[Self-confidence naturally emboldens us to rush into
temptation And necessarily provokes God to leave us
to ourselves By means of the former, our occasions
of falling are greatly multiplied : by means of the latter, our
ability to stand is utterly w^ithdrawn^ God, for his
own honour's sake, is concerned to let us fall, in order that we may know^ and confess, that our sufficiency for any good thing is derived from him alone® — ]
III. That, if we would be kept from falling, we must look well to our steps —
[As in a slippery path peculiar caution is required, and an inattention to our steps will probably issue in some painful accident, so more especially is it necessary to use circum- spection in the path of duty. Who can tell the snares and temptations that beset us? Who can tell what may be the consequences of any step we take ? Who can reflect on all the circumstances that arose from one single glance of David's eye, and not feel himself exposed to continual danger ? The most important events of our lives may be traced to some trivial cause, some matter of pure indifference : and events, equally or more important, perhaps no less than the everlasting salvation of our souls, may depend on the very next step we take. Surely then we should in " all things be circumspect^:" we should " take heed to our ways;" we should walk in an humble dependence on God for direction and support; we should cry to him continually, " Hold thou up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not^."]
We shall conclude this subject with a few words of