238 DYING THOUGHTS. promises. Thou hiist promist'il ' rest to weary souls that come to thee.' I am weary of suffering, sin, and flesh ; weary of my darkness, dulness, and distance. Whither should I look for rest, but to my heavenly Father? I am but a' bruised reed,' hut thou ' wilt not break' me.- I am but 'smoking flax,' but thou 'wilt not quench' what thy grace hath kindled. Thou, in whose name the nations trust, ' ·wilt bring forth judgment unto victory. The Lord redeemeth the souls of his servants, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. I will wait on thy name, for it ls good; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him. Sinful fear brings a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust. Thou art my hope, 0 Lord God, thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up fi·om the womb, my praise shall be continually of thee. Mine eyes are unto thee, 0 God, the Lord! in thee is my trust, leave not my soul destitute. I had fainted, unless I had believed to sec the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,' even where they that live shall die no more." The sun may cease to shine on man, and the earth to bear us ; but God will never cease to be faithful to his promises. Blessed be. the Lord, who has eommanded me so safe and quieting a duty, as to trust in him, and east all my eares upon him, who has promised to care for me! I will hope fm· the salvation of God. Hope is the ease, yea the life of our hearts, which would otherwise break, and even die, within us. Despair is no small part of hell. God eherishes hope, as he is the lover of souls. Satan, our enemy, eherishes desj?air, when his more usual way of presumption fails. Hope anticipates salvation, as , fear does evil. It is the hypocrite's hope that perishes ; and all who hope for durable happiness on e11rtb, mu$t be deceived.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=