Nor is this happy state a little promoted by his trials. When he is long at ease, he is too apt to relax his exertions, and to rest in a cold and carnal frame : but afflictions drive him to his God, and necessitate him to wrestle in prayer till he obtains the desired aidd.]
2. Confidence before God —
[God is unspeakably gracious to the soul that seeks him. He will not only answer the prayers of his people, but will " shed abroad his love in their hearts," and give them such tokens of acceptance with him, as, in effect, to say to them, " Thou art mine." He will " seal them with the Holy Spirit of promise," and set his mark upon them in such a manner, that they themselves may know their relation to him. Moreover, by these manifestations of his favour he will embolden them to claim him as their God. Like the Church of old they shall make their boast of him; " My beloved is mine, and I am his," " This God is my God for ever and evere."
This assurance too, no less than their fellowship with God, is advanced by means of afflictive dispensations. Their tribu- lation makes them apply to God for patience; the acquisition of patience gives them an experience of his truth and faithful- ness; and this experience begets a lively hopef, yea, oftentimes an unshaken confidence in God, which is as " an anchor of their souls both sure and steadfast."]
b Acts ix. 11. c Isai. lxv. 24. d Gen. xxxii. 21 — 26".
e Cant. ii. 10. Ps. xlviii. 14. ' Rom. v. 3, 4.