Now, let me ask you a question. "Which of these two houses, think you, was the safer?" Do you say the second, where all were so peaceful? Nay, then, you are wrong. Both are safe alike. Their safety depends upon what God thinks about the blood outside, and not upon the state of their feelings inside.

If you would be sure of your own blessing, listen not to the unstable testimony of inward emotions, but to the infallible witness of the Word of God. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).

Let me give you a simple illustration from everyday life. A certain farmer in the country, not having sufficient grass for his cattle, applies for a nice piece of pasture land which he hears is to be let near his own house. For some time he gets no answer from the landlord. One day a neighbour comes in, and says, "I feel quite sure you will get that field. Don't you recollect how that last Christmas he sent you a special present of game, and that he gave you a kind nod of recognition the other day when he drove past in the carriage?" And with such like words the farmer's mind is filled with sanguine hopes.

Next day another neighbour meets him, and in course of conversation he says, "I'm afraid you will stand no chance whatever of getting that grass-field. Mr. _____ has applied for it, and you cannot but be aware what a favourite he is with the Squire - occasionally visits him," and so on. And the poor farmer's bright hopes are dashed to the ground and burst like soap-bubbles. One day he is hoping, the next day full of perplexing doubts.

Presently the postman calls, and the farmer's heart beats fast as he breaks the seal of the letter, for he sees by the handwriting that it is from the Squire himself. See his countenance change from anxious suspense to undisguised joy as he reads and rereads that letter.

"It's a settled thing now," exclaims he to his wife. No more doubts and fears about it; "hopes" and "ifs" are things of the past. "The Squire says the field is mine as long as I require it, on the most easy terms, and that's enough for me. I care for no man's opinion now. His word settles all!"

How many a poor soul is in a like condition to that of the poor, troubled farmer - tossed and perplexed by the opinions of men, or the thoughts and feelings of his own treacherous heart; and it is only upon receiving the Word of God, that certainty takes the place of doubts and peradventures. When God speaks there must be certainty, whether He pronounces the damnation of the unbeliever, or the salvation of the believer.

"For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89); and to the simple-hearted believer HIS WORD SETTLES ALL.

"Hath he said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).

"But how may I be sure that I have the right kind of faith?" Well, there can be but one answer to that question. "Have you placed your confidence in the right person, in the blessed Son of God?"

It is not question of the amount of your faith, but of the trustworthiness of the person you repose your confidence in. One