[He is informed by the inspired writers, thai God created the ivorld out of nothing ; and that he upholds and orders every thing in it ; insomuch that not a sparrow falls to the ground without his express permission. Hence then he argues ; ' Did God create my soul, and can he not uphold it ? Did he form my enemies also, and can he not restrain them"^? Has he numbered even the hairs of my head, and will he overlook the concerns of my soul ? '
He is told that God is ever seeking oppor limit ies, not only to exert, but also to magnify, his poiver in his people's cause^. Shall all that vigilance, then, be exercised in vain ? or shall any be able to prevail against him ?
He is assured also that God never yet lost one whom he had undertaken to keep : he never suffered " one of his little ones to perish^." " None was ever plucked out of his hand^:" not the " smallest grain of wheat, however agitated in the sieve, was ever permitted to fall upon the earth '\" " The gates of hell have never been able to prevail against his Church." Then, says the Christian, " I will trust, and not be afraid." My Saviour, in the days of his flesh, " lost none that had been given him':" " Whom he loved, he loved to the end'':" and therefore I am persuaded he will perfect that which con- cerneth me^, and *' complete in me the good work he has begun "^."J
2. From his own experience —
[The Christian well remembers what he was by nature ; and knows by daily experience what he should yet be, if Omnipotence were not exerted in his support. And hence he argues thus; ' Has God created me anew, and by an invisible, but almighty, influence turned the tide of my affections, so that they now flow upward to the fountain from whence they sprang; and can he not keep me from going back? Has he kept me for many years, like the burning bush, encom- passed, as it were, with the flame of my corruptions, yet not consumed by it; and " can any thing be too hard for
him?"'
' These arguments are indeed of no weight for the conviction of others ; but to the Christian himself they are a source of the strongest conviction, and of the richest consolation : yea, from
'' See this argument suggested by God himself, Isai. liv. 15 — 17. q. d. " Your enemies are forming weapons ; but I formed thera ; and whatever skill they exercise, I will defeat their attempts."
^ 2 Chron. xvi. 9. This is meant by " shewing himself strong."
f Matt, xviii. 14. e John x. 28, 29. •> Amos ix. 9.
• John xviii. 9. ^ John xiii. 1. ' Ps. cxxxviii. 8.
™ Phil. i. (3.