the Divine will, and advancing the Divine glory, upheld him under all circumstances, and far more than counterbalanced all his sufferings. In all this he was " instructed," or, as the word means, initiated, as into a deep mystery6-. It was from an insight into the mystery of the Gospel that he gained this extraordinary and. invaluable grace. From this mystery he acquired the knowledge of God as reconciled to him in Christ Jesus, and as engaged for him to supply his every want both in time and eternity. No other instruction could ever have pro- duced such effects: but the knowledge of this mystery was quite adequate to the occasion, and perfectly sufficient to form his soul to these high attainments. " He was thus crucified to the world by the cross of Christ e."]
Having traced the Apostle's experience, let me,
II. Commend it to your imitation —
What an enviable state was his ! Let me recom- mend it you,
1. As a reasonable state —
[This perfect contentment with our every lot is reason- able, irrespective of all the great mysteries of the Gospel. For, what would our condition have long since been, if God had dealt with us according to our deserts? We should " not have had so much as a drop of water to cool our tongues." Who can reflect one moment upon this, and repine at any lot which he may receive on this side the grave? What! " a living man complain ! a man for the punishment of his sins!" especially when he considers what an infinitely worse portion he merits, and from which there could never be, as now there may, a deliverance, with a transition to the realms of bliss ! But, I suppose you to have been admitted into the school of Christ. I suppose you to be a partaker of his salvation. Tell me then — possessing, as you do, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and looking forward, as you do, to the speedy and everlasting enjoyment of all the glory of heaven — does it be- come you to regard as of any great importance the things of time and sense ? See the Apostle in prison, his feet fast in the stocks, and his back torn with scourges ; and yet his soul so full of joy, that he is singing praises to God at midnight: and will you not be ashamed to complain of your minor sorrows ? Or rather, see the Son of God himself, impoverishing himself to en- rich you, and welcoming death itself in order to advance you to everlasting life: see him, I say, enduring to the end ; when, if it had pleased him, more than twelve legions of angels would
d fXEfxvrj^ai. e Gal. vi. 14.