and to bring down into their souls an increase both of grace and peace. In a word, the tribulations which they had already endured, " had wrought patience, and experience, and hope ;" and therefore, instead of trembling at the prospect of future trials, it became every believer to hold fast the profession of his faith, and, together with that, the rejoicing of his hope firm unto the end."]
What we have spoken sufficiently shews the scope of the Apostle's advice as given to the Hebrews to whom he wrote ; and having ascertained that, we are prepared to consider it,
II. As applicable to ourselves —
That there are many amongst ourselves, who, through the tender mercy of our God, " have been illuminated " with divine truth, we firmly believe : and to a certain extent the same consequences have followed, and do still follow, a profession of the Gospel in these latter times, as in the days of old. To all of you then who have been illuminated, we would offer the same advice as the Apostle did to the Hebrew converts, persuaded that it will be pro- fitable,
1. For our humiliation —
[" Call to remembrance the former days," when first ye received the knowledge of the truth, and see whether there was not much in your experience then which may justly operate for your humiliation now. You then saw and bewailed your lost estate both by nature and practice, and gladly fled for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ, as to the hope set before you in the Gospel. Having obtained a view of him as your Redeemer and your all-prevailing Intercessor, you rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable, so that you seemed to be come as it were into a new world. Then the cares and pleasures of this life ap- peared to you as empty vanities, that were scarcely worth a thought : and then, whatever you were called to suffer, whether of loss or shame, for Christ's sake, appeared to you rather a ground of joy than of sorrow, insomuch that " you took joy- fully" the injuries that were inflicted on you, and rejoiced that you were counted worthy to sustain them for Jesus' sake. Nothing intimidated you ; nothing was suffered to retard your progress. With the world under your feet, and heaven in your eye, you went on cheerfully, and made your profiting daily to appear.