Obs. 2. Of all afflictions those are sweetest which we endure for Christ's sake. The apostle saith, ' Blessed are they that endure temp- tation ; ' that is, persecution for religion's sake. The immediate strokes of providence are more properly corrections ; the violences of men against us are more properly trials ; there is comfort and blessedness in corrections, namely, when we receive profit by them : Ps. xciv. 12, 'Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, 0 Lord, and instructest out of thy law.' Mark, when the chastening is from the Lord, there is comfort in it, if there be instruction in it : but it is far more sweet when we are merely called to suffer for a good conscience : Mat. v. 10, ' Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake.' There is the blessedness more clear. Corrections aim at the mortify- ing of sin, and so are more humbling : but trials aim at the discovery of grace, and so are more comfortable. Corrections imply guilt ; either we have sinned, or are likely to sin, and then God taketh the rod in hand. But trials befall us, that the world may know our will- ingness to choose the greatest affliction before the least sin, and there- fore must needs be matter of more joy and blessedness to us. In short, corrections are a discovery and silent reproof of our corruptions ; but trials a discovery and })ublic manifestation of our innocency, not a reproof, so much as an honour and grace to us. Well, then, when you are called to suffer for Christ, apply this comfort : it is a blessed tiling to endure evil for that cause ; only be sure your hearts be upright, that it be for Christ indeed, and your hearts be right with Christ.
1. That it be for Christ. It is not the blood and suffering that maketh the martyr, but the cause. We are all apt to entitle our quarrel to Christ, therefore we should go upon the more sure grounds. The glory of our sufferings is marred when there is somewhat of an evil deed in them, 1 Peter iv. 15. And we cannot be so cheerful as in a cause purely religious ; evils are not welcomed that come mixed in our thoughts, partly trial, and partly punishment.
2. That your heart be right for Christ. The form of religion may many times draw a persecution upon itself, as well as the power , the
^ Sal. de Gub. Dei, Ub. i.
JaS. I. 12.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 79
world hateth both, though the form less. Oh ! how sad is it that a man cometh to suffer, and he hath nothing to bear him out but an empty form. Either such kind of persons ' make shipwreck of a good conscience,' or else, out of an obstinacy to their faction, do but sacri- fice a stout body to a stubborn mind ; or, which is worse, have nothing to support them but the low principles of vainglory and worldly applause. Oh ! consider, there is no blessedness in such sufferings ; then may you suffer cheerfully when you appeal to God's omnisciency for your uprightness, as they do in the psalm, ' The Lord knoweth the secrets of the heart ; yea, for thy sake are we slain all the day long,' Ps. xliv. 21 , 22. Can you appeal to the God that knoweth secrets, and say. For thy sake are we exposed to such hazards in the world ?
Ohs. 3. From that lulien he is tried, note that before crowning there must be a trial. We have no profit at all by the affliction, neither grace nor glory, till there be some wrestling and exercise ; for grace, the apostle showeth plainly, Heb. xii, 11, ' It yieldeth the quiet fruits of righteousness, roh yeyv/uivacrfxivoi^, to them that are exercised thereby.' The pleasantness and blessedness is not found by and by, but after much struggling and wrestling with God in prayer, long acquaintance with the affliction. So for glory, the apostle showeth here, ' when he is proved, he shall receive a crown.' In the building of the temple the stones were first carved and hewed, that the sound of hammer might not be heard in God's house ; so the living stones are first hewn before they are set in the New Jerusalem. The apostle saith, 2 Tim. ii. 5, ' If a man strive for masteries, he is not crowned unless he strive lawfully ; ' that is, unless he perform the conditions and laws of the exercise in which he is engaged, he cannot expect the reward ; so neither can we from God till we have passed through all the stages of Christianity. The trial doth not merit heaven, but always goeth before it. Before we are brought to glory, God will first wean us from sin and the world, which the apostle calleth a being ' made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light,' Col. i. 12. And this work is helped on by many afflictions. Those serve to make us meet for the communion of saints, not to merit it. When God crowneth us, he doth but crown his own gifts in us.^ Well, then, bear your trials with the more patience. It is said, Acts xiv. 22, that Paul 'confirmed the souls of the disciples, showing that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.' It is the common lot. There is none goeth to heaven without their trial. As the way to Canaan lay through a howling wilderness and desert, so the path to heaven lieth through much affliction. He that passeth his life without trial knoweth not himself, nor hath no oppor- tunity to discover his uprightness.2