4. The most kind and encouraging promises of assistance and acceptance are given to the weak in faith.

The shepherd is most concerned for the feeble in his flock; and the parent for the sick and languishing in his family. And the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls has shown the most deep and lively solicitude for the safety and comfort of the timid, the dejected, and desponding. His charge to Peter was, to feed his lambs. He enjoins ministers to strengthen the weak hands and to confirm the feeble knees; to say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense: he will come and save you. Ages before his appearance, it was foretold that a bruised reed he should not break, and smoking flax he should not quench. He commenced his ministry by declaring, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted. He pronounces blessings not only on those who are strong in faith, rich in grace, and full of spiritual joy; but also on the poor in spirit, on those that mourn, and that hunger and thirst for righteousness. He feeds his flock as a shepherd; gathers the lambs with his arm, carries them in his bosom; and gently leads those that are with young. He seeks that which was lost; brings again that which was driven away; strengthens the weak, and binds up that which is broken. He makes his grace sufficient for us; and perfects his strength in our weakness.

What is the meaning of all this, but saying in plain terms; that, wherever there is a spiritual and gracious principle implanted in the heart, it will not be overlooked, destroyed, nor lost; but protected, strengthened, and confirmed, till made meet for eternal glory.

Whenever, therefore, you are apprehensive that your state is dangerous because your faith is weak, your wisdom is to search more for the evidences of its reality than of its strength. In sickness, though the patient is without present vigour, it is encouraging to find the symptoms of returning health. And in a state of religious languor and despondence, it is delightful to be able to discover

the proofs of a sound and genuine, though not of a lively and overcoming faith. Has your faith led you to submit to the Saviour, and to yield a cordial obedience to his laws? Has it brought you to rest on him as all your salvation and all your desire? If it has: then you may see your calling and election of God. He who is great, has done great things for you. And having begun a good work in you, he will perform it unto the day of Christ.

For a season you may be unable to realize your high privileges. But hold fast that which you have. Wait on the Lord and keep his way. Cast not away the beginning of your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward: for he is faithful who hath promised, who also will do it. Though your beginning is small, your latter end shall greatly increase. The most majestic oak was once an acorn. The mightiest river when traced to its source, is found to be but a diminutive stream. And what was the most illustrious saint that ever blessed the church on earth, or entered the world of glory, at the commencement of his career, but a babe in Christ? Give, therefore, earnest heed to the things belonging to your peace. Strive to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and you also shall be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. Christ will dwell in your hearts by faith; till being rooted and grounded in love, you shall be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.

If, therefore, that faith which in one situation or char. acter is regarded as strong, may in another be considered as weak; if faith is sometimes strongest, when the believer suspects that it is weakest; if the promise of salvation is annexed, not to strong and lively, but to real and living faith; and if the most kind and animating assurances of assistance and acceptance are given to the weak in faith; then, if you have evidence that your faith is real, though far from possessing all the strength that you wish, you

have reason to rejoice, and to apply to yourselves the consolations and hopes of the gospel.

But whilst these things are mentioned for the encouragement of the humble and timid, who are ready to suspect from the weakness of their faith, that they have no grace at all: remember that it can administer no comfort to any who are willing to remain in such a state of languor and debility. What would you think of the sick man, who is glad that he is alive, but gives himself no concern for the recovery of his health? of the merchant, who, while struggling with all the embarrassments of bankruptcy and poverty, is delighted that he is out of jail, but makes no effort to secure wealth and independence? And can we regard that professor as a sound and genuine christian, who is satisfied because he fancies that he possesses the root and principle of the divine life, whilst he makes no exertion to be strong in faith, and to abound in the fruits of righteousness and in the joys and comforts of the Holy Ghost? The most active and industrious man alive may be siezed with indisposition, and prevented for a time from pursuing his ordinary avocations: but he has no love for his malady nor any wish for its continuance. The most pious, zealous, and heavenly-minded believer may labour under occasional languor and infirmity: but this is not a state in which he would willingly remain. He resists these attacks of drowsiness and indifference. He endeavours to shake off his torpor and inactivity. He forgets the things that are behind, and reaches forth unto those things that are before. And if you have any genuine acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus, your religion will operate in a similar manner. You will be grieved and ashamed on account of your infirmities and imperfections. You will every day be engaged in fervent prayer and strenuous efforts, to become more watchful, humble, spiritual, and holy. For the path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The righteous holdeth on his way, and he that hath clean hands waxeth stronger and stronger.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

"Arise, my soul, from deep distress,
And banish every fear;

God calls thee to his throne of grace,
To spread thy sorrows there."

SINCE faith enters so materially into all the duties and enjoyments of the Christian life; and since our happiness and holiness depend so much upon its strength and liveliness; it is an object of great importance to know by what means it may be most effectually established and maintained in the soul, and endowed with the most steady and commanding influence over the mind. For this purpose it is necessary to add,

III. A few directions to those who are weak in faith.

I. Pore not upon the difficulties and dangers of your situation, but look directly to the perfect and adorable character of that God who invites your trust.

Sense and reason are weak and cowardly. The range of their observation is low and contracted, and the amount of their resources is limited and paltry. They magnify every real difficulty; and frequently increase our embarrassments and fears, by conjuring up ideal dangers. They tremble at the shaking of a leaf; and maintain that every new and unknown trouble is utterly insupportable and absolutely destructive. They tell us that this sin can never be forgiven, that this corruption never

can be subdued, that this duty never can be fulfilled, nor that trial endured.

If, therefore, you listen to their suggestions, you never -can be established, nor blessed with settled and composing rest. You will be like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

But if you will withdraw your ears from their dark and revolting representations, and fix your eye on the wisdom and grace of Him who gave the promises, and whose power and faithfulness are engaged to make them good: where is there an enemy that can shake your confidence, or an event that ought to disturb your peace?

Your path may be intricate. You may be unable to discover any issue from your perplexities and troubles. But because it is hid from your view, is it concealed from the all-penetrating eye of the Omniscient? He knows the close, as thoroughly as the commencement of your trials. He sees the end from the beginning. His wisdom is unsearchable. His understanding is infinite.— And though you cannot, he knows well how to deliver the godly out of temptation.

Your guilt may be great and your corruptions dreadful. But has he not laid your help on one mighty to save? has not Jesus finished transgression, and made an end of sin? Is there any passion so strong and turbulent, that his almighty arm is unable to reduce it to subjection? any corruption so inveterate that he cannot eradicate? or any guilt too great for him, whose blood cleanseth from all sin, to wash away? If they would only take refuge there, there is strength sufficient behind the shield of his atonement, to defend a whole apostate universe from the visitations of almighty vengeance. How much more then must he possess the power, upon your humble contrite application, to forgive all your sins, and grant your salvation with eternal glory?

Your enemies may be restless and rancorous, and your dangers apparently insurmountable and overwhelming. But is there any thing too hard for the Lord? He speaks, and it is done: he commands, and all things stand fast. He doeth whatsoever pleaseth him in heaven, and in