falls, nor a hair of our head can be touched, without him : and, if he suffer any injury to be inflicted on us, he can overrule it so as to convert it into the greatest benefit. What then have we to do, but to let him work his own will, and to expect that all things shall work together for good ? ]
3. As the Head of his people —
[He is to all his people the head of vital influence ; and will he forget to communicate what is necessary for the wel- fare of his members ? We are weak ; and our enemies are mighty : but is that any ground for fear, whilst we remember whose members we are ? Can we not do all things through Christ strengthening us ? ]
4. As the Judge of quick and dead —
[The distribution of rewards and punishments is com- mitted unto him ; and he has told us what sentence he will pronounce on all his faithful people. And will not that word, " Come ye blessed," or that, " Well done, good and faithful servant," richly repay all that we can do or suffer for him in this world? Can we survey the thrones of glory he has prepared for us, and be afraid of the trials that await us here ? ]
Behold then,
1. The happiness of believers —
[They may, they must, have their trials ; and whilst they possess the feelings of men, they will find some trials grievous to be borne : but they neither have, nor can have, any cause for anxious fear : whilst God is for them, none can be against them. Let them therefore " be careful for nothing," but " cast all their care on Him who careth for them."]
2. The misery of unbelievers —
[Where has God said to them, " Let not your hearts be troubled?" No such word can be found in all the sacred volume. They have need of continual fear and terror: for, what refuge have they, whilst they are not united unto Christ by faith ? Whither can they go under the trials of this life ? and what consolation can they have in the prospects of eter- nity ? Better were it, if they die in such a state, that they had never been born. Hear then what Jesus says to you : Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God ; and besides me there is none else. His address, in the text, is a proof of his Godhead, and consequently of his sufficiency to save all that come unto God by him.]