in a patient discharge of their duty, and in an assured expectation of recompence at the coming of their Lord.
We shall consider the injunction which he gives them in a two-fold view ;
I. In reference to the terms by which it is ex- pressed—
These are strong and energetic. Twice he says, "Be patient;" that is, bear with all long-suffering the trials that are come upon you : and then he adds, " Stablish your hearts f let them be so firmly fixed, that nothing may ever shake them.
Now from these expressions we gain a very con- siderable insight into Christianity : we see, that,
1. It exposes us to heavy trials —
[No man could profess Christianity at its first establish- ment, but at the peril of his life ; thousands and myriads being called to seal the truth with their blood. If the same perse- cutions be not experienced at this day, let us not imagine that they have therefore ceased : for it is as true at this day as it was in the Apostolic age, that "all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." And every man now, as well as then, must be prepared to lay down his life for Christ, if he will be acknowledged as "a disciple indeed." Nor let it be thought that the persecutions of the present day are so very light. It is no easy thing for flesh and blood to withstand the hatred, and contempt and ridicule to which he will be assuredly exposed, if he set himself in earnest to serve the Lord. The fear of these consequences is abundantly sufficient to deter multitudes from embracing the Gospel, and to turn back multitudes after they have embraced it. True it is, that all are not exposed to these things in an equal de- gree : but every follower of Christ must have his cross to bear, and be conformed to his divine Master in sufferings, before he can be made like him in glory ^]
2. It calls for great exertions —
[Religion is the same that it ever was, and calls for the same eftbrts on the part of all who embrace it. A race is not won at this day without exertion ; nor does a wrestler over- come a strong antagonist without effort : nor a man engaged in warfare obtain a triumph without exertion. Our spiritual enemies are as strong as ever : sin is not subdued and mortified
by * Jvom. viii 17.
1151.] PATIENT PERSEVEttANCE URGED. 77
by listless endeavours ; nor is Satan defeated without much watchfulness and prayer. The whole man must be en- gaged. We must summon to the conflict all our faculties and powers ; yea, such are the efforts required, that, if we be not strengthened by that same almighty power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we can never prevail*^.]
3. It requires incessant efforts even to the end —
[There is to be no period when we are to give way either to impatience or sloth. However long our trials may conti- nue, we are " in patience to possess our souls : " and however difficult the path of duty may be, we are " never to be weary in well-doing." God should be able to say of us, as he does of the Church of Ephesus, "Thou hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name-sake hast laboured, and not fainted '*." This in particular is intimated in our text. It is supposed that the trials are long, and heavy, and calculated to turn us from the faith : and hence it is necessary that we ** be long-suffering," and that our " souls be established with grace." It is in this way that we can finally prevail : for to those only who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, will eternal life be adjudged'.]
To enter fully into the Apostle's exhortation, we must consider it,