This is a very encouraging character. They who cannot claim the higher distinctions of religion, may surely know that they "fear God, and hope in his mercy."
Some may wonder at the combination, and suppose that the qualities are incompatible with each other; but the first Christians "walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost." They may think that the fear will injure the hope, or the hope the fear ; but these are mutually helpful, and they are not only never so beautiful, but never so influential as when they are blended. The fear promotes hope, by the evidence it affords, and by keeping us from loose and careless walking, which must always affect our peace and pleasure. And hope no less befriends this fear; for never is God seen so glorious, so worthy of all our devotedness to Him, as when we hope in his mercy ; and even the more assured we are of his regard, the more we shall inquire, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? the more we shall tremble at the thought of offending and grieving him, the more we shall continue upon our knees, praying, " Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and my redeemer." It is called "a lively hope ;" and Christians know by experience, that upon all their principles and duties it has the same influence as the spring has upon the fields and the gardens.
Despondence of mind has the same effect upon our feelings and obedience as frost upon the stream it chills, hardens, and stagnates ; but divine love dissolves the ice, and the waters flow.
God is a Spirit, and has none of our senses and members ; but in speaking to us, He makes use of language that we can understand: "His eye is upon there that fear Him, upon them that hope in his mercy."
The eyes of his knowledge are upon them. Every thing in their affairs comes under his notice. He knows all their walking through this great wilderness. Nothing befalls them without their heavenly Father. Parents cannot always have their eye upon a child. They may be engaged, they may be afar off, they may be asleep. But He is always at hand ; he is never diverted or perplexed ; he never slumbers or sleeps.
The eyes of his affection are upon them. The eye not only affecteth the heart, but follows it. It turns with the object of attachment : it sparkles with delight while dwelling upon it; and when deprived of the sight, continues looking in the direction of departure, as the disciples stood gazing up towards heaven after their beloved Saviour. Oh, to be the object of God's love ; to be precious in his sight, and honorable! But he "takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." "He will rest in his love: he will joy over them with singing."
The eyes of His providence are upon them. Therefore it is added,
"To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine:'' that is---for a part is put for the whole----to secure them from all danger, and to supply all their wants. In cases the most perilous and extreme, He is able to do for them exceeding abundantly above all they can ask or think. We are not to look for miracles, but it is only because the power and truth of God can do without them.
"For sooner all nature shall change
Than one of God's promises fail."
How safe and how happy are they
Who on the good Shepherd rely:
He gives them out strength for their day;
Their wants He will surely supply.
He ravens and lions can
tame;
All creatures obey his command;
Then let me rejoice in his
name,
And leave all my cares in his band."
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TO REV. WILLIAM JAY'S HOMEPAGE
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TO REV. THOMAS BOSTON'S HOMEPAGE
