scouring of all things ;" but God will not leave us to sink under these reproaches : he will sooner or later appear for us, and *' make our righteousness to shine forth as the noon-day." We shall have " good report to pass through, as well as evil report;" and our very demeanor under our persecutions shall carry convic- tion to the minds of many, that we are indeed the ^ons of God'. At all events, if not before, at least at the day of judgment, our reproach shall be rolled away, and " we shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father''."]
Reflections. See from hence,
1. What they lose who are ignorant of God —
[All that is implied either in the precepts or the proiTiises of our text is altogether unknown to those who experience not the power of religion in their hearts. Whatever burthens they have, are borne upon their own shoulders : they know not what it is to cast them upon the Lord. Hence, when oppressed with heavy trials, they faint and sink under them ; and for Avant of the con- solations and supports of religion, they not unfre(iuently meditate, and sometimes also carry into execution, the awful act of suicide. O that men did but know what provision there is made for them in the Gospel of Christ ! In, and with Christ, there is all that
we can want, for body or for soul, for time or for eternity
Only let us seek to be washed in his blood, to be renewed by his Spirit, and to live altogether by faith on him ; and we shall find such rich supplies, such heavenly consolations, such a fulness of all spiritual and eternal blessings, as shall far surpass all that the carnal eye has ever seen, and all that the carnal imagination has ever conceived'.]
2. What they enjoy who live nigh to God — [Contemplate the state of those who are now in heaven ;
how free from care, and how completely happy in the fruition of their God ! Such in a measure may our state be even in this present world. Those who believe in Christ are privileged to rejoice in him, yea, and many do " rejoice in him, with joy unspeakable and glorified." By committing themselves, and all their concerns, to him, " their very thoughts, which are natu- rally as fluctuating as the wind, are established™." O Believers, live not below your privileges : carry every thing to your adorable Saviour, and expect from him all that infiiiite love can give, and all that omnipotence can effect. " All things are yours, if ye are Christ's ;" even " death itself, as well as life, is among your treasures":" and soon shall all the glory and felicity of heaven be your unalienable and everlasting possession.]
' Matt, xxvii. 54. '' Matt. xiii. 43. ' 1 Cor. u.g. '" Prov. xvi. 3. " 1 Cor. iii. 21 — 23.