2. Such have been the trials of God's children in all ages ; as the instance is brought from the godly who lived under the law-dispensa-
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386 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIH. [SeR. XLVI.
tion. Now, if the saints of old endured such liard things, and tribulation even unto death, then it foUoweth —
[1.] It is no strange thing : 1 Peter iv. 12, ' Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, as if some strange thing had happened unto you.' Our taking the ordinary case of the godly for a strange thing, is that which doth disturb and distemper us. None wondereth at a bitter winter coming after a sweet summer, or a dark night succeeding a bright day, because it is an ordinary thing ; so here.
[2.] Then it is no grievous thing, but such as the people of God have endured, when they had not the advantages that we have. A double advantage we have above the saints of the Old Testament.
(1.) They had not s>ich a pattern of self-denial as we have, and that is the death of Ciirist, which teacheth us to obey God at the dearest rates : Mat. x. 24, ' The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.' Christ is a pattern of sufferings ; and to look for exemptions from them, is to expect to be better dealt with than he was ; we tread npon no step of hard ground but what Christ hath gone there before us, and his steps drop fatness ; left a blessing behind him to sweeten the way to us ; so Hob. xii. 1-3, ' Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied, and faint in your minds.' Jesus is propounded as our example ; he endured cruel pains in his body, and bitter sorrows in his soul ; deserted by God, contradicted by men, yet he bore all patiently and undauntedly ; this is the copy and pattern which is set for our imitation, that we may not sink under our burdens.
(2.) The other advantage. They had not such a clear discovery of eternal life as is now made to us in the promises of the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10. Since the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, life and immortality is brought to light in the gospel, It was but sparingly revealed then, and, to appearance, the covenant ran more in the strain of temporal promises ; but now Christ hath struck a thorough light into the other world, and clearly tells us that great is our i-eward in heaven ; and therefore we may rejoice if men persecute us. Mat. v. 11, 12. We will do so, if we believe him. Who would not permit another to take down a shed, if we did believe that he would build a jialace for us at his own cost and charges ? The reward is so far above the suffering, that certainly now we should more willingly submit to be killed all the day long, and counted as sheep for the slaughter. If the people of God did so heretofore, upon those few glimmerings which they had about eternal life, certainly they had not such a clear prospect into the other world, nor such a visible demon- stration of the certainty of it, as we have by the resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. To manifest the truth and reality of our graces, of our faith in Christ, and love to him, and hope of salvation.
[1.] To show our faith ; which is such a trusting ourselves in Christ's hands, that we are willing to part with all, even life itself, for
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his sake. This is called a believing to the saving of our souls, Heb. x. 39. Sense saith, Save thyself ; Faith saith, Save thy soul : Heb. xi. 35, ' They accepted not deliverance, looking for a better resurrection,' when stretched out by torture like the head of a drum.
[2.] To show our love. Nothing can or ought to separate us from the love of Christ. God alloweth us to love life, but he will be loved better ; for ' his lovingkindness is better than life,' Ps. Ixiii. 3. Now the greatest things must be greatly loved ; and then is our love tried, when the blackest dispensations cannot draw us from God. It is the property of love to long to be with Christ, ' which is better for us,' Phil. i. 23. Therefore we should be content to have the prison-door opened, that those who have desired and longed to be with Christ may be admitted into his immediate presence, and let out into liberty and joy.
[3.] Hope. We expect within a little while to have our desires accomplished : Jude 21, ' Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.' Will a soul that is at heaven's gate lose all that he hath waited for because the entrance is troublesome ? As those that are going to a mask or show, when they come where it is exhibited, must crowd, and will venture hard for what they hope to see. Now God will have graces tried with difficulties ; the crown of victory is not set on our heads if we fight not.