[Would any one wish lor a testimony from God, that he is in the right way, ami that God is well-pleased with him? Behold, that is the very satisfaction which such evil treatment is intended to convey : " They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you; delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons; being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake: and it shall turn to you for a testimony111." But it is, in fact, a participation of Christ's sufferings, and a source of great glory to God. And is that a ground of sorrow? No; but rather of exalted joy; as the Apostle tells us: " Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy arc ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part, he is evil spoken of; but on your part, he is glori- fied"." In truth, it is a signal honour conferred upon us : and, instead of repining at it, we ought to " rejoice that we are counted worthy" to sustain it0. But to speak of it thus, is, in reality, to come very far short of the statement which should be given : for, if the truth be spoken, it is a most invaluable gift : " Unto you it is given, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake1'." Yes, it is conferred as God's choicest gift, in answer to the prayers of his only dear Son. In bestowing upon us pardon, and peace, and holiness, and glory, God gives to us : but when we are permitted to suffer for righteousness' sake, zve give to God : we give our reputation, our property, our body, our life, to be disposed of according to his will, and for the glory of his name. And surely this is an honour in which we ought to rejoice with most unfeigned and exalted joyq.]
2. It is no just occasion for fear —
[I will grant, that there is a confederacy of the whole world against us : (that is the case supposed by the prophet, whose words are cited in my text1:) What can they do? Thev cannot touch so much as a hair of our head, without the special permission of our Gods: nor can they do any one thing which shall not be overruled for our eternal good1. Hear the representation which holy David gives us of this matter: " The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him u." And if the Lord " laugh," shall we cry ? God designs both to prepare us for glory, and to increase to us the measure of our happiness to all eternity: and for these ends he permits
™ Lukexxi. 12, 13. n 1 Pet. iv. 13, 14. ° Acts v. 41.
p Phil. i. 20. 'i .Matt. v. 12. * Isai.viii. 12, 13.
« Matt. x. -'■'.. 30. * Rom. viii. 28. « Ps. xxxvii. 12, 13.