where it will be plainly seen in so many places, that no one who trusted in God has ever been brought to confusion.
The fourth means is this, (and this will serve both to acquire distrust of self, as well as trust in God,)—when any thing occurs to be done, or some struggle with self has to be met, and you desire to overcome yourself, before you propose or make any resolution, consider first your own weakness; then, full of self-distrust, turn to the Divine Power, Wisdom and Goodness, and in reliance upon these, commence the action or conflict with fearlessness. Armed with these weapons, and with prayer (of which I shall speak presently), go forth to battle and to action.
Unless you observe this order, though you may think you are acting in reliance upon God, you will find generally that you are mistaken. For presumption is so natural and common to man, and withal so subtle, that it secretly lurks under an imagined self-distrust, and the trust we fancy we place in God.
To escape, then, as far as possible, from presumption, and to work in the spirit of self-distrust and trust in God, the consideration of your own weakness must go before the consideration of God's power, and both should precede all your actions.
