intimated in the very words of our text, where the literal ex- pression, as pointed out in the margin, is, " Thou wilt keep him in jjeace, peace," that is, in peace indubitably certain, unin- terruptedly abiding, and richly abundant. If only we cherished an " earnest expectation and hope" in God, verily " we should never be ashamed or confounded world without end''."]
Having thus shewn what God has prepared for them that love him, we would,
II. Urge you to seek that blessedness in God's ap- pointed way —
God calls us all to trust in him :
1. Consider what a God we have to trust in —
\_Consider what " exceeding great and precious proviises he has given to us." There is not a situation or a circumstance wherein we can be placed, but God has given us promises exactly suited to it. It would be a highly profitable employ- ment to extract from the Scriptures for ourselves the various promises contained in them, and especially those which apply more particularly to our own case ; and then to spread them from time to time before our God in prayer. What sweet encouragement would this afford us, in all our addresses at the throne of grace ; and what holy confidence would it create in us ! If we have only a promise from a man like ourselves, it tends exceedingly to compose our minds : but how much more would this effect arise from apprehending the promises of a faithful God !
But consider also how able God is to perform all that he has promised to us. Truly " with him is everlasting strength :" " There is nothing impossible with him." " It is alike with him to save by many or by few." He can save with means, or without means, or against means. As for our weakness, or the strength of our enemies, it makes no difference to him. In the words following our text, it is said, " He will bring down them that dwell on high : the lofty city, he layeth it low ; he layeth it low, even to the ground ; he bringeth it even to the dust." Is it asked. By whom he will do this? it is added, " The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy*:" yes, " He will strengthen the spoiler against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress''." The weaker we are in our own apprehension, the more strong we are in reality ; because " his power shall rest upon us," and " his strength be perfected in our weakness*^."]
Let us trust in. him with our whole hearts —
z Phil. i. 20. Isai. xlv. 17. ^ ver. 5, G. See also ch. xiv. 2.
b Amos v. 9. '2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.