troubles to which believers in Jesus Christ are liable, and of these our Lord gives them plain warning.
They roust expect trouble from the world. They must not look for the help of " rulers and kings." They will find their ways and their doctrines bring them no favor in high places. On the contrary, they will often be imprisoned, beaten, and brought before judgment seats as malefactors, for no other reason than their ad- herence to the Gospel of Christ.
They must expect trouble from their own relations. " Brother shall betray brother to death, and the father the son." Their own flesh and blood will often forget to love them, from hatred to their religion. They will find some- times that the enmity of the carnal mind against God, is stronger than even the ties of family and blood.
We shall do well to lay these things to heart, and to "count the cost" of being a Christian. We must think it no strange thing if our religion brings with it some bit- ter things. Our lot, no doubt, is cast in favorable times. The lines of a British Christian are fallen in pleasant places. We have no reason to be afraid of death or imprisonment, if we serve Christ. But, for all that, we must make up our minds to endure a certain proportion of hardship, if we are real, thorough, and decided Chris- tians. We must be content to put up with laughter, rid- icule, mockery, slander, and petty persecution. We must even bear hard words and unkindness from our nearest and dearest relations. The "offence of the cross" is not ceased. " The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." They that are "born after the flesh" will persecute those that are " born after the Spirit." (1
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Cor.ii. 14. Gal. iv. 29.) The utmost consistency of life will not prevent it. If we are converted, we must never be surprised to find that we are hated for Christ's sake.
Let us observe, in the second place, what rich encour- agement the Lord Jesus holds out to His persecuted people. He sets before them three rich cordials to cheer their souls.
For one thing He tells us that " the Gospel must first be preached among all nations." It must be, and it shall be. In spite of men and devils, the story of the cross of Christ shall be told in every part of the world. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Notwithstand- ing persecution, imprisonment, and death, there never shall be wanting a succession of faithful men, who shall proclaim the glad tidings of salvation by grace. Few may believe them. Many of their hearers may continue hard- ened in sin. But nothing shall prevent the Gospel being preached. The word shall never be bound, though those who preach it maybe imprisoned and slain. (2 Tim. ii. 9.)
For another thing, our Lord tells us, that those who are placed in special trial for the Gospel's sake, shall have special help in their time of need. The Holy Ghost shall assist them in making their defence. They shall have a mouth and wisdom which their adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist. As it was with Peter and John and Paul, when brought before Jewish and Roman councils, so shall it be with all true-hearted disciples. How thoroughly this promise has been ful- filled, the histories of Huss, and Luther, and Latimer, and Ridley, and Baxter abundantly prove. Christ has been faithful to His word.
For another thing, our Lord tells us that patient per-