answered their prayers, yet their feelings, in conjunction with the effects produced by them, will enable them to ascertain it, at least sufficiently for their own encouragement0.]
2. Deliverances from trouble —
[The people of God are exposed to troubles no less than others. But they are supported under them by the presence of their God. As the Son of man walked with the Hebrew youths in the furnace, so will he with all his afflicted people ; nor shall a hair of their head be singed. As a refiner he will carefully watch over every vessel, moderating the heat that would injure it, and bringing out the vessel as soon as his purposes in submitting it to the fire have been fully answered. This is twice declared in the text ; and in due season shall it be experienced by every true believer.]
3. Present honour —
[The saints are, for the most part, loaded with contempt and ignominy. Yet the very persons who persecute them most, have frequently, like Herod, an inward reverence for them in their hearts. But, however they may be treated by the ungodly, they are universally respected by the saints. The very angels account it their honour and happiness to minister unto them. They are lights in the world, and living witnesses for God to all around them : and " God himself is not ashamed to be called their God." They are already exalted to the rank and dignity of God's children ; and are made " heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ."]
4. Everlasting glory —
[How far length of days is to be expected as the reward of piety under the Gospel dispensation, we cannot absolutely determine. But the true Christian will be " satisfied with his life," whether it be long or short. He does not wish for the termination of it merely because he is dissatisfied with his present state, but because he longs for his inheritance. He has Pisgah views of the promised land even here : and as soon as he has finished his appointed course, God will shew him his full salvation; causing him to behold all its glory and enjoy all its blessedness. Then shall be given to him a life which will fully satisfy his most enlarged desires. God will say to him, in the presence of the whole assembled universe, ' Come thou servant, whom I have decreed to " set on high," see the king- dom that was prepared for thee from eternity ; take possession of it as thine own, and inherit it for everd.']
Infer —
1. In how pitiable a state are the ignorant and un- godly world !
c Ps. cxxxviii. 3. d Matt. xxv. 34.