no divine influence, complied at once with the order that was issued. So it is with men amongst ourselves. Whatever has the sanction of the great, whether it be good or bad, is fol- lowed ; and no one dares to stem the torrent of iniquity which overflows the land. But men who are renewed in the spirit of their minds, will " not be conformed to this present evil world :" on the contrary, " they are transformed in the renew- ing of their minds, and they prove in their conduct what is the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God." What the principle is by which they are actuated, may be seen in the history before us : " By faith it was, that these pious youths were enabled to " quench the violence of fire c." And if faith was so powerful under that dispensation, when the object of faith was so indistinctly and partially revealed, what shall it not effect, now that the Sun of Righteousness is shining in its meridian splendour, and the full " glory of God is displayed in the face of Jesus Christ?" Seek then to have this grace formed in your hearts : it is the root from whence all other graces proceed : it is faith that " works by love," and " purifies the heart," and " overcomes the world." Live in the exercise of this grace, and all the persuasions or terrors of the world will lose their force.]
3. What a mercy it is to have God for our God !
[If once we possess this blessing, we need never fear what either men or devils can do against us. If we are persecuted for righteousness' sake, we need not be concerned about it; for our God will come and walk with us in the fire, and make the wrath of our enemies the occasions of richer communica- tions of his love. He has said, " When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour d." " If our afflictions for his sake abound, our consolations through him shall much more abound :" and in due season he will bring us forth " out of the furnace, purified as gold." But oh! what a furnace awaits our im- penitent persecutors ! Who can conceive what " a lake that is which burnetii with fire and brimstone," into which all the ungodly shall be cast ; and what it will be to " dwell with ever- lasting burnings?" But for the faithful servants of Jehovah there is reserved " an eternal weight of glory proportioned to the light and momentary afflictions" which they here endured. Fear not then, any of you, to give yourselves up to God, or to encounter the wrath of man for his sake ; for " them that honour him, he will honour." Only " be faithful unto death, and he will give you a crown of life."]
c Heb. xi. 33, 34. d Isai. xliii. 2, 3.
1125. J Nebuchadnezzar's dream verified. 485