fears. He has taken the Almighty to be his shield and his strong tower, and under His protection it is impossible that any harm can happen to him. Suppose then it comes to this, that, if he persist in the discharge of his duty, he must run the hazard of injuring his worldly interests, of displeasing his friends, of bringing himself into perplexity and danger. The man who trusteth in the Lord finds comparatively little difficulty in acting upon his principles with firmness and consistency. Thus when the enemies of Daniel, in order to ruin him, procured a decree from their unthinking king, that for the space of thirty days no man should pray to any one but him, the prophet, fearing the anger of Almighty God rather than the displeasure of the king, kneeled down upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime; and the living God, whom he served continually, and in whom he trusted, delivered him out of the mouth of the lions, "because he believed in his God'." What a striking 1 Dan. vi. 10-23. instance also of this holy boldness and noble integrity have we in the history of the three young men in the book of this same prophet Daniel, when the king of Babylon threatened them "in his rage and fury," that if they would not worship the golden image he had set up, they should be “cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who,”—said he,—“ who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter; if it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up'.' But time would fail us to tell of all those heroes and servants of God in old time, who trusted in Him, and were delivered out of all evil, and enabled to triumph over 1 Dan. iii. 13-18. every fear, and to resist all the seductive wiles of the world and the devil. Are we tempted to sacrifice our religion to our worldly interests? Let us think of Moses, who "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward '." Are we tempted to be impatient for this world's goods? Let us remember Abraham, how he sware by "the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth," that he would not take any thing from the king of Sodom, "lest," saith he, "thou shouldst say, I have made Abram rich 2." Think also of David, how he endured the sufferings which the wickedness of Saul had brought upon him, and refused to draw his sword and take the crown and kingdom which God had promised him; assured that God was able to fulfil His 'Heb. xi. 24-26. 2 Gen. xiv. 22, 23. promise in His own good time'. Are we tempted to think that we may advance the interest of religion by compromising our principles, by unnatural alliances with men who are not serving God? Let us remember the answer of the Jews when their enemies offered to assist them in rebuilding the temple: "Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel 2." And they did build an house, for the Lord was with them. To proceed no further with this matter, it is plain, that the man who trusts in God and acknowledges Him in all his ways, is the only man whose virtue can be safely relied on. He only has real purity and integrity of heart. He only can be depended on for any steadiness, uniformity, and consistency of conduct. Place him in what situation you will, he has got that within him which will preserve him from dishonouring God under any circumstances. In prosperity he fears God: in adversity he will not depart from God. His soul rests unmoved on the eternity of God's love; on His almighty power to save Him ; on the truth of His promises, and His everlasting covenant. "He shall not be afraid," saith the Scripture, "of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord1:" and the Lord in whom he has put his confidence will never leave him nor forsake him. He is able to keep him from falling, and shortly to bruise Satan under his feet 3. "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: the Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul +" III. Certainly, if these things be true, we shall not need many words to prove the truth of our third argument, that the man is blessed that putteth his trust in the Lord, because he is truly happy. For he can scarcely be miserable, or long continue so, who is possessed of wisdom and virtue; delivered from the unhappiness of a confused and erring imagination, and possessed of a mind, thus regulated and self-possessed, thus free 1 Ps. cxii. 7. 3 Rom. xvi. 20. 24. 2 Jude ver. |