Real and Glorious Prospects.
By J. Sawyer
WHATEVER depths or difficulties we still anxiously behold lying before us, if we were only in the vigorous exercise of a true and lively faith, we might easily surmount them all, and leave them behind us. For faith substantiates what is hoped for, and evidences the things which are not seen. What is it that makes us tremble? Is it even the waves of death itself? Let us embark only in the sweet promise of the Saviour, "I will come again and receive you to myself," and we have already surmounted these. Is it the storm of temptation? Let us commit the keeping of body, soul and spirit to him who has promised that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it;" and the severest and most violent temptations will thus become powerless to us. Does the remainder of our innate corruptions dismay us so that we are ready to ask, How shall we become perfectly holy? let us reflect that Christ is "made of God unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Are we disposed to entertain anxious presentiments of temporal and spiritual troubles? Let us remember that each day is ordered by almighty and everlasting love, and brings with it that measure of the bitter and the sweet, which, according to the judgment of infinite Wisdom, is the most conducive to our true peace and welfare. What glorious prospects are placed before us, and how real they are to every sincere member of Christ! Those whose hearts are set upon gaining, by Divine strength, a complete victory over their innate corruptions, may rest assured of their final triumph, and say with the Psalmist, "I will behold thy face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness." Psa. xvii, 15.—Copied for Review from Elijah the Tishbite by J. Sawyer.