[They have given themselves to him, as "his servants:" and will he forget them ? Will He who " maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust," refuse protection to those who have exposed themselves to sufferings for his sake ? He has pro- mised to them, that " he will render to them according to their works :" and " has He said, and will he not do it ? has He spoken, and will he not make it good ? " He would even account himself" unrighteous, if he were to forget their works and labours of love, which they have shewed towards his name r." We may be sure, therefore, that, if tried in the fire, they shall " come out of it purified as gold ; and that, how- ever tempted, " they shall never perish, but shall have eternal life."]
Now let me ask,
1. Who, besides the saints, possesses any such heritage as this ?
[If we had crowns and kingdoms, they were not worthy to be compared with this ]
2. Who ever confided in this promise, and was dis- appointed of his hope ?
r Heb. vi. 10.
[Your fears may have been great, and your conflicts severe : but were you ever forsaken of your God ? No : you must all bear testimony to his fidelity, even as Israel did of old; for "ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you : all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof s."]
s Josh, xxiii. 14.