awaits you. Only hold fast your confidence firm unto the end, and his crown shall be your crown, his kingdom your kingdom, his glory your glory, for ever and ever.]
2 Tim. i. 12. T know ivhom I have believed, and am 'per- suaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
MAN is born to trouble : and it is of tlie greatest importance to bim tbat be sbould know wbere to turn bis eyes in tbe day of adversity. Tbe Gospel directs U'S to a reconciled God in Cbrist Jesus, wbo bas engaged to be our support and comfort under every distress. Tbe Cbristian bas many trials peculiar to bimself : but tbe Gospel is fully adequate to bis ne- cessities. Its power to support bim may be seen in tbe passage before us. St. Paul is exborting Timotby to steadfastness in tbe cause of Cbrist'': and, for bis encouragement, be tells bim wbat was tbe ground of bis own consolations under tbe beavy afflictions wbicb be was now enduring for tbe sake of Christ. He tells bim, that, notwitbstanding be was immured in a dungeon, and in daily expectation of a violent and cruel death, be was neither " ashamed " nor afraid : for tbat be bad a firm persuasion of God's abilfty to keep bim ; and tbat persuasion afforded bim ample support.
To illustrate tbe text, we may observe,
I. Tbe Cbristian commits bis soul to God —
Tbe Apostle doubtless committed unto God the concerns of tbe Cburcb : but it is rather of his soul tbat he is speaking in the words before us, because it was that which alone could be in danger at the day of judgment. In like manner.
Every Christian commits bis soul to God —
a ver. 8.