And who amongst us has not on many occasions betrayed the same weakness ?
[We have borne up with fortitude perhaps against some trials, which have been light and transient; but how have we sustained those which were heavy, complicated, and of long continuance ? When our troubles have arisen from those who were our avowed enemies, we have endured them manfully : but when they have come from a quarter that we did not expect, or from a quarter from whence we had reason to expect nothing but support and consolation, how have we endured them the7i ? If some near relative, or a friend that was as our own soul, have been the immediate cause of our affliction, and our enemies have been those of our own house- hold, have we not given way to complaint and murmuring ? Yea, have not our very spirits failed by reason of vexation, insomuch that we could find scarce any comfort in life. If we have not been turned from the faith, like those who were afraid to confess Christ s, have we not been diverted from the path of duty, and been led to manifest a vindictive spirit instead of overcoming evil with good ? Let this then suffice to shew us how weak we are, and how much we need the supports and consolations of the Gospel.]
But in the text the Apostle informs us,
II. That a view of Christ's patience under his suffer- ings will afford us most effectual relief —
Many are the consolations which the Gospel ad- ministers, by pointing out to us the author and the intent of our trials, together with the benefits result- ing from them. But there is no source of comfort so great as that which the consideration of Christ's sufferings opens to us.
The contradiction of sinners which Christ endured was wonderful indeed —
[Consider the unreasonableness with which he was opposed, when, notwithstanding the myriads of miracles that he wrought, his enemies were continually demanding more signs, and pre- tending- a want of evidence as the ground of their unbelief. Consider the obstinacy with which he was rejected, when his victory over the devils was ascribed to a confederacy with them ; and Lazarus himself was made an object of murderous resentment, because his restoration from the grave was the means of converting some who were more open to conviction.
e John \ii. 42.
2335.] Christ's patience under sufferings. 457
Consider the malice with which he was persecuted. Incessantly did his enemies labour to ensnare him, and seek to take away his life. And, when they had a prospect of effecting tlieir purpose, there was no method, however infamous, which they did not use to accomplish their wishes. With what inveteracy did they suborn false witnesses ; and, on the failure of that device, compel the judge by clamours and menaces, to give sentence against him ! Consider the cruelly with which he was put to death. They might, one would have thought, have been satisfied with seeing his back torn, and even ploughed up, with scourges : but their cruelty was insatiable ; for, even when he was nailed to the accursed tree, they ceased not to mock and insult him, and to add by their indignities a tenfold poignancy to all his anguish.
Yet, notwithstanding the contradiction of sinners against him was so great and unparalleled, he endured it all with patience, never fainting, never wearied, till he expired under the accumulated load.]
A due consideration of this will keep us from faint- ing under our sorrows —
[ What are our sorrows in comparison of his ? The utmost we have met with is a little contempt and ridicule, or perhaps the loss of some worldly interests or prospects. " We have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin^^;" and any thing short of that should be deemed unworthy of our notice. How slight are the aggravations of our sufferings in compariso7i of his ! If we do not deserve such treatment from man, have we not merited infinitely worse from God ? But he was altogether spotless ; nor could either men or devils lay any thing to his charge. Perhaps we have endeavoured to do some good to those who now hate and revile us : but he came from heaven for the salvation of them that hated him ; yea, and subjected himself to the power of his enemies, on purpose that he might effect their reconciliation with God. If then he patiently endured such things for us, should we faint when called to endure some light afflictions for him ? Surely we should rather rejoice that an opportunity is afforded us of testifying our love to him, and of approving ourselves faithful to his interests.]