the Gospel P. The hypocritical professor has never mortifietl his besetting sin^. It is the person alone, ivho fears God, that unites in his experience a dread of God's wrath, an affiance in Christ, and a love to the commandments.]
Such persons, notwithstanding appearances, are truly blessed.
II. In what respects it shall be well with them —
They are not exempt from the common afflictions of life. They have in addition to them many trials peculiar to themselves ; yet it goes well with them,
1. In respect of temporal good —
[They have a peculiar enjoyment of jirosperity. The ungodly find an emptiness in all their possessions ^ ; but the godly have not such gall mixed with their comforts ^ They have also peculiar supports in a season of adversity. The wicked are for the most part miserable in their affliction ^ : if kept from murmuring, it is the summit of their attainments : but the righteous are enabled to glory in tribulation ^, and cordially to approve of God's dispensations towards them ^.'\
2. In respect of spiritual good —
[They possess a peace that passeth all understanding. They are filled with a joy utterly unknown to others^'. The work of sanctification is gradually carried on within them ^. As they approach towards death they grow in a meetness for heaven, and are serene and happy in the near prospect of eternity ^.]
3. In respect to eternal good —
[Who can set forth their felicity in the eternal world? Who can even conceive the weight of glory preparing for them ? How will their faith be lost in sight, and their hope in enjoy- ment I Then indeed will that truth be seen and felt by them ^.]
These things are far from being " cunningly devised fables."
III. What assurance we have that it shall be thus well with them —
No truth whatever is capable of clearer demonstra- tion. The topics from whence it might be proved are
P Acts xxiv. 25, and xxvi. 28. i Acts viii. 23.
r Job. XX. 22. s Prov. X. 22. 1 Tim. vi. 17.
t Eccl. v. 17. " Rom. v. 3. ^2 Kings xx. 19.
y Prov. xiv. 10. 2 2 Cor. iv. 16. ^ Ps. xxxvii. 37.
^ Ps. cxliv. 15.