god's method of dealing with his people.
Zech. xiii. 9. I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried : they shall call on my name, and I will hear them : I will say, it is my people ; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
AFFLICTION is the lot of mankind in general, and more especially of those who fear the Lord, who are all, in their measure, "predestinated to be con- formed to the image of Christ," as well in sufferings as in glory. In the context we are told what Christ would have to endure when once he should become incarnate ; " Awake, O my sword, against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts ; smite the shepherd." It is true, that Christ was to make satis- faction for sin by his sufferings and death ; and in that view there is no occasion for us to " drink of his cup :" but it is true also that " he learned obedience, and was made perfect, by the things which he suffered ;" and these ends are no less necessary to be accom- plished in us ; nor can they be effected in any better way. On this account God has determined to "bring the third part through the fire ;" that so he may fit them for the fuller enjoyment of himself, both in this world and the world to come.
The text informs us how God deals with his people, I. In respect of trials —
he people of God are but a small remnant —