when no sacrifice of conscience is required : but, rather than violate, in any instance, our duty to God, we must brave all the injuries that can be inflicted on us. The Hebrew Youths have set us an excellent example in this respect. When menaced with being cast into the fiery furnace, they expressed their confidence in God, that he would interpose for their deliverance : but whether such an interposition should be vouchsafed or not, they were determined to hold fast their integrity at all events: "Our God will deliver us. But, if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy godsh." No trials whatever should at any time drive us from this point. Whatever persecutions may arise, we must say with Paul, " None of these things move me ; neither count I my life dear unto myself." In a word, we must " not fear man, who can only kill the body ; but fear Him alone, who can destroy both body and soul in hell1."]
2. With unruffled patience — [Though our Lord's answer was firm, there was not the smallest degree of irritation in it. And herein he shewed how superior he was to any mortal man. Moses was the meekest man upon the face of the earth ; yet, when greatly tried, he broke forth into unadvised expressions, which brought the displeasure of God upon himk. And when Paul was injured precisely in the same way that Jesus was, he resentfully addressed the judge that had so injured him : " God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law1?" Our duty in all circumstances is to imitate " the meekness and gentleness of Christ," who, as St. Peter informs us, " suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps : who, being reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not ; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously"1." If we betray any unhallowed temper, our adversaries have so far gained a victory over us. We must, under all circumstances, " possess our souls in patience ;" and " let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing."] From the whole then we may learn,
1. What to expect — [" The servant must not expect to be above his lord." " If men called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household." Our blessed Lord strongly guards us upon this very point: " Marvel not," says he, " if the world hate you : if it hate you, ye know that it hated me
h Dan. iii. 18. ' Luke xii. 4, 5. k Numb. xx. 10 — 12.
' Acts xxiii. 2, 3. m 1 Pet. ii. 21—23.
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before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own : but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you"." Nor is it mere hatred that we must expect to en- counter, but injuries also, yes, and injuries of the most atro- cious kind. " If we will live godly in Christ Jesus, we shall assuredly suffer persecution." Let us then " count the cost ;" and be ready to pay it. " The pearl of great price" is worth it all]
2. How to act —
[Let us set our Lord Jesus Christ before us as our example. " He, when oppressed and afflicted, opened not his mouth : he was brought as a sheep to the slaughter ; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so opened he not his mouth0." O blessed attainment! how rare! how beautiful ! " To turn the left cheek to him who smites us on the right ! to let a man who sues us at the law, and takes away our coat, take away with him our cloak also ! and when compelled to go with a man one mile, to accompany him voluntarily another1"." What hard sayings are these to the carnal man ! and how difficult to be carried into execution, even by the most spiritual! But, beloved, let us not despair of attaining these things; for " the grace of Christ is sufficient for us;" and we may rest assured, that, if only we " be strong in him," we shall " be able to do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us." And it is but a little time that we shall be called to these sacrifices. Soon we shall be beyond the reach of all our adversaries : having " suffered with Christ, and overcome through him, we shall soon be glorified together, and sit down with him upon his throne, as he overcame, and is set down with his Father upon his throne q."]