1 Pet. i. 6, 7. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,
THE enlightening and converting of souls are the first objects of a minister's attention : nevertheless, the comforting of God's people is also an essential part of his duty. This was the special direction which God gave to the prophet of olda: it is a con- formity to the Divine Exemplar* : it is the fruit of the comforts they themselves receive0." St. Peter is a striking pattern of a sympathizing and affectionate pastor. He writes to the Christians who were scat- tered through divers countries ; and begins with setting before them the richest topics of consolation*1. He shews them the blessed end for which their pre- sent troubles are suffered to come upon them —
I. The state and condition of God's people —
Believers have at all times within themselves a ground of joy j yet they are also frequently oppressed with deep and pungent sorrow. They experience a peculiar and united exercise of these opposite affec- tions.
They "greatly rejoice" in the mercy which has been vouchsafed unto them —
[They have been begotten of God to a lively hope of a glorious inheritance : they see that inheritance reserved for them, and themselves kept for it. This cannot but be matter of exceeding joy to them at all times.]
But they are at the same time encompassed with manifold temptations —
[They are hated, reviled, and persecuted by the world : they are assailed with " the fiery darts of the devil :" they are harassed with innumerable corruptions in their own hearts.]
Through these temptations they are sometimes "in great heaviness" —
[Grace does not destroy, but only moderates our natural feelings. Christians therefore may be deeply oppressed with grief: not that God will suffer them to continue always in heaviness. Nevertheless he permits them to be in this state occasionally, and " for a season."]
There is " a necessity" that they should undergo trials of this kind —
a Isai. xlii. 1. » 2 Cor. vii. 6. c 2 Thess. i. 3, 4. d ver. 3-
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