so bright in contrast with the spirit and conduct of our ungodly persecutors. They aiv the means, too, of augmenting our happiness in t lu- eternal world ; since there is not ;i sacrifice which we are called to make, or a Suffering to endure, which shall not be richly recompensed al the resurrection of the justR.
If it be said, that it is an intolerable hardship to suffer, when we have given no occasion whatever for man's displeasure ; I answer, your innocence should operate rather to lighten, than to aggravate, your affliction ; since it administers sweet conso- lation to your own soul, and serves as a testimony in your behalf before God. If your punishment were merited, you would have no ground for approbation, either before God, or in your own minds, for submitting patiently to it : but, if you suffer patiently for well-doing, you evince a truly gracious disposition, and render an acceptable service to your God.
This, then, we are to consider as a precept given to us, under whatever injuries we may be called to sustain : we must "possess our souls in patience11;" and "let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, lacking- nothing1."]
To this precept the Apostle adds,
II. An example for our imitation —
Not one of all the children of men was ever so blameless as our Lord Jesus Christ —
[" In him was no sink ;" " nor was any guile found in his mouth1." He appealed even to his bitterest enemies ; " which of you convinceth me of sinm?" With all the disposition to criminate him that the most inveterate malignity could cherish, his accusers were all put to shame, and his judge proclaimed his innocence".]
Yet, never was man so evil-entreated as he —
[Scarcely was he come into the world, before his life was sought ; and for the sake of securing, at all events, his destruc- tion, thousands of poor innocents were slain. During the four years of his ministry, there was nothing too malignant for his enemies to say concerning him: "He was a deceiver":" He was "a devil, and was mad p." The efforts made to take away his life were continual : and the more good works he did, the fiercer was men's rage against him : nor did his enemies rest, till they had attained their end, and nailed him to the accursed tree.]
g 1 Pet. iv. 12 — 1G. h Luke xxi. 19. > Jam. i. 3, 4.
k 1 John iii. 5. • Isai. lih. 9. - m John viii. 46.
" Luke xxiii. 4. ° Matt, xxvii. 63.
P John vii. 20. viii. 48. and x. 20.