his protecting care, and a humble, yet confident, expectation, that he will order every thing for our eternal good. We cannot give a juster picture of it, than by referring you to the descrip- tion given of it by the sweet singer of Israel p. Nothing alarms him, or disturbs his rest, because he knows that " his God is for him, and that therefore none can, with any effect, be against himi." " His God gives him quietness ; Who then can make trouble"^?"
And will you be content to continue ignorant of this hap- piness ? Why should you do so ? Christ has purchased it for " those who are afar off, as well as those who are near^;" and he will confer it in rich abundance on all who call upon him*.]
2. Those who through the weakness of their faith do not yet partake of it —
[How dishonourable is your conduct, and injurious to that God who redeemed you by the blood of his only dear Son ! Whom has he ever deceived, that you cannot rely upon his promises ? In what instance has he ever shewn himself deficient, either in faithfulness or power ? What enemies also are you to your own happiness, at the time that you are so dishonouring him ! " Has he not said to you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God'^?" " Believe in the Lord, so shall ye be established ; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper^:" but, " if ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established^."]
3. Those who profess to enjoy that peace — [Well may we say with David, " O Lord of Hosts,
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee^;" blessed is the man who with humble confidence can approach thee, saying, " O God, thou art my God." And are any of you brought to this happy state ? O " cast not away your confidence, which has such great recompence of reward^:" for then, and then only, " are we partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end^." But, on the other hand, beware lest you abuse that confidence, and walk unworthy of your high calling : for, " if God has spoken peace" unto your souls, he especially enjoins you " never more to return to folly '^." Let it be seen then what is the genuine effect of saving faith : and, if you call yourselves sons of God, and profess to have your portion with him in the world to come, then remember, that " every one that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as He is pure ^."]
P Ps. xxiii. 1 Rom. viii. 31. ' Job xxxiv. 29.
s Eph. ii. 17. t Rom. x. 11—13. " John xi. 40.
^ 2 Chron. xx. 20. y Isai. vii. 9. ^ Ps. Ixxxiv. 12.
a Heb. X. 35. ^ Heb. iii. 14. <= Ps. Ixxxv. 8. <i 1 John iii. 2, 3.