prove at last unsound, he shall sink the deeper into irremedi- able shame and misery ' ]
Application —
1. Let us examine well the grounds of our con- fidence—
[I would by no means be understood to condemn all con- fidence, but only to recommend a careful examination of the grounds on which our confidence is built. We may, if we will attentively discriminate between things which differ, find a very broad distinction between the confidence which is delusive, and that which is truly scriptural. As a general observation, we may say, that that alone is scriptural which is attended with holy fear and jealousy : for even St. Paul himself laboured incessantly to "bring all his bodily appetites into subjection, lest, after having preached to others, he himself should be- come a cast-away." That which stands on a presumptuous conceit about God's decrees, and is sanctioned only by an appeal to past experience, may well be questioned : but that which is founded rather on the general promises of the Gospel, and is borne out and warranted by an appeal to the present experience of the soul, may safely be treasured up as an invaluable blessing. And if this latter appear more fluctuating than the other, let not that render it less estimable in your minds : for it is far the more scriptural and safe. In fact, Satan exerts himself to the uttermost to strengthen the confidence which is erroneous, that so his vassals may not suspect the delusion under which they labour ; whilst, on the other hand, he infuses doubts into the minds of the upright, that they may not reap the full benefit of their confidence in God. Only let your confidence be hum- ble, and its habitual effect be practical, and then you may say boldly, "O God, thou art my God!" and may hold fast your confidence, and the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the end.]
2. Let us endeavour to maintain a close walk with God—
[Whilst this, as I have already shewn, is the proper test of our confidence, it is also the means whereby our confidence is to be made more and more assured. " If we abide with God, he will abide with us : but if we forsake him, he also will forsake usk." Here we see, that, if the text is true, so will the converse of it be found true also. Only let us " hold fast that which is good," and no enemy whatsoever shall pre- vail against us. You all know how the Apostle sets all his enemies at defiance1 And thus may we also do : for,
i Job xx. 4—7. k 2 Chron. xv. 2. J Rom. viii. 33—39.