RULES TOB. OBTAINING FORGITBENESS. 289 the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the earlier and the latter rain." James, 5 : 7. And is light sown for them that are in darkness, arid shall they stifle the seed under the clods, or spoil the tender blade that is springing up, or refuse to wait for the watering and dews of the Spirit that may bring it forth to perfection? Waiting on God is the only way to establishment and assurance. We can- not speed by our haste; yea, nothing puts the end so far away as malting too much haste in our journey. The ground is, that a sense of a special interest in forgiveness and acceptance is given to the soul by an act of sovereign grace. It is not secured by any ra- tional conclusions or deductions that we can make. The peace and rest sought for come from mere prero- gative. " When he giveth quietness, who can make trouble l and when he hideth his face, who can behold him I" Job, 34 : 29. Does not the nature of the thing require humble waiting on God l If, then, either im- patience cast the soul into frowardness, or weariness make it slothful, which are the two ways whereby wait- ing is ruined, let not such an one expect any comfort- able issue of his contending for deliverance out of his depths. Men may indulge their own reasonings, may lay down propositions apparently ever so conclusive, and yet be far enough from that sweet consolation, joy and assurance which God alone can give. Yea, a man may sometimes gather up consolation to himself upon such terms, but it will not abide. David, Psalm 30 : 6, 7', argued that his mountain was made strong, and he should never be moved. But in the midst of these pleasing thoughts God hides his face, and he is troubled; Furtiveness,. 13
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