livep, and that " what he has promised he is able also to perform q."]
Address —
1. Let none indulge unbelief, in reference to their own souls —
[Frequently are persons ready to despond, as though their difficulties in the divine life were too great to be surmounted. And truly, if our salvation depended on our own efforts only, we might well despond. But has not God engaged to keep
his people1"? Has not the Lord Jesus Christ assured
us, that "his grace shall be sufficient for uss?" Why then should we be cast down, as though there were no hope ? See how tenderly God chides us for such unworthy and unbecom- ing fears1 and learn to "live by faith in the Lord
Jesus," and to be "strong in faith, giving glory to Godu."]
2. Let none indulge it, in reference to the Church of God—
[We confess, " it is marvellous in our eyes," that the Jews should ever become such a people as we are taught to expect. But we are not therefore to doubt whether the pro- mises of God respecting them will be fulfilled. What the prophet predicted respecting the speedy re-establishment of the Jews after their captivity, was fulfilled : and so will his predictions relative to their future restoration. Hence, in the words immediately following the text, it is said, " Let your hands be strong, ye that hear, in these days, these words by the mouth of the prophets :" and again, in ver. 13. " Fear not, but let your hands be strong." So then say I to you at this time : You who are engaged in promoting the welfare of the Jewish nation, " fear not, but let your hands be strong." Your prospects, humanly speaking, are discouraging ; but God is on your side; and he who by the sound of rams' horns cast down the walls of Jericho, will, by your feeble efforts, " gloi-ify himself, and make his own strength perfect in your weakness."]
p Ezek. xxxvii. 3 — 5. <J Rom. iv. 21.
r 1 Sam. ii. 9. Job xvii. 9. Phil. i. 6. s 2 Cor. xii. 9.
1 Isai. xl. 27 — 31. u Rom. iv. 20.