whole world by it. Moreover, they have many in the world who would be glad enough to ruin them ; but few, very few, that will exert themselves much to help them forward. On these accounts they may at times be tempted to indulge exces- sive care, and to harbour fears of want and embarrassment. They have also to dread sufferings. The flock of Christ are not only subject to the trials incident to our present state, but are liable to many sufferings peculiar to themselves : they are " as sheep in the midst of wolves:" often among themselves are found some that are "wolves in sheep's clothing:" above all, there is " a roaring lion ever seeking to devour them." Now Christians are not only weak when opposed to Satan, but also when opposed to the world : they cannot contend with carnal weaponsf: " The servant of the Lord must not strive." The rebuke given to Peter when fighting for his Master, suffi- ciently ties their hands from standing in their own defence8. Their only weapons are faith and patience : they are to conquer indeed, but it is by suffering even unto death11. Well therefore may they entertain fears respecting these things : for if they be not well armed with the mind that was in Christ1, they will faint in the day of adversity.]
But the exhortation in the text leads us to notice,
II. The antidote provided for them —
God has provided for them a " kingdom" —
[God condescends to call himself their " Father, and deals with them as his children. He has " prepared for them a kingdom" that is infinitely superior to all the kingdoms of this world. The glory of it cannot be expressed or conceived ; nor will the duration of it ever endk. This he has given to them for their inheritance. It is his determination to invest them
with it, and his delight to preserve them for it — His
almighty power is ever exercised for this purpose1; yea, his whole heart and soul are engaged in accomplishing his gracious intentions1".]
This is a very sufficient antidote to all their fears —
[Why should they be afraid of want who have God for their Father, and a kingdom for their inheritance ? Can it be supposed that he who provides for the evil and unthankful, and sustains the ravens that call upon him, will neglect his own children ? Will he, who of his good pleasure bestowed upon them all the glory of heaven, refuse them what is necessary for their present sustenance ? Why too should they be afraid of
f 2 Cor. x. 4. s Matt. xxvi. 52. h Rev. xii. 11.
1 1 Pet. iv. 1. k Heb. xii. 28. > 1 Pet. i. 4, 5.
m Jer. xxxii. 41.