the vanities in which he had gloried, became monuments of his shame, and means of perpetuating his disgrace p. Thus will it be with all who trust in an arm of flesh. God has denounced a curse against them*! ; and though, through the forbearance of God, it may be awhile delayed, it will surely come at last ; and all, wherein we trusted, will turn to our confusion : our wisdom will become folly ; our strength, weak- ness ; our righteousness, as filthy rags ^. We may dream of being " as a nail fastened in a sure place;" but if we rely on any thing of our own, our hopes will be disappointed, and our expectations will perish. Let us not then lean to our own un- derstanding, or depend on our own strength, or trust in our own righteousness : we must be empty in ourselves, if we would be filled by God ; for it is " the hungry alone whom he filleth with good things ; the full and the rich he will send empty away :" " He will resist the proud; and give grace only to the humble **."]
2. To trust in the Lord with our whole hearts —
[Jesus is indeed " a nail fastened in a sure place ; " and able to bear the weight of the whole universe. He is exalted by the hand of God himself on purpose that He may " be a Prince and a Saviour" unto us. And, if we rely on him, he is " able to save us to the uttermost." Only let our trust in him be entire, (exactly like that of a vessel on a nail,) and we may rest assured, that all, who so hang on him, shall be " the glory of his Father's house." As there is no other support for sinful man, so neither is there any fear of disappointment to those who trust in him. Let none then imagine themselves so great as not to need his support ; or deem themselves so insignificant, that they shall not obtain it ; or think themselves in such perilous circumstances, that He cannot viphold them. " Every vessel, from the largest flagon to the smallest cup," must owe its preservation to him alone ; and by him shall all be saved, if they do but " cleave to him with full purpose of heart."]
P ver. 18. 1 Jer. xvii. 5. ^ i Cor. i. 19. Isai. Ixiv. 6.
s Luke i. 52, 53. Jam, iv. 6.