heaven, and make us acquainted with the place, the company, the employment ? Suffice it, however, to know, that the felicity of all the glorified saints shall be accorded to those who are conquerors in this glorious warfare^ ]
And w^ill not that abundantly compensate for all that we can ever do or suffer for Christ ?
[Our sufferings, be they ever so heavy, are, in fact, but short and light even in our present estimation, provided we are looking steadfastly to the " things which are invisible and eternal *'." How light, then, will they appear, when once we come into the possession of that glory ! Truly, if 7iow, in the midst of all our trials, we say, that " the sufferings of this pre- sent life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us^;" much more shall we say so, when all our troubles shall have passed away, and all the fulness of heavenly blessing shall be poured into our souls ]
Application —
1. Let those who are just entering on the Christian course " first sit down and count the cost" —
[You well know how a man beginning to build a house, and relinquishing the work for want of funds to complete it, exposes himself to shame and ridicule amongst men. And to what shame will you be exposed in the presence of God, if, after having begun to follow Christ, you turn back, for want of fortitude to bear the cross wdiich you had taken up for his sake ! You must expect tribulation for his sake : you must expect persecution even unto death: and you must be " willing not only to be bound, but also to die for his sake," At the same time, you may expect grace sufficient for you in the time of trial. Only look to Him, and depend on him ; and he will never leave you, nor forsake you ; " nor shall any tempta- tion come upon you without a supply of grace equal to your day, or a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it''." This do then : put into one scale all that man can inflict on the body ; and in the other, all that God can confer upon the soul, i?i time, to sustain you under your sufferings ; and iji eterniUj, to recompense you for them. This do, I say ; and you need not fear but that, how numerous soever your enemies may be, you shall be " more than conquerors through Him who loved you."]
2. Let all expect trials, " even to the end" —
[" Never are you to put off your armour," till God gives you a discharge from this warfare. Satan, when repulsed in
e Rev. iii. 5, 12, 21. f 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.
g Rom. viii. 18. '^ 1 Cor. x. V6.