declaration from God himself; and shall unfold to
yon,
I. God's testimony respecting his tempted people — "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation" — This sentiment doubtless, at first sight, appears
very paradoxical —
[How can it be ? Consider the state of God's tempted people. Consider only the lighter trials which they are called to bear lea* their Lord's sake : hatred, reproach, contempt, ridicule, the opposition of their nearest friends and relatives ; this, every one that will follow the Lord Jesus Christ, must endure : a variety of circumstances may tend to screen a man from heavier trials ; but these, in some measure at least, are the lot of all, even of the least and poorest of Christ's followers, as well as of the most conspicuous among them : let the light but shine even into the poorest cottage, and the surrounding darkness will evince its incapacity to maintain communion with it. But come to the severer trials which thousands have to sustain : think of privations, the most distressing that can be imagined to flesh and blood : think of bonds, and impri- sonment : think of death in its most terrible and appalling forms : shall it be said that there is any blessedness in these ? Must we not rather say, that the persons who are called to endure such things are in the most wretched state ? Yes, I must confess, as St. Paul himself says, " If in this life only such persons have hope, they are of all men most miserable," and altogether in a most pitiable condition. Nevertheless, whilst we heartily subscribe to this position of the Apostle, we must still say of the declaration in our text, that]
Yet it is most true —
[These sufferings must be viewed in their reference to eternity ; and then they will wear a very different aspect from what they do when considered merely in themselves. For, " to those who love him and suffer for him, God has promised a crown of life, which they shall receive" at his hands the very instant that their sufferings are finished. Consider, " a crown ! " the highest of all distinctions ! " a crown of life ! " not a cor- ruptible one, like those which were given to the victors in the Olympic games ; nor a temporary one, which is soon to be transferred to a successor ; — a crown of life and glory, which fadeth not away ! Conceive of the saint as just entering into the eternal world, and ascending to heaven from the flames of martyrdom : what a cloud of witnesses come forth to congra- tulate him on his victory, and to welcome him to those blest abodes ! Behold him welcomed too by his Lord and Master,
2356.] god's testimony of his tempted people. 25
for whose name he has suffered, and under whose banners he has fought : hear the plaudit with which he is received, " Well done, good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." See the crown brought forth, and put upon his h ead ; and behold him seated on the very throne of God him- self, according to that promise, " To him that overcometh, will I give to sit down with me upon my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father upon his throne :" I say, behold these things, and then tell me, whether the pro- spect of such glory, assured to him by the promise and oath of God, did not constitute him blessed in the midst of all his sufferings ? Of the myriads, respecting whom it is said, " These all came out of great tribulation," do you suppose there is one who regrets the sufferings he once endured for the sake of Christ? Not one assuredly: not one, who does not congra- tulate himself that he was ever counted worthy to suffer for the "Redeemer's sake. But is St. James peculiar in his senti- ments on this head ? No ; our blessed Lord bids all " who suffer for righteousness' sake, to rejoice and leap for joyb :" and to the same effect speak all his holy Apostles0. Though therefore " no suffering is for the present joyous, but grievous," yet, taken in connexion with their present consolations, and with all the future consequences, sufferings may justly be regarded as grounds of self-congratulation and joyd.]