2. That he should complete his work in his own way —
[He calls all his people to bear their cross, in imitation of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Now " the Lord Jesus, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered : " and " he was made perfect through suf- ferings ; " and in the same way does God still teach and perfect us. He makes tribulation the way to glory ; purging us from our corruptions by means of it'^, and causing it to " work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ^" Does it become us, then, to be impatient under ovu* troubles ; or to wish for the removal of them, before they have accom- plished the end for which they were sent ? Surely we should be infinitely more anxious to have them sanctified, than to get them removed : and, however sorely they may press upon us, we should say, " Not my will, but thine be done." Be the furnace never so hot, we should welcome it, if only at last we may come out of it " vessels of honour, meet for the Master's use."]
Address —
1. Those who have hitherto been exempt from heavy trials —
[Doubtless, as far as the mere exemption from trouble goes, you have reason to be thankful : but yet, if for want of it you are yet in a careless or lukewarm state, you have no great reason to congratulate yourselves: it were better that every bone in your body were broken, or that you should have the sword of the Almighty inflicting the deepest wounds in your souls, than that you should be left to go on wickedly in the way of your hearts. I say not that you should pray for trials : for trials will do you no good, if they be not sanctified to your souls by the Spirit of God. But this I. say, Let no rest satisfy you, except that which is to be found in the favour of a reconciled God, and in the hope of his glory ]
2. Those who are sinking under the weight of them —
[Peradventure some may be here, who, like David, are bowed down under the weight of domestic troubles, or under a dread of God's heavy displeasure. And, if this be the case, let me tell you where you may find rest unto your souls. You need not the vnngs of a dove to fly away : j^ou have your refuge close at hand, even Jesus, who says, " Come vxnto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." If you will but run to Him, you shall find him " an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land ™." Yes, in truth, " He is a strength to the
^ Isai. xxvii. 9. Heb. xii. 10. '2 Cor. iv. 17. "^ Isai. xxxii. 2.