The troubles of the Church are called in the text, _a fall_, and so it is: and they are likewise described as _sitting in darkness_. _Sitting_—no doubt this is intended to shew that their trials were to be of a long duration. The captivity lasted seventy years; but the Lord assured them he would not leave them in that state, and at the close of the allotted time, he would appear for their deliverance. These things were written for our instruction and comfort. The Lord has promised to deliver us, and he will be our helper until that time comes, then he will appear in his own way, and cause us to subscribe with the hand _God is faithful_. How long our trials may last on the present occasion, we know not; but of this we are certain, that the God of all grace who hath called us to his kingdom and glory—after we have suffered a while will make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us—only we want patience to have her perfect work, that after we have done the will of God by suffering, we may receive the promises of deliverance. All is dark at present, evidences of interest are very low; a gloomy cloud sits on the Tabernacle—providences are very dark, and we may be much in the dark about God’s designs, and this darkness may continue a long time. Here some Believers are said to walk in darkness, without light; though the darkness of ignorance is past, yet much still remains, and we are the subjects of much darkness within as well as without; yet we are encouraged to trust in Jesus, and stay our minds upon a God in Christ, until sensible comforts and conspicuous deliverances arise—and they will come, the morning will dawn, Jesus will appear, though it may not be until the fourth watch of the night, then he may shew himself, treading on the proud waves of our trouble, and enemies, and until then the Lord has promised to be our strength and our comfort. Faith being enabled to give credit to the word of Jesus confidently asserts, _When I fall I shall arise_—when I fall into trouble, the Lord will take that opportunity to alarm my fears, and stir me up to prayer. This will lead faith to act upon its proper object; for prayer and faith are inseparable companions—faith without prayer is presumption, and prayer without faith is ignorance. Fervency in prayer, strengthens faith, and confidence is the assurance of faith; this is begot in the mind by the Spirit, and encouraged by many sweet tokens of covenant love; and the church having been so highly favoured, was enabled to believe the Lord would be with her, according to his word; and though it was her misery to fall into trouble, yet it was her mercy that the Lord had engaged to be with her in trouble, and she was enabled to triumph: when I fall, that fall will terminate for my good, for all things work together for good to them that love God, as well as all things work together for evil against them that hate God. This confidence, founded on the person of Christ, his work,