" turned out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel : for his bonds in Christ being manifest in all the imperial palace, and in all other places, many of his brethren, waxing confident by his bonds, were so much the more bold to speak the word without fear""." Thus, though he was bound, " the word of God was not bound ;" on the contrary, " it had free course and was glorified :" and the tidings which he received respecting the steadfastness of his converts, far overbalanced all his pains and sorrows. Hear how he speaks of this in his First Epistle to the Thessalonians : " When Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, we were comforted over you, brethren, in all our affliction and distress by your faith : for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord"."
And who that loves his people will not gladly lead them in the van of the battle, if he may but encourage them to " fight the good fight of faith?" Surely no good soldier of Jesus Christ will regret the wounds he receives in this holy conflict, if others be animated by his example to " quit themselves like men" till they have gained the victory.]
Address —
1. Those who are afraid of suffering for Christ's sake —
[Let it not be thought that the cross of Christ is so heavy as it appears to be. Were we indeed left to bear it alone, or were there no consolations afforded by him to his suffering people, we might well be terrified at the idea of being called to sustain it. But the Lord himself will lighten it by his almighty power, and will succour us with such preternatural strength, that, instead of sinking under the weight, we shall rejoice that we are counted worthy to bear it, and shall account our very sufferings an inestimable gift bestowed upon us for his sake". And if here we are enabled so to " glory in the cross of Christ," what shall we do hereafter ? Do any of those who once " came out of great tribulation," now regret any thing that they ever endured for Christ's sake ? Are not their pre- sent joys an abundant recompence for all their sorrows p?
Fear not then to follow Christ, though you should
have to take up the heaviest cross that can be laid upon you : for, if you will but bear it after him, you shall find that " his yoke is easy, and his burthen light."]
2. Those who have experienced the consolations of the Gospel —
m Phil. i. 12 — 14. " 1 Thess. iii. 6 — 8.
0 Phil. i. 29. P Rev. vii. 1.3—17.