pre-eminence above every other, but an exclusive existence in the world. Had the followers of Jesus been content that his name should have been enrolled among the list of heathen deities, they would have been no more hated than the pro- fessors of any other religion : and if at this time the followers of Christ would connive at the existence of other tenets and other practices than those which Christianity enjoins, they would be admired, rather than hated, by an ungodly world. But their exclusive claims in its behalf subject them to the fiercest resentment of those who are hostile to its requisitions. Not content with serving the Lord Jesus Christ themselves, they call upon all others to serve him too, and that at the peril of their souls: hence all who are determined to follow their own ways must, in their own vindication as it were, condemn those who so greatly differ from them : and hence, as long as that difference exists in the world, the enmity excited by it will operate.]
To fortify us against these trials, our Lord gra- ciously gives us,
II. A consoling promise —
[The expression used by our Lord was proverbial : it occurs in many other parts of Scripture; and signifies, that no real evil shall arise to the person of whom it is spoken. It cannot mean that he shall experience no trouble ; for in the preceding context it is said, that " many shall be put to death:" but it is equivalent to that expression of St. Peter, " Who is he that shall harm you, if ye be followers of that which is goodd?" and it accords with that promise of God by the Pro- phet Jeremiah, " Turn ye every one from your evil ways, and I will do you no hurt6" Two things are implied in it ; namely, that no evil whatever shall accrue to the person but by the express permission of God ; and that none shall be inflicted, which shall not be over-ruled for his eternal good.
Little do the world think how much their powers are limited by the special providence of God. They boast of their pur- poses; but find that " wherein they deal proudly, there is One that is above them," " who disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that they cannot perform their enterprise f." Laban and Esau menaced great things against the defenceless Jacob ; but they could effect nothing : and every believer may address his enemies in the words of Christ to Pilate, " Ye can have no power at all against me, except it be given you from above."
The Christian's enemies do indeed often appear to triumph : but it is in appearance only, and not in reality ; for they can do nothing which God will not " make to work together for good
rt 1 Pet. iii. 13. e Jer. xxv. 5, 6. » Job v. 12,