for US, leaving us an example, that ye slxnild follow his steps ; wlio, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not,'&c.; 1 Pet. ii. 20, 21, 23. This is hard work indeed, in the very lire to keep the spirits cool, and clear of wrath and revenge, toward those that throw him so unmerci- fully into the devouring flames ! But it makes him that by grace can do it, a glorious conqueror. Flesh and blood would bid a man call for fire from hea- ven, rather than mercy to fall upon them that so cruelly handle him. He that can forgive his enemy is too hard for him, and hath the better of him; because his enemy's blows do but bruise his flesh, but the wounds that love gives, pierce the conscience. Saul was forced to confess that David, persecuted so furiously by him, was the better man, — ' Thou art more righteous than I,' I Sam. xxiv. 17. And the people went from the execution of Christ, whom they were so mad to have crucified, sick of what they had done, shaking their heads, as if all were not i-ight they had done against so good a man, Luke xxiii. 48. Now when two contrary elements are in a contest, that overcomes which preserves- its own nature, and turns the other into some likeness imto itself, as we see fire transfuseth its own heat into the water, forcing it to assimilate and yield to it.. Thus a holy, chai'itable spirit, by forgiving an enemy, if it doth not prevail to turn his enemy's heart to him in love, yet it turns his enemy's conscience against himself, and forceth him to condemn himself, and justify him whom he persecutes wrongfully.
Section IV.- — Fortify thy faith on those promises which have an especial respect to such a condition. This is the saints' victory over the world, even their faith. Thus David, when Saul seemed to have him under his foot, and had driven him from living in a court, to dwell for safety in a cave of the wil- derness, yet by faith he triumphed over his proud enemy, and sung as pleasantly in his retreat, as the merriest bird in the wood, ' My heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise.' Saul had his body higher fed, but not his heart fixed, as David's was ; and therefore could not sing to David's tune. A thousand thoughts and fears distracted his head and heart, while David lived without fear and care, even when his enemies were in the field hunting for his life. Faith on the promise will, like the widow's oil, not only set thee out of debt to all worldly fears and cares which by thy troubles thou mayest contract, but afford thee enough to live comfortably, yea, with joy unspeakable and glorious.
There are two sorts of sorrow that usually distress gracious soids most in their sufferings for Christ. First, They are prone to be troubled for their own per- sons and pi-ivate aft'airs. SeconcUy, For the cause of Christ which they bear testimony unto, lest that should miscarry.
Now there is abundant provision laid up in the promises to ease the Chris- tian's heart of both these burdens. First, Acquaint thyself with those promises that concern thyself as a sufferer for Christ, and see where any crevice is left unstopped, if thou canst, that may let in the least air of su.spicion into thy mind, to disturb thy peace, and discompose thy joy. The promises are so many, and fitted so exactly to every particular query of which the soul can desire satisfac- tion, that it will require thy study and diligence to gather them : God having chosen rather to scatter his promises here and there promiscuously, than to sort them, and set every kind in a distinct knot by themselves, we may think, on purpose, that we might be di-awn into an acquaintance with the whole Scrip- ture, and not leave any one corner unsearched, but curiously observe it from one end to tl>e other. And let not the present peace of the church cause thee to think it needless work. The apothecary gathers his simples fn siunmcr, which haply he may not use till winter ; and how soon persecution may arise, thou knowest not. The church ever hath had, and shall have its vicissitudes of summer and winter ; yea, sometimes winter strikes in before it is looked for, and then who is the man most likely to be ofl'ended ? surely he that received the Avord with joy in the prosperous estate of the church, but lai<l not in for foul weather. Well, what is thy fear ? Whence comes thy discouragement? Art thou scared with the noisomeness of the ])rison ; or doth the terror of the tire, and torture of the rack aff'right thee? Know, for thy comfort, if thy strength be too weak to carry thee through tltem, thou shalt never be called to such hard work, 'i'he promise assures thee as much, — ' lie will not suffer thee to be tempted above what thou art able," 1 Cor. x. 12. God, who gives the husband-
598 AND THE SV/ORI) OF THE SPIRIT.