3. How happy are they who truly believe in Christ!
[The same things has God decreed respecting you, as con- cerning his dear Son ; and on the same grounds does he assure
e Ps. ii. 9. f Isai. lx. 21. e Zech. xiv. 20, 21.
h John viii. 5G. ' ver. 13. with Ps. xcviii. 4 — 9.
k Isai. lx. 22. N. B. If this be the subject of a Mission Sermon, this thought must be enlarged.
1 2 Tim. ii. 10. m John iv. 36.
them to you. Like the Saviour himself, you shall be hated and despised of men : but, like him, you shall triumph over all your enemies, and be exalted to thrones of glory". Even " Satair himself," with all the px'incipalities and powers of hell, " shall be
bruised under your feet shortly0" And would you be
certified of this? Know, that " God has chosen you to sal- vation15," and " promised you eternal lifeq." And who shall set aside his purpose? Who shall make his promises of no effect ? Look forward, then, to the issue of your present con- flicts. Let it be a light matter in your eyes to be an object of scorn and derision to ungodly men : (rather rejoice that you are permitted so to resemble your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ r:) and look forward to the same blessed recompence as he himself received. " He, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of Gods:" so do ye also expect assu- redly, that, if you are conformed to him in sufferings, you shall also be conformed to him in glory : for " if you suffer with him, you shall, as sure as God is true, reign with him also in glory for ever and ever1."]
n Rev. hi. 21. ° Rom. xvi. 20. p 2 Thess. ii. 13.
q Tit. i. 2. 1 John ii. 25. r 1 Pet. iv. 13.
s Heb. xh. 2. l 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12.