confer a gift on God himself ! Surely, much as we are in- debted to God for the gift of faith, the giving us an opportu- nity to honour him should be esteemed a far richer obligation, nor should any thing that we possess be of any value in our sight, if we may but have the honour of sacrificing it for his sake.]
2. It is a nobler testimony for God —
[When we believe, we bear testimony for God that his word is true, and that not one jot or tittle of it shall ever fail. But when we suffer for him, that testimony is far more plain and unequivocal. We then declare, not only that God is good and true, but that he is deserving of all that we can possibly do for him ; that there is no service so hard, but we should cheer- fully engage in it ; no suffering so severe, but we should cheer- fully endure it for his sake. Hence it is said, that while "by his enemies God is evil spoken of, on the part of his suffering friends he is glorified."]
3. Tt is a more instructive lesson to the world —
[We cannot exercise faith in Christ, but we must by that very act convey instruction to those around us. We ex- hibit somewhat of that change which takes place in the con- verted ; and are, as it were, " epistles of Christ, known and read of them" who would not read the Scriptures themselves0. But by suffering patiently for Christ's sake, we speak more loudly in their ears : we force them to inquire, what induce- ments we can have to make such sacrifices ? and, whence we derive our ability to sustain such trials? And so efficacious have been the examples of many while enduring the torments of martyrdom, that their very persecutors have been overcome, and converted to God.]
4. It is a clearer evidence of grace —
[Many have believed the Gospel, while yet their hearts were not upright before God. They have been convinced in their judgment, but not converted in their soulsd. The same observation may apply also to some who have suffered for the Gospel's sakee. But a patient enduring of trials for Christ's sake is certainly a very strong test of sincerity. It gives rea- son to hope, that we have attained some measure of conformity to Christ, and that " the Spirit of glory and of God resteth on usf. There may indeed be some corruptions yet remaining to be mortified, which leave room for doubt respecting the present safety of the soul; but if we combine a zealous endeavour to mortify them, with a cheerful submission to the cross of Christ,
c 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. d John ii. 23, 24. Acts viii. 13, 20, 21.
c Gal. iii. 4. f l Pet. iv. 13, 14. with ver. 28.