is there any reason to doubt the word and promise of Him who is truth itself?
It is for this reason that hope has been compared to the anchor of a ship, and this comparison is consecrated by the Apostle St. Paul in his Epistles.
Should a vessel lose all its rigging in a tempest, if there still remain an anchor> there is hope that the crew may yet be saved.
The same thing might be said of the confidence in God; and it was for want of having recourse to this that Cain and Judas perished in their sins.
The first had angered God by jealousy and a cruel fratricide; but what put the climax to the curse was Cain saying in despair, "My crime is too great for any hope of pardon."
The second repents of the shameful treachery he had committed against the Son of God; but, says St. Chrysostom, had he confided in the goodness of his Divine Master, had he returned to implore His mercy, our dear Redeemer, who pardoned St. Peter and who prayed for His executioners, would no doubt have led this traitor back to penance.
This confidence in God has also another advantage: it is a mighty help against temptations. This is what the Gospel says so plainly, "In hope you will find your strength; " and again, " I shall hope, and there will be nothing to weaken me." In fine, what more powerful than having confidence in God?
To confide in God, is to lean upon Him. It is to call for His assistance, His goodness, His truth, His power.
With such arms, what can any one fear; for what can prevail against God? Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, conformatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur. It is in this confidence that one finds such fervent charity. This is easy to see by the difference there is between a presuming
