Christ,”—says, “but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our flesh.” {21a} Still, they who have learnt, through grace, to confide, with the simplicity of a child, on the power, care, and love of their heavenly Father, will, amid difficulties and dangers, “prove more than conquerors, through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us;” and will repose, with firm faith, pious hope, and holy confidence, on His protection, IN WHOSE HANDS ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE AND DEATH; and who has said, by the mouth of his prophets, “THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID FOR ANY TERROR BY NIGHT, NOR FOR THE ARROW THAT FLIETH BY DAY; FOR THE PESTILENCE WHICH WALKETH IN DARKNESS, NOR FOR THE SICKNESS WHICH DESTROYETH IN THE NOON-DAY. A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.” {21b} There are some sincere Christians, who, from natural timidity of disposition, or from constitutional debility, are peculiarly susceptible of fear; and distress themselves by considering such fear a proof that they do not possess the favour of God. Let them earnestly pray for that holy and firm faith, which disarms apprehension under great and imminent peril; but if they do not obtain it, let them not despond, but continue their prayers; it may be a blessing which Heaven has still in store for them. But if not, _having learnt submission to the Divine will_, let them draw comfort from words which should be so deeply engraved on the memory, as to be ever remembered, and speak peace, in their moments of doubt and alarm, to their troubled souls: “FEAR THOU NOT; FOR I AM WITH THEE: BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM THY GOD: I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE; YEA, I WILL HELP THEE; YEA, I WILL UPHOLD THEE WITH THE RIGHT HAND OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.” {22a}—“The truth is, the greater our fears and sorrows and aversions are, the greater is our submission to God: it may be thought a great weakness of nature to be so afraid of our sufferings; but it argues the greater strength of faith, and is a more glorious victory over self, to make our very fears and aversions submit to the Divine will. Submission to God does not consist in courage and fortitude of mind to bear sufferings, which many have, without any sense of God, and which the profoundest reverence for God will not always teach us; but he submits, who receives the bitter cup and drinks it, though with a trembling heart and hand.” {22b}