be asked for
this blessing.

II. The following means, however, ought to be used: 1, The careful
reading of the word of God, combined with meditation on it. Through
reading of the word of God, and especially through meditation on the
word of God, the believer becomes more and more acquainted with the
nature and character of God, and thus sees more and more, besides His
holiness and justice, what a kind, loving, gracious, merciful,
mighty, wise, and faithful Being He is, and, therefore, in poverty,
affliction of body, bereavement in his family, difficulty in his
service, want of a situation or employment, he will repose upon the
ability of God to help him, because he has not only learned from His
word that He is of almighty power and infinite wisdom, but he has
also seen instance upon instance in the Holy Scriptures in which His
almighty power and infinite wisdom have been actually exercised in
helping and delivering His people; and he will repose upon the
willingness of God to help him, because he has not only learned from
the Scriptures what a kind, good, merciful, gracious, and faithful
being God is, but because he has also seen in the word of God, how in
a great variety of instances He has proved Himself to be so. And the
consideration of this, if God has become known to us through prayer
and meditation on His own word, will lead us, in general at least,
with a measure of confidence to rely upon Him: and thus the reading
of the word of God, together with meditation on it, will be one
especial means to strengthen our faith. 2, As with reference to the
growth of every grace of the Spirit, it is of the utmost importance
that we seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience, and,
therefore, do not knowingly and habitually indulge in those things
which are contrary to the mind of God, so it is also particularly the
case with reference to the growth in faith. How can I possibly
continue to act faith upon God, concerning any thing, if I am
habitually grieving Him, and seek to detract from the glory and
honour of Him in whom I profess to trust, upon whom I profess to
depend? All my confidence towards God, all my leaning upon Him in the
hour of trial will be gone, if I have a guilty conscience, and do not
seek to put away this guilty conscience, but still continue to do
things which are contrary to the mind of God. And if, in any
particular instance, I cannot trust in God, because of the guilty
conscience, then my