Rom. viii. 18. / reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not ivorthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
AN expectation of ultimate advantage is that, which gives activity to men in every situation of life. But, while it operates with full force in things relating to this world, its influence is scarcely felt by the
generality of mankind in relation to things spiritual and eternal. Hence they are easily drawn aside from the path of duty by the allurements of time and sense, or driven from it by the terrors of persecution : whereas, if they would duly estimate the pleasures or pains of this present life, and weigh them in a balance against the glory and felicity of the world to come, they would be stimulated to patience and diligence in well-doing, since they could not but see with the Apostle, that the one were not worthy to be named in comparison of the other.
That we may judge of the Apostle's estimate, I will endeavour to set before you the trials of the saint in this life, and the glory that awaits him in tlie life to come.
I. Distinctly —
The trials of a saint in this life are great —
[" Man is born to trouble," and every man must expect his share of it in this world : but the saints have a greater por- tion of it than others.
hi common ivith others, they are called to endure pain of body, distress of mind, loss of friends, embarrassment of cir- cumstances, and every other evil incident to this mortal state.
But besides all this, they have many trials peculiar to them- selves. From within, they are often bowed down under a sense of guilt, or under their indwelling corruptions : they are sometimes harassed with temptations, which, as fiery darts, wound and inflame their inmost souls : and sometimes they are overwhelmed with the hidings of their Father's face, and ready to sink in utter despair. How grievous these sensations are, no words can adequately express. They are also not a little tried from without. The contempt, the hatred, the persecutions they endure, are often grievous to be borne ; and would shake their fidelity, if they were not upheld and strengthened by their God.
Let this accumulated load be weighed as in a balance, and it will be found exceeding heavy, insomuch that, "if in this life only they had hope," the saints would be of all men in the most pitiable condition.]
But the glory that awaits him is also great —
[There is a glory that shall be revealed to us, and a glory that shall be revealed in us : both of these are included in the
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