Now in this way did the primitive saints shew their regard for Christ : when informed what sacrifices they should be called to make for him, they counted the cost; and considered the pearl cheaply purchased at the price of all that they possessed".
And is this pearl sunk in value ? Does not the Lord Jesus Christ deserve as much at our hands as he did at theirs? Yes; it is in this way that we must all receive him: we must " account all things but loss and dung, that we may win him :" and " if we hate not father and mother, and even our own lives also in comparison of him, we cannot be his disciples." Inquire, brethren, whether you have ever come to Christ in this way? whether you have ever had such exalted views of his excellency, as to determine you to know nothing, and value nothing, but him? and whether you have felt such a deep sense of your obligations to him as to " glory in the cross for his sake," and to make even the most cruel death for his sake a subject of congratulation and joy, rather than of
™ 1 Cor. XV. 29. " Acts viii. 4. « Matt. xiii. 46.
sorrow and condolence p? "When such are our views of Christ, and such the dispositions of our minds towards him, then, and then only, have we any scriptural evidence that we truly know him, and really belong to him.]
2. What rich provision we have in Christ —
[If we are Christ's, we must expect " fiery trials to try us ;" for " all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But " if our afflictions abound for his sake, he will make our consolations to abound also." In this respect the Apostle's experience shall be realized in us : like him, we may be greatly tried; but, " though troubled on every side, we shall not be so straitened" as to have no way to escape : we may be so "perplexed," as not to know what to do; but *' we shall not be left to despair," as though we had none at hand that was able to help or deliver. We may be " per- secuted" by the whole human race ; yet shall we " not be for- saken" by our God : we may be " cast down," and apparently vanquished, for a season ; but we shall " not ultimately be destroyed." This is expressly promised to every member of the Church of Christ. " He will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation make also a way to escape, that we may be able to bear ifi :" and in the full confidence of this we may exult as the Apostle did, " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribu- lation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us^" Our extremities may be such as almost to destroy all hope: but they shall be the seasons of his effectual interposition. " In the mount He shall be seen" by us, just as he was by Abraham^ : " when he sees that our power is gone, and that there is none shut up or left" to assist us, " then will he repent himself for us, and interpose for our relief* :" and *' when we are cast down, then shall we say. There is lifting up : for God will save the humble person^." Beloved brethren, know what provision there is for you in
this adorable Savioiir and, whilst you reflect on " the
help which is thus laid up for you on One that is mighty," learn to confide in him, and to say, " If God be for me, who can be against me ?" " If my God and Saviour be on my side, I will not fear what either men or devils can do against me."]