laid hold on him as his only hope."]
2. The means by which he seeks to effect his end —
[The written word of God is regarded by him as the only ground of his faith, and the only rule of his practice. The promises contained in it he treasures up in his mind, for the encouragement of his soul ; and the precepts, as a sure direc- tory. The Sacred Volume is to him what the chart and compass are to the mariner : nor will he ever pass a day without con- sulting it, to ascertain the state of his soul, and the course that he shall pursue.]
3. The exertions made by him in the prosecution
of his purpose —
[No sooner did he turn to God in earnest, than he found allurements, on the one hand, to draw him from the Lord ; and menaces, on the other hand, to drive him from his God. But his conscience bears him witness, that " he has stuck unto God's testimonies," and " cleaved unto the Lord with full purpose of heart." True, the conflict yet continues, yea, and requires the utmost exertions of his soul : but still he is " steadfast and im- moveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord : assured that, at last, his labour shall not be in vain in the Lord."]
Conformable with his past experience is also,
II. His prospective determination —
He feels, indeed, that God alone can uphold him —
[This is strongly expressed in that prayer, " O Lord, put me not to shame ! " In vain would be all his own efforts, if he were not aided from on high. Soon would he fall, and make shipwreck of his faith, and " be put utterly to shame," if God should withdraw from him for one single moment. He feels himself like an infant in its mother's arms, and cries to God continually, " Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." He laments that in his own heart he is narrow and contracted, and incapable of either devising or executing such plans as may advance his spiritual welfare in the way that he could wish. He seems to himself like a ship that is becalmed ; and which, for want of winds to carry him forward, is in danger of being diverted from his path by currents which he is unable to with- stand. Hence he prays to God for such communications of his Holy Spirit as shall fill his sails, and bear him onward to his destined port. And,]
In dependence on God, he determines to redouble his exertions till he has attained the great object of his desires —