Will not men be tempted to trust in an arm of flesh ? and will not that issue in disappointment ? and will not repeated disappointments tend to create despondency? People are apt to dread the idea of despondency as connected with the doctrines of grace : but we will venture to affirm, that, for one instance of despondency arising from a view of the sovereignty of God, and of our entire dependence upon his power and grace, a hundred instances arise from want of just views of this subject. What is the answer which we uniformly receive when we exhort men to walk in the steps of Christ ? Is it not this ! ' We cannot : You require more of us, than we are able to perform?5 Of course, in these persons exertion is dis- couraged ; and they remain bond-slaves of Satan, because they conceive it impossible that they should be delivered from his power : whereas, the person who believes that God is all- sufficient and faithful to his promises, is encouraged to renew his application to him from day to day, and, even under the most distressing circumstances, to expect a happy termination of his conflicts. A view of God, as " able to keep us from falling," and as engaged to " perfect that which concerneth us," will be a cordial to the drooping soul : and will enable us to adopt the triumphant language of Christ himself; " He is near that justifieth me ; who will contend with me ? Let us stand together ; Who is mine adversary ? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn meg?" And what the effect will be of such a cheering hope as this, I leave you to judge. Only see it realized in the Apostle Paul, and we have no fear about any conclusions that shall be drawn from it'1.]
3. Improve it for your encouragement —
[What unspeakable encouragement is here afforded to those who are yet ignorant of Christ! Who can hear this saying, and not wish to be numbered amongst his sheep ? Methinks the hope of obtaining such security should induce every one to return from his wanderings, and to put himself under his guidance and protection. Where shall we find any such promise made to those who are at a distance from the fold of Christ? Where has God said to them, "Ye shall never perish?" To them belongs rather that ti-emendous threatening, " Except ye repent, ye shall all perish." O that all who are going astray might consider this, and " return immediately to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls!"
To you who have fled to him for refuge, here is indeed strong consolation. You are sensible of manifold corruptions, any one of which is sufficient to destroy your souls. You feel
b Isai. 1. 8, 9. >' Rom. viii. 33 — 39.