A dead, sullen, reserved spirit, is not a Christian's spirit. If by nature we have such, we must labour to help it with grace ; for grace is a difiusive, communicating thing, not only in the ministers of God, but in every Chris- tian. Grace will teach them to make savoury their conversation to others, this way, that whatsoever they are, or whatsoever they can do, or whatso- ever they sutler, they study to improve all to the good of others.
And mark the extent of the loving wisdom and providence of God, how many things he doth at once. For in the same affliction ofttimes, he cor- rects some in his children, in the same affliction he tries some grace, in the same affliction he witnesseth to his truth in them, in the same affliction he doth good to others besides the good he doth to them. In the same afflic- tion that others inflict, he hasteneth the ruin of them that offer it; at one time, and in one action, he hasteneth the destruction of the one, by hastening the good of the other ; he ripens grace in his children, making them ex- emplary to others, and all in the same action, so large is the wise providence of God.
It should teach us likewise to follow that providence, and to see how many ways anything we suffer any kind of way may extend, that if one way will not comfort, another may. When we suffer, and are grieved, let us consider withal that he that doth the wrong, he hastens his ruin and judgment. As Pharaoh, when he hastened the overthi'ow of the children of Israel, he hastened his overthrow in the Red Sea. So a pit is digged for the wicked, when they dig a pit for the godly, Ps. vii. 15. And consider, to comfort thyself, thou hast some sin in thee, and God intends not only to witness this truth, but to correct some sin in thee, and thou must look to that. Thou hast some grace in thee, and he intends the trial of that. Look to these things. This shews strong heavenly-mindedness, when there is self-denial. Let us consider what God calls us to ; for God looks to many things in the same act. Wherefore doth God give us reason and discourse, but to be able to foUow him in his dealing, as far as we can reach to ?
But I go on to the next verse.
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. I, \ER. 7. 107
VERSE 7.
' And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferinri, so you shall he also of the consolation.' This verse is nothing but a strengthening of what he said hcfore. Ho had told them that what- soever he suffered, it was for their comfort too ; and now he repeats it again, and sets a seal upon it, ' Our hope of you is stedfast, knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you shall also be of the consola- tion.' In these words he shews that they shall share in the good with him as well as in the ill ; that the Spirit of God in them should help them to take all the good they could, both by his sufferings and by his comfort. For as he by the help of the Spirit of God intended the public good, in- tended their good and comfort in all, whether he were afflicted or com- forted ; so he saith here, he was assured that as they were partakers of his sufferings, so they should be of his comforts likewise.
Here is the truth, and the seal of the truth.
The truth, that they were ' partakers of his sufferings,' and should be ' partakers of his consolations.'
And the seal is in the manner of affirming these truths, ' Our hope of you is stedfast.' And in this order I will speak of them. First,
Doct. God's children are x>artakers of the sufferings of others.
The Corinthians were partakers of the sufferings of St Paul.
God's children are partakers of the suffei'ings of others many ways.
First. By way of sympathy, taking to heart the estate of the church and children of God abroad. It grieved the Corinthians to hear that St Paul was afflicted ; for even as it is in the natural body, so likewise in the mysti- cal body, there is a sympathy between the members.
Second. Likewise they partake of the sufferings of others by ivay of pro- portion. They suffered in their kind and proportion as he suffered ; though perhaps not in the same very individual kind. There is a portion of suffering in the church. Some suffer one way, and others another ; but all partake of sufferings in some degree or other.
3. Then again, they did partake of St Paul's sufferings in preparation and disposition of mind. Howsoever now they did not suffer as much as he, yet, saith he, I know as far as the Spirit of God is in you, you are pre- pared to suffer ; and what we are prepared to do, that we do. Christ saith we ' sell all for the gospel,' when upon serious examination of our hearts we find we can part with it. When we set ourselves to examination, what cannot I part with for Christ ? Can I part with my goods ? Can I part with my life ? If we can once come to resolution, it is done, as Abraham is said to sacrifice his son, because he resolved to do it, Heb. xi. 17 ; and David is said to build the temple, because he intended to do it, 1 Kings viii. 18. God looks upon us in our resolutions and preparations. What we resolve to do, that is done. So, saith he, you are partakers of my suf- ferings, not only by sympathy, and in proportion of sufferings, but you are prepared, he speaks charitably and lovingly, to suffer whatsoever I suffer, if God call you to it.