Vers. 29, 30.-Tlie prim1,ege of suiferifl!J, There is reason given, by way of encouragement, for their steadfastness in suffering. "For unto you it was freely given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe upon him, but also to suffer for his sake." L Tm: DISPENSATION OF SUFFERING ASSIGNED TO THE BAmTs. Their sufferings fall not out by chance. They are divinely ordered. They are even divinely given. 1. Their ability to endure these sufferings is the gift of Christ. " In the world ye shall have tribulation; in me ye shall have peace." "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." 2. Their comforts in suffering are the gift of Ghrist. Thus they are led t-0 i"ejoice i.o tribulation, for he has sent his Comfort.er to dwell in their hearts. 8. The sufferings in question are profitabl,e to themselves as well as honouring to the Lord. He doth not afflict willingly, but for our profit. Through our sufferin11: we mav glorify the Lord by encouraging and confirming the faith of others. 4. The suffer- ing~ will •not be without rewar-d. "If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him" (2 'l'im. ii. 12). "Illeseed are you when men persecute you • .- • for great is your reward in heaven" (Matt. v. 11, 12). ll FAITH IN CH.B.IBT MUST GO BEFORE BUJl'FEBING FOB IIIM. "Unto you it is given . . . to believe upon him." 1. Faith iB God's gift, as it is the first effect of regeneration, which is God's work. Christ purchased for us, not merely salvation, but all the means thereunto. It is the Lord who opens our eyes, renews our wills, and persuades and enables w; to accept Christ i.o the gospel. 2. It is by this faith we are enabled to suffer 7,atierdly. Without the shield of faith we could not resist the anger of persecutors. By faitli we are made strong at the root like the seaweed that grows on the rock, no matter how mnch it may be lashed hither and thither by the ceaseless action of the waves. Ill. ENCOURAGEMENT TO PATIENT PERBEVEBANOE BY TilE EXAMPLE 011' THE APOSTLE. "Having the same e-0nflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me," '!'here must be a right spirit as well as a good cause t-0 suffer for. 1. The similalrity between tJ.e ,ufferings of tl~ apostui and thoae of his converts. (1) It was in tlw eame place- Oll" I, 1-30,] 'rIIE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE PHILIPPIANS. 21
Philippi. (Acts xvi. 19.) (2) It was, pobably, from the same adversari,,s, Gentik, and Jews. (3) It was a conflict in both cases trying to flesh and blood. 2. The suffer- ings of the ministers of Christ ought to encourage their peopl,e to like patience a,ncl {irmness.-'r. c.