[" I, even I, am he that comforteth you : Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be as grass ; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker; and fearest every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy ? and where is the fury of the oppressor"1?" Do not so dishonour your Lord and Saviour : but believe him able, believe him willing, to afford you all needful succour, and to " save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him " ]
Yet let me not conclude without adding a few words for the conviction of those who know nothing of such fears as these —
[They who have never had a fear of their state, are at this moment destitute of any scriptural hope : for, What can they know of themselves ? What can they know of the Christian warfare ? What can they know of the Scriptures of truth ? They are altogether in darkness even until now. Can it be supposed that God would use such efforts for the encourage- ment of his people, if they did not need encouragement? Why did Jehovah so tenderly chide his people of old for their fears, and give them such rich promises of aid, if their situation did not require such supports n ? or why does our blessed Lord still say, " Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father's good plea- sure to give you the kingdom0?" Know of a surety, that the Christian life is attended with many difficulties : and that all the supports and consolations afforded to the believer in the Holy Scriptures, are no more than his necessities require: and, if ever you begin to serve the Lord in truth, you will find the promise in our text more precious to you than gold, and " sweeter to you than honey, or the honeycomb."]
m Isai. li. 12, 13. n Isai. xl. 27 — 31. ° Luke xii. 32.