1 Pet. iv. 12 — 16. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you : but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par- takers 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 are 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 glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other mens matters. Yet, if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed ; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
THE quiet and repose which Christians enjoy at this day, may seem to render a discourse on the subject of persecution quite uninteresting. But the whole New Testament abounds with warnings to expect it, encouragements to endure it, and direc- tions how to conduct ourselves under it: nor is there any intimation given that this state of things was to be confined to the first ages, when Christianity was new in the world ; or that " the offence of the cross should ever cease." On the contrary, we are taught to expect, that " they who are born after the flesh only, will hate those who are born after the Spirit ;" and that " all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." The circumstance of Chris- tianity having become the national religion, may justly be supposed to have abated somewhat of the fury of persecutors ; whilst the protection afforded by the laws of the land keeps within bounds their hostility against those whom they hate for righteous- ness' sake. But I am not sure that much of our re- pose may not be ascribed to the low state of religion amongst us : and I cannot but think, that, if God were to pour out his Spirit upon us as he did on the primitive Church, and our light were to burn as bright as theirs, there would yet be found much the