like men:" and let us reflect for our encouragement, that, though our " enemies may encompass us like bees," " there are more for us than against us."]
4. The steadfast Christian —
[Have any ever found cause to regret that they endured the cross ? Will any complain that they ever suffered too much for Christ ? Has not a rich reward been invariably enjoyed by them in the testimony of their own conscience, and in the consolations of God's Spirit ? Yea, whatever they have suffered, have they not had " an hundredfold more given them even in this present life; and will they not have life everlasting also in the world to come?" Surely the intrepid Christian has " chosen the good part ; nor shall it ever be taken away from him." Go on then, " strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." " See that ye lose not the things that ye have wrought ; but that ye receive a full reward." " Be faithful unto death, and God shall give you a crown of life."]
Luke xv. 3 — 7. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep tvhich ivas lost. I say unto you, that like- wise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, tvhich need no repentance.
THERE is nothing more injurious to ourselves or others than prejudice. While it operates as a bar to our own improvement, it leads us to put a perverse construction on every thing we see or hear : it will extract matter for censure even from the most in- nocent or laudable actions. The malignity of it cannot be seen in more striking colours than in the conduct of the Pharisees towards our Lord : he con- versed familiarly with the most abandoned sinners for their good ; such condescension ought to have been regarded with the highest approbation, but it