3. How thankful we should be that we are permit- ted to serve the Lord Christ on such easy terms !
[Though we must all have some cross to bear, yet our
P Phil. ii. 17. q 1 Cor. X. 13. >■ Rom. viii. 35—37.
" Gen. xxii. 14. ' Deut. xxxii. 36. " Job xxii. 29
2015.] christians' trials magnify their lord. 497
trials are nothing in comparison of those that were endured by the primitive Church. The worst that we are called to sustain is, a sneer, an opprobrious name, or some trivial loss. How light would the first Christians have accounted such petty sufferings as these ! Yet even by these are many amongst us so intimidated, that they dare not to confess Christ openly. What then would such persons do, if the sword of persecution were drawn against them now, as in former days, or as at the time of the Reformation in our own land, when so many were burnt alive for the Gospel's sake? Well may we be thankful that such trials of our faith as these no longer exist : for, if such a sifting time were to arise, many, very many, amongst us, it is to be feared, would be found no better than chaffs : many who now look gay, " receiving the word with joy, would on the rising of temptation and persecution presently fall away^, and make shipwreck of their faith." Let us all then he thankful for
the rest we enjoy and improve it for our more abundant
edification in faith and love^ ; that, if God should see fit again to loose the chain by which our great adversary is bound, we may " be able to resist in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand."]
4. What under all circumstances should be our main concern —
[The end for which such grievous persecutions were per- mitted to harass the primitive Church was, that Christ's power and grace might be visibly seen in those who were called to endure them : and this very consideration made St. Paul to " take pleasure in all his distresses," because he knew, that the power of Christ would rest upon him, and " be per- fected in his weakness ^" In like manner should we also rise superior to the concerns of time and sense, and be anxious only, " that Christ may be glorified in our body, whether by life or death ''." He is now seated at the right hand of God, and possesses " all power both in heaven and earth." In him is treasured up all fulness for the use of his Church, that out of it all his members may receive according to their several necessities. He is their life''; and " they live by him, exactly as he, when on earth, lived by his Father'*," with whom he was altogether one^ In all his miracles the finger of God appeared, because they were wrought by God : so in all the exercises of our spiritual life Christ is seen : because it is only by strength communicated from him, that we can either do, or suffer, as we ought f. Let this then be our endeavour, namely,
^ Amos ix. 9. y Matt. xiii. 20, 21. ^ Acts ix. 31.
^ 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10. b Phil. i. 20. ^ Col. iii. 4.
'^ John vi. 56, 57. ^ Johnx. 30. f Phil. iv. 13.