m 1 PETER, IV. 1~>— 1G. [2108.
of words, he may be silent, as a lamb before its shearers : but by his actions, he proclaims in accents that cannot be mis- understood, ' My Lord is worthy of all this: never can I shew my love to him sufficiently: if I had a thousand lives, they would be well disposed of in his service : I am ready to bear any tiling for him; and am so far from regretting that my love is thus put to the test, that I am thankful for it, inasmuch as it gives me an opportunity of evincing my sense of his excellency, and the ardour of my love towards him.'
In another view, too, his sufferings advance the glory of God ; because they shew how powerful that grace must be, which enables a poor feeble worm to bear them, yea, and to rejoice and glory in them. Many persecutors have been per- fectly amazed at the patience of the saints under the most cruel torments that could be inflicted on them : and have been led by the very conduct of the sufferers, not only to embrace the principles which were so mighty in operation, but even to subject themselves to the same torments which they themselves had inflicted upon them.
How does divine grace triumph on such occasions as these ! And who would not be willing to suffer, if only Christ might be so magnified, and the efficacy of his grace be so displayedp?]
4. Our eternal happiness is augmented —
[Soon will that Saviour who once died upon the cross come again in his glory to judge the world. Then will he gather together his elect from every quarter of the world ; and bestow on them that recompence of reward, to which, whilst suffering for his sake, they had looked forward. He had told them beforehand, that " if they suffered with him, they should also be glorified together." He had told them, that their light and momentary afflictions should work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Even whilst they were in this life, he had given them an hundred-fold for all that they had lost or endured for his sake : but then will be the time for their " full reward."
Tell me then, I pray you, Will Moses in that day regret that he had " esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt?" Or will those feel any regret, who, " when tortured, would not accept deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection?" Will any of the Apostles regret that they sealed the truth with their blood? Or will any of you regret that you were " faithful unto death, when God shall put upon your heads the crown of life?" No: one moment of that joy will far overbalance whole years of pain. What then will not be our triumph through all eternity?]
p Phil. i. 20. 2 Cor. iv. 10, 11.