be willing to suffer in conformity to his example. He must not indeed bring trials on himself by his own misconduct : but, if the cross lie in his way, he should not be solicitous to avoid it ; but rather should take it up and carry it. Nor, while he is bearing the cross, should he account it a heavy and insup- portable load ; but should glory in it, and " rejoice that he is counted worthy" to bear it. This too should be the dailt/ habit of his mind^ Let us view a malefactor bearing to the place of execution a part of the cross whereon he is shortly to be fixed'', and then we shall see the degraded state in which the Christian must be content to walk in the midst of an ungodly world. If he be regarded with even a shadow of respect, he must consider it as gain, for which he did not stipulate, and which he had no right to look for.]
3. Follow Christ—
[While we profess to rely on Christ for our acceptance with God, we must also follow him as our pattern and ex- ample. In the whole of our conduct we must endeavour to " walk as he walked." Though we are not to do in all respects the very things which he did, yet we are to manifest in all things the same spirit and temper. Like him, we must abhor sin even in thought ; Hke him, sit loose to all the things of time and sense; like him devote ourselves entirely to our God. Nor are we to draw back when persecution arises, but still to " follow our Lord without the camp, bearing his reproach''." Yea, if such a death awaited us as our Lord himself endured, we are not to shrink back from it, but to go boldly forward : the language of our hearts must be, " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy''."]
Doubtless these things are difficult : but we shall not be deterred from duty by any difficulties, if we duly consider,
II. The importance of it —
On our faithfulness unto death our eternal salvation depends. It may be that we may be called to die for the sake of Christ —
[In the first ages of Christianity, martyrdom for the truth was common: and, since its establishment in the world, thou- sands have been called to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Christ. Nor are we to conclude from the rest that we enjoy, that our faith and patience shall never be put to the test.
a Luke ix. 23. ^ Hence the word /wrc/Jer.
<'■ Heb. xiii. 13. ^ Acts xx. 24.