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 the
valley
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
earthly
house
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 dying
saint attempts
the
praises
of
his Lord,
and practises something like the
worship
of
heaven before
-hand
:
To
lhinz
that
is
able to
keep me
froin
falling,
and
will
present mefaultless
before
the
presence
of
his
glory
with
exceeding
joy,
be
glory
and
majesty,
dominion
and
power,
both
now
and
ever.'
Amen.
Jude
24, 25.
Vth Remark.
See
whence ariseth the divine
and ama-
zing
courage
that
some
christians have expressed
under
the foulest reproaches
and 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
his
ability
to save.
When
we
are ignorant
and
in
the dark,
we
are afraid
of
every
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.