DEPTHS OF SIN. 17 of God's love, and our relation to him in Christ. This, or the immediate effect of it, is called " joy unspeak- able, and full of glory." 1 Pet. 1 : 8. The Holy Ghost shining into the heart, with a clear evidence of the soul's interest in all Gospel mercies, causes it to leap for joy, to exult and triumph in the Lord ; as being for a season carried above all sense and thought of sin; self, temp- tation, or trouble. But as God gives the bread of his house unto all his children, so these dainties and high cordials he reserves only for the seasons and persons, wherein, and to whom, he knows them to be needful and useful. Believers maybe without this sense of love, and yet be in no depths. Again, there is an abiding sense of God's love upon the hearts of those of whomwe speak, who have long had communion with God, consisting in a prevailing Gospel persuasion that they are accepted with God, in Christ. " Being justified by faith, we have peace with God." Rom. 5 : 1. This is the root from whence spring all that peace and ordinary consolation of which believ- ers in this world are made partakers. This is that which quickens and enlivens them to duty, Psalm 116 : 12, 13, and is the salt that renders their sacrifices and perform- ances savory to God and refreshing to themselves. This supports them under their trials, gives them peace, hope and comfort in life and death. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." Psalm 23 : 4. A sense of God's presence in love is sufficient to rebuke all anxiety and fears ; and not only so, but to give, in the midst of them, solid consolation and joy. So the prophet ex- presses it, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine, the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=