have not many promises suited to our necessities. Should we not then treasure them up in our minds ? Should we not plead them at a throne of grace ? Should they not be to us " a light shining in a dark place ? " Let us study the word of God with an especial view to the promises ; for it is by them that we are to be "made partakers of a divine nature"," and by them to " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit0."]
2. How ashamed should we be of ever yielding to unbelief!
[The office of faith is, to give to things invisible and future a present and visible existence. It was by faith that Abraham was assured that Isaac, after he should have been slain and reduced to ashes, would be restored to life ; yea, he was as much assured of it, as if he had seen the very transaction pass before his eyes. This honoured God as a God of truth. But unbelief dishonours him in the highest degree : it says, in fact, that " the vision will lie." But what ground have we for such a suspicion ? When did God falsify any one of his promises p ? To guard against our unbelief, he has confirmed his promise with an oathq: and shall we still question his veracity? O blush, ye unbelieving people, who are doubting whether he will receive you to mercy, or supply all your need ! Trust in him with unshaken affiance ; and you shall find Him " faithful who hath promised."]
3. How awful is the state of those, who, instead of being interested in the promises, are obnoxious to the threatenings !
[Every word of God is equally true, and equally certain of accomplishment. The threatening that the whole world should be destroyed by a deluge, was executed, notwithstand- ing the scoffs of unbelievers : and every thing which he has spoken against sin and sinners shall be fulfilled in due season1. His vengeance is delayed in mercy ; but it shall surely come at lasts. Let the impenitent and unbelieving consider this, and " flee for refuge to the hope set before them."]
n 2 Pet. i. 4. ° 2 Cor. vii. 1.
p Josh, xxiii. 14. <i Heb. vi. 17, 18.
r 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4, 8, 9. s 2 Tim. ii. 12, 13.