With such thoughts as these all rebellion is hushed! With what peace, what joy, our work may be begun, continued, interrupted, and resumed!
With what energy we reject those enemies that assail us at every hour,—idleness, haste, preoccupation, success, want of perseverance under difficulties!
Does the past sometimes rise up to trouble me with the thought of the many years spent without God?
Ah! no doubt the shame and grief are sharp and keen, but why need they disturb my peace of mind?
Has not God promised His pardon for His blessed Son's sake, to all who [pg 143] truly repent and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel? Have I made a full avowal and entire submission? and am I not willing to fulfil whatever I am advised in God's Name to do for the future?
Does the future in its turn seem to frighten me? I smile at the foolish fancies of my imagination; is not my future in God's Hands?
What, when all that will befall me to-morrow, next year, ten years, twenty years hence, is ordained by Him, shall I distress myself with the thought that it may not be good for me!
Lord! be Thou my Guide, and choose my lot as may seem best to Thee!