266 FAITH HUTLT ON KNOWLEDGE. [MSC. X; joys, when the light of his countenance is concealed, and darkness lies upon the spirit, the believer holds fast his hope, though his rejoicings are interrupted ; for he has committed his soul to the care of Christ, who has full in- terest with the Father, and can prevail for the recovery of his joys again. While he " walks in darkness, and has nó light of comfort, still he can trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God ;" Is. 1. lo. Under sickness, and pains of nature, that threaten a dissolution of the body, the pillow of a believer lies easy tinder his head for his soul, his dearest part is in safe keeping and cannot perish. Amidst all the languishings of nature, we have often heard the triumphs of grace from the mouth of a lively christian. " If I walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ; for my almighty Friend is with me;" Ps. xxiii.. 4. I know that if : the tabernacle of this earthlyhouse be dissolved, I have'a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. There is a mansion above prepared for me by him, who has the care of my eternity. He went up on high, on purpose to prepare a . place, and he will come again, and take me to himself; that where he is, there I may be also ; if it were not so, he would have told me; for I know whom I have trusted; and whither he is gone I know, and the way I know;" Cor. v. i. John xiv. 2, 3, 4. Upon this view and assurance, the dyingsaint attempts the praises of his Lord, and practises something like the worship of heaven before-hand : To lhinz that is able to keep mefroinfalling, and will present mefaultless before the presence of his glory with exceedingjoy, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.' Amen. Jude 24, 25. Vth Remark. See whence ariseth the divine and ama- zingcourage that some christians have expressed under the foulest reproachesand sharpest sufferings for the sake of the gospel. This holy fortitude springs from a good acquaintance with the person of Christ, and a full per- suasion of hisability to save. When we are ignorant and in the dark, we are afraid ofevery thing, but courage is the effect of light and .knowledge. A faith that is well founded on a due knowledge of Christ, can raise the suf, fering christian above the power of shame and fear.
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