these, more than from any others, he is enabled to say, " I know whom I have beheved."]
Moreover,
III. This persuasion is a strong support to him under all his trials —
Many are the difficulties of the Christian's warfare: but a persuasion of God's ability to keep him,
1. Encourages him to duty —
[The path of duty is sometimes exceeding difficult : and too many have fainted in it, or been diverted from it. But we may see in the Hebrew Youths what a persuasion of God's power will effect. They braved the furnace itself, from the consideration that God could deliver them from it, or support them in the midst of it". And thus will evei'y Christian " encourage himself in God," and " be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might."]
2. Strengthens him for conflict —
[Under temptations of Satan, or the hidings of God's face, the most exalted Christian would sink, if he were not supported by this hope : " I had fainted," says David, " unless I had believed verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." But the thought that the grace of Christ is sufficient for him, will turn all his sorrows into joy": he will chide his dejected spiritP, and return again to the charge, knowing that at last " he shall be more than conqueror through Him that loved him*!."]
3. Enables him to endure sufferings —
[Many and great were the sufferings of St. Paul ; yet says he, " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear imto myself." Thus every Christian must " go through much tribulation in the way to the kingdom :" but he learns, not only to bear, but to " glory in tribulation," because it gives him a more enlarged experience of God's power and grace, and thereby confirms his hope, which shall never make him ashamed"".]
4. Assures him of final victory —
[Those who have not just views of God are left in painful suspense : but they who know whom they have believed, are as much assured of victory, as if all their enemies were lying dead at their feet^]
n Dan. iii. 17, 18. " 2 Cor. xii. 9. and Rom. vii. 24.
P Ps. xlii. 11. 1 Rom. viii. 37. "^ Rom. v. 3—5.
8 Compare Isai. 1. 7 — 9. with Rom. viii. 33 — 39.