and believe in Me.' The two alternatives are
possible; we shall have either troubled hearts, or hearts calmed by
faith in Christ. The ships behind the breakwater do not pitch and toss.
The little town up amongst the hills, with the high cliffs around it,
lies quiet, and 'hears not the loud winds when they call.' And the heart
that has Christ for its possession has a secret peace, whatever strife
may be raging round it.

'Be not troubled; sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.' Peter leaves
out a clause of Isaiah's, though he conveys the idea without reiterating
the words. But Isaiah had added a sweet promise which means much the
same thing as I have now been saying, when he went on to declare that to
those who sanctify the Lord God in their hearts, He shall be for a
sanctuary. 'The sanctuary was an asylum where men were safe. And if we
have made our hearts temples in which Christ is honoured, worshipped,
and trusted, then we shall dwell in Him as in the secret place of the
Most High'; and in the inner chamber of the Temple it will be quiet,
whatever noises are in the camp, and there is light coming from the
Shekinah, whatever darkness may lie around. If we take Christ into our
hearts, and reverence and love Him there, He will take us into His
heart, and we shall dwell in peace, because we dwell in Him.

CHRISTIAN ASCETICISM

'Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered
in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 2. That he no longer should live
the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the
will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to
have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and
abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run
not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5.
Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and
the dead. 6. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to
them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in
the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7. But the end
of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto
prayer. 8. And, above all things, have fervent charity among
yourselves; for charity shall co