time, and death set them free from disappointment and from pain. He, therefore, that trusts in God will no longer be distracted in his search after happiness, for he will find it in a firm belief, that whatever evils are suffered to befall him will finally contribute to his felicity; and that by staying his mind upon the Lord, he will be kept in peace.
But God has promised this protection, not indiscriminately to all, but to those only who endeavour to obtain it, by complying with the conditions which he has prescribed; nor is the perfect peace, which the confidence of Divine support confers, to be hoped for but by those who have obtained a well-grounded trust in him; and by the practice of his precepts, have stayed their minds upon him. It is, therefore, necessary to inquire,
Secondly: How this trust is to be attained.
That there is a fallacious and precipitate trust in God, a trust which, as it is not founded upon God's promises, will in the end be disappointed, we are informed by our Saviour himself: "Many will say unto me, in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works? and then I will profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Those who contented themselves with believing, and professing Christianity, without obeying its precepts; those, who while they call the great Author of our faith their Lord, their Master, and their God, yet neglect his precepts and work iniquity, will be rejected by him at the last day, as those whom he has never known; those to whom his regard was never extended, and, notwithstanding the confidence with which they may claim his intercession, will not be distinguished, by any favour, from other sinners.
Trust in God, that trust to which perfect peace is promised, is to be obtained only by repentance, obedience, and supplication, not by nourishing in our own hearts a
