busybodi~ They must imitate the Lord Jesus who said," Man who made me a turlt-e_ or a ~ivider o~er yo~?''. (Luke xii. 14). ;, Be much at hom'e," says Leighton, settmg thmgs at nghts w1thm your own breast, where there is so much ,vork and sue~ d~ly need of diligence, a~d then you will find no leisure for uunecessa.ry' idle pr:nng mto the ways and affairs of others; and further than your calling and the rules of Christian charity engage you, you will not interpose in any matters without yon, nor be found proud sod censorious, as the world is ready to call yo\L" 2. Ie is suffering for well.-d-Oing that is blessed. Suffering in itself has no spiritual value• it softens some, it hardens others; it saves some, to others it worketh death. But suffering for Christ's sake is always blessed. If any man is called to suffer as a Chris- tian, he must not be ashamed; for the Son of man will be ashamed in the last day of those who n~w. are ashamed of him before men. We must confess him openly in the world; and 1f m any way we are called to suffer because we belona to Christ and own him as our Master, we must glorify God because we are coUD~d worthy to suffer shame for his Na.me. III. THE SUFFEB.INGS OJ' CmwrrIANS 1'00."T ONWABDS TO THE JUDGIIENT, 1. Judg- ment must begin at the hou.se of God. God bates sin; he hates it most in those who are nearest to him; he would have those on whom his love rests clean from its defilinu touch. Therefore" whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth; n therefore be says, "Yo~ !Inly have I known of all the families of the earth : therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities" (Amos iii. 2). Sometimes the Church passes through seasons of great affliction ; one such season was at hand when St. Peter wrote. lt would be a fiery trial, but the fire was a refining fire. It was kindled in a sense by the malice of Satan and the wickedness of evil men; but in a true and higher sense it came by the overruling will of God. Therefore it must be sent in love, in fatherly care for their souls. This thought sweetens snffering t;o the believer; it is our Father who sends it, and he sends it in mercy. "Judgment must begin at the honse of God;" partly, indeed, because the sins of Christians, committed against light and against knowledge, are more grievous than the sins of those who know not the gospel; but mainly because the love of God is a wise and holy love, and though " he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men," yet he chastens us for our pro.fit, that we mp.y be partakers of his holiness. Judgment begins with the house of God; even the righteous ;Lre "scarcely saved." Not that their salvation is for a moment doubtful; Christ is able to save even to the uttermost all who come to God by him. But salvation is a great and difficult work; we are bidden to work ont our salvation with fear and trembling; and, work as we may, we could not work it out for ourselves, were it not that God worketh in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure. n The righteous is scarcely mved, because his enemies are so many and so strong, and he so weak and sinful; t.emptations swarm aroUDd him, and there are sinful lusts within his heart to which those temptations address themselves. He needs all the armour of light-the breast- plate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the tipirit ; he mnst fight the good fight of faith ; he must watch and pray; he must quit himself like a man, "enduring hardness as a gc:.d soldier of Jesus Christ." But if the righteous is scarcely saved, what hope of salvation have the careless and the slothful? If men are indifferer,t, listless in their religious exercises, without zeal, without enthu- sillsm, without self-denial, can they be walking in the narrow way? And there is no other way that leads to heaven. 2. It ends with the disobe,dient. When God's people are judged, they are chastened of the Lord. that they should not be condemned with the world. J udgment in their case is tran.&itory; it soon makes room for mercy ; it was sent in mercy, and it issues in mercy. Bot it rests upon the disobedient. They will not listen to the gospel of God, the good news of salvation sent from heaven. God is not willing that any should perish; he sought to save them ; they would not accept the terms of salvation. He gave his blessed Son to die for them; they" counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing." Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear in the awful day? 3. Believer, have no cause for terror. 'l'hey a.re judged now that they should be saved at the last. '!'heir sufferings are according to the will of God, and that will is their aanctification now, their salvation hereafter. He is their Crea.tor; he will not despise the work of his OWI! hands. He bath begotten them again t-0 a lively hope; hi!, saiote are right dear to h:m; he is faithful; his troth abideth; 011, 1v. 1-19.J 'I'IIE FlllST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 183
l:is promise is sure. Let his chosen live in obedience, in well-doinu and then let. them commit their souls to him. "Father, into thy hands I comrn~;d my spirit," were the dyini:: words of Christ. Let these words be our daily prayer; let us commit our souls to him in life and in rlcatb. We need his gracious keepin~ every day to keep those souls of ours se.fe from the evil one and pure from sin ; and oh, how shall we need that holy lf:eepi_ng in the hour of our death ! . ~ay we have grace, then, to rrust ourselves to him 1n humble confidence and Chnst1an hope, learning c,f o·Jr i,lessed Lord, not only bow to live, but also how to die! LESSONS. 1. The Christian _should not count suffering strange; it mnst corLe sooner or later: "Ye must through much tribulation enteT into the kingdom of God." ., He should rejoice, for suffering brings him nearer to the cross.. 3. After the cross cometh the crown; even now the Holy Spirit of God rests npon his sufferin!!'; children. 4. The judgment i.~ at band: prepare for it. 5. The righteous are "scarcely saved·., "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." 6. "\Vhere shall the ungodiy and the sinner appear'/" "Flee from the wrath to come."