opprobrious, for the purpose of characterizing his faithful disciples.]
This statement being still as true as in the pro- phet's days, I will proceed, II. To point out its aspect on the parties concerned —
Truly its aspect is very different,
1. On those who account the saints to be " for
signs and for wonders" —
[They, alas ! only betray their own ignorance. Methinks, if they exercised any sound judgment, they would rather account themselves " signs and wonders ;" and stand amazed that ever they should have been capable of acting so irrational a part as they have, throughout their whole lives. What ! "gaze strangely at persons, and speak evil of them, merely because they will not run to the same excess of riot " as the ungodly world are pursuing*^ ! Is this consistent — I will not say, with piety, but with common sense? But, in fact, these very persons, in the midst of all their profane jests or acrimo- nious proceedings, cannot help venerating, in their hearts, the servants of Christ, and wishing at least to " die their death," even though they will not endeavour to live their life. And assuredly the time is coming, when they will condemn their present conduct as bitterly as now they inveigh against the conduct of the Lord's people. Now they call the saints " the troublers of Israel ;" and complain of them, as wishing " to turn the world upside down : " but in a little time their voice will be changed ; and they will bemoan themselves, saying, " We fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honour- : but now, how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints ! Therefore have we erred from the way of truth .... but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it'."]
2. On those who are so accounted —
[Be it so, that ye are and must be, despised and " hated, of all men, for Christ's sake." But shall I condole with you on this account ? No : I will rather congratulate you ; for the whole tenour of Scripture pronounces this to be a ground of
joy'^ -Is it a ground of joy, that " the Spirit of glory
and of God resteth upon you ? and that you are conformed to your Saviour's image? and that he is glorified in you^? Then I bid you rejoice. Again ; Is it aground of joy that the work of God's grace is advanced in you'", and an accumulated
h 1 Pet. iv. 4. The Greek. ' Wisd. v. 4—7.
1' Matt. V. 10—12. 1 1 Pet. iv. 12—14. '" 1 Pet. i. 7.