glory is ever in his view ; and he knows the condition on which alone it will be bestowed : we must " be liiithful unto death, if ever we would obtain a crown of life." Hence he finds no difficulty in renouncing all that the world can give, and in en- during all that the most bitter persecutors can inflict; because, like Moses, he "looks unto the recompence of the reward;" and, like the " women who refused to accept deliverance from their tortures, he expects a better resurrection." AVhatever tribulations he may pass through in his way to glory, he feels no doubt but that the glory which awaits him will amply make amends for all ^.]
For an improvement of this subject, I will add,
1. A word of caution —
[The foregoing sentiments, if not received with a becom- ing spirit, are liable to abuse. Indeed we have often seen, in young and inexperienced persons especially, conceit and self- will assuming the garb of religion ; and exerting themselves, without controvd, in opposition to all sovmd advice, and in defiance of all legitimate authority. Let me, therefore, be well imderstood in this matter. Though we are to be on our guard against the fear of man, we are not to set at nought the coun- sels of the wise, nor the injunctions of those who are over us in the Lord. In matters of indiflierence, it is well to consult the judgment and the wishes of those who are in authority over us. It is only when the counsels and commands of men go counter to the commands of God, that we are authorized to set them at nought : and even then we must conduct ourselves with meekness and modesty, and must not give way to a rude, unmannered, refractory spirit. This is of exceeding great im- portance. We cannot too strictly watch against the indulgence of any unhallowed temper under the pretext of religion : and if at any time we are constrained to oppose the wishes of our friends, we must order ourselves with such kindness and love, as may leave them in no doubt but that our perseverance is the fruit of real piety, and not the offspring of obstinate conceit.]
2. A word of encouragement —
[However careful we be, we must expect to incur the dis- pleasure of those who wish to retain us in bondage to the world. But if, as we have reason to expect, our greatest foes be those of our own household, let us consider how much better it is to- have the frowns of men and the approbation of God, than the smiles of men and the displeasure of God. If all the men in the universe were to applaud us, it would be a poor recompence for the loss of a good conscience, whose testimony in our behalf would repay us for the loss of the whole world. In fact, if we
^ Rom. viii. 18.