He who never doubts his sincerity to God has great reason to suspect his knowledge of himself. A hypocrite cannot be a christian; yet there is hypocrisy in the fallen nature of every christian. Such are ever suspecting themselves. At times they fear lest they should turn out mere hypocrites at last: this is a proof that their hearts are upright with Christ: their fears and suspicions are a blessed means of keeping them from falling away from him. Righteous souls pass through many dark hours: sometimes they are put to a stand, ready to question if they have any interest in Christ; for they have a nature in which dwells every evil which wars against God, and the peace, holiness, and comfort of their souls: hence they are sometimes in seasons of darkness; they see not things in the light of truth; they enjoy not the comfort of the truth, that they are righteous in the righteousness of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:21, and made upright by his grace.
Upright souls mourn in darkness, and desire ever to walk in the light; yes, says St. Peter, ye "greatly rejoice'' in the salvation of Jesus, "though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." If need be! O, what need can there be? He tells us, "that the trial of your faith might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." I Pet. 1:6, 7. Tried faith is true faith. True faith stands the fire of temptation; trusts Christ in heaviness; stays upon him in darkness; for at all times, in all seasons, under all circumstances, light and gladness are sown for you, and in due season shall spring up in you. Where are they sown? Where every covenant blessing is reaped: in Jesus, the surety of the covenant. Heb. 7:22. All natural light flows from the sun: all spiritual light flows from Christ, the Sun of righteousness, who saith, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, hut shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
Is light sown in Christ for us? Let us with David claim in faith, "the Loan is MY light, and my salvation." Psalm 27:1. Does gladness of heart spring from Christ? Then say, "My meditations of him shall be sweet, I will be glad in the Lord." Psalm 104:34. Thus faith is tried and proved in the darkest hour: thus it manifests itself to be the faith of God's elect; for it cleaves to Jesus, God's "elect, in whom God's soul delighteth." Isaiah 42:1.
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