2d. A few considerations which tend to enable the Christian to exercise confidence in God in great tribulation. Consciousness of God's mercy and love. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." "Behold what manner of love," &c. God's love shown in many ways. His providence, bestowment of temporal blessings, &c.; but all these are crowned by the gift of his Son. "Greater love hath no man than this." "God commended his love to us," &c.
This great love and mercy continues the same, though we are afflicted. Earthly parents do not love their children less when they see reproof and correction are needed. God declares that he chasteneth every son whom he loveth, and because he loveth him. We know that God's chastening is always in wisdom. "With judgment," that is, wisdom, with good design.
The memory of God's former dealings, what he has done for us and been to us. When God would rescue his people from their sufferings in Egypt, he inspired confidence by declaring through Moses, that, "I am that I am" had come to redeem them. I am all that I have been to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I, who have shown such great love in the past, I am that I am speaketh to you. So with the Christian in affliction, He "who hath redeemed him chasteneth him," and he cries, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in HIM."
God's precious promises. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." "He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, shall he not with him freely give us all things?" With him, that is, to those who have embraced him, who are brought nigh by his blood, made "one in him."
