of peace from Christ enabled him to glory in his infirmities, and even to take pleasure in the most complicated distresses5.
Moreover, this knowledge will transform the soul into the image of God. Before his conversion, his zeal shewed itself in persecuting unto death the greatest friends both of God and man : how unlike the conduct of Jesus, who died for his very enemies ! But when converted to the faith, he had " continual sorrow in his heart on account of his brethren's obstinacy, and wished himself even accursed from Christ for their sake*1." He, like his Divine Master, was willing to die for his enemies, and rejoiced exceedingly in the prospect of being sacrificed for the good of the Church r. To what can we ascribe this change, but to the knowledge of Christ8 ? And if to that, what reason had he to prize it !
Lastly, this knowledge will avail for the salvation of allivho possess it. Paul, though he thought himself " alive" before his conversion, found at last that he was really " dead* :" but after his conversion, he was no longer dead, either in reality, or in his own apprehension : he frequently speaks with the fullest assurance respecting the safety of his state" ; and teaches all who know Christ to expect with confidence a crown of righteousness in the day of judgment x.
On such grounds we must not only approve the Apostle's judgment, but account it madness to differ from him.]
Application —
[All of us possess something which we account gain. Some are more elevated by birth or fortune, others by educa- tion and learning: some value themselves on their moral qualities; others on their religious attainments: let us freely acknowledge the gain which may be found in these things y: but let us never forget that there is one thing of infinitely greater value than all those together, and for which our gain must be accounted loss. To have a distinct experimental knowledge of Christ, to be able to say, " He has loved me, and given himself for me" is of more value than ten thousand worlds : it is that, and that alone, which can ever comfort, sanctify, or save the soul. Let us then seek to know Christ and him crucified, and to " grow in the knowledge of him," till we " see him as we are seen, and know him as we are known."]
p 2 Cor. xii. 7—10. i Rom. ix. 2, 3. r Phil. ii. 17, 18.
s 2 Cor. v. 14. and iii. 18. t Rom. vii. 9.
« 2 Cor. v. 1—4. x 2 Tim. iv. 8.
y If this be the subject of a Commemoration Sermon, the advan- tages arising from the institution may be stated, together with just acknowledgments both to God and the benefactors.