charge over thee to
keep thee in all thy ways;"[3] "Fear not, little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."[4] "Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid;"[5] "I will never leave
thee nor forsake thee."[6]

{191}

What completer assurance can we ask of the Holy Spirit than these
repeated promises that God will fight for us, defend us on every side,
and give us the victory? and he who fears to rise and go forward in the
face of such assurances, is assuming that the Spirit has spoken
falsely, or that God will not keep His word.

II. _A Tranquil Sorrow_

Our penitence, though prompt and swift, must withal be tranquil. True
penitence allows no place for excitability.

(1) Because it grasps the truth that our fall was not a matter for
surprise. It was only what we are to expect when, failing to use the
grace God constantly offers, we venture upon our own strength. The
only wonder and surprise should be that we do not fail a hundred times
more frequently.

(2) Because surprise at falling indicates pride. We imagined we were
strong. In self-righteousness we prided ourselves on our security, and
we found that "security is the suburbs of hell." But true penitence
knows no such pride, and therefore feels no surprise. The broken and
contrite heart is, of necessity, the humble heart; it is the heart that
thanks God with wondering gratitude for every hour of faithfulness to
Him.

(3) Again, true penitence is tranquil because {192} it is sure of
acceptance at the Father's hands. Perturbation in its approach to God
would indicate uncertainty of mind as to its reception; and this would
mean a lack of trust in His promises. Consider again what the promises
are: "Turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness";[7] "To the Lord our God belong
mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him; neither
have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God;"[8] "Him that cometh to
Me I will in no wise cast out";[9] "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin."[10]

Can the heart desiring to return to the allegiance of our God have any
qualm of doubt in the face of such promises? If there is true
penitence, rather will it return in a confident peace, knowing with a
most assured certainty that "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting
to everlasting upon them that fear Him."[11]

(4) The penitent