There was nothing of singularity in the character of the blessed Jesus; except his unspotted holiness, his unbounded benevolence, his perfect conformity to the divine law; his heavenly wisdom; his deadness to the world; his boldness in reproving sin; his entire resignation to his Holy Father's will; his divine power in healing diseases, feeding the hungry, casting out devils, and stilling the raging elements: and yet, with all this display of majesty and glory, of tenderness and compassion, how hated, how despised, how persecuted, was the Saviour of mankind! If they thus treated the master of the house, they will also despise them of his household. "If," said our Lord, "they hated me, they will also hate you." Hast thou, O! my soul, reason to believe, that thou art born from above; that a divine change has passed upon thee? Where are the fruits of faith? Where is the opposition of the world? Examine well; for it is declared- woe be unto you, if all men speak well of you." Is the image of Jesus stamped upon thee? Art thou bold in confessing Christ before men? faithful in discountenancing every thing that is contrary to his blessed word? Dost thou acknowledge him to be the Lord thy righteousness, thy only atonement, advocate, and friend? Lord, grant that I may, through grace, be able to say: "thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." I need not court opposition-only let me live a life of faith in the Son of God; and opposition will be excited, as naturally as fire introduced into water occasions a contest between the two elements: for "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution." The believer's trials frequently arise from HIS PE CULIAR SITUATION. This added to the former, namely, his general character as a true Christian, whereby he tacitly condemns the conduct of a wicked world, brings still greater odium upon him, and puts all his graces to the severest test. A pious wife, child, or servant is often severely tried in the furnace, by being brought into immediate contact with an ungodly husband, parent, or master. The natural enmity of the heart, aided by natural authority, receives additional strength; and fails not to vent its utmost malice against the unoffending lambs of Christ's flock. Like the savage wolf of the forest, such characters seem to take delight in devouring the weak and defenceless; and satiating themselves with the miseries of others. Many hearts are made to bleed by the unkindness of these adversaries to the truth, whose only charge against the objects of their cruelty is; that they dare not comply with their sinful commands in direct violation of the law of God. But Jesus is the good Shepherd. He watches over his flock with tender care in the dark and cloudy day. In the midst of all their outward troubles, he gives them inward peace. Whilst trusting in his unchanging love, they experience a joy, of which the utmost rage of persecution cannot deprive them. If such be the blessedness of the lambs of thy flock, O! thou gracious Saviour, give me a holy courage in thy cause, a holy confidence in thy mercy, a holy consolation from thy exceeding great and precious promises. Let me never dread the sneer, nor the frowns of the ungodly. Preserve me from sinful compliances with the customs, and from sinful conformity to the spirit, of the world. Make me valiant for the truth; ever daring to be singular in the cultivation of Christian tempers, and scrupulous in the choice of Christian companions, whom thou hast called the salt of the earth, and the light of the world; and to whom it is thy good pleasure to give the kingdom. The believer's trials sometimes spring from THE IMMEDIATE HAND OF GOD. The wife is deprived by death of her earthly support, a tender husband. The husband, of an affectionate wife. The parent sees the hope of his declining age sink into the grave. The child is left an orphan in a wicked and ensnaring world. The tenderest ties are snapped asunder by the unrelenting hand of death. Diseases of various kinds are commissioned to invade our frame. One faculty after another is taken away, or greatly impaired. Earthly comforts droop and die. Riches fly away. Poverty advances, and nothing but clouds and storms appear in sight. In such a situation the poor trembling believer is sorely assaulted by the tempter to doubt of his interest in Christ, of the love of God to his soul, of the truth of the promises, of the power of his Redeemer, of his willingness to save. In short, he is tempted to unbelief and hard thoughts of God. At such bereaving seasons, injudicious friends are apt to suspect his character, and like those of Job to charge him with hypocrisy. The ungodly rejoice over him, saying: "there, there, so would we have it. You see what is the end of his prayers, and religion. If he be a child of God, let him deliver him, if he will have him." But the triumphing of the wicked is short. The very storm which purifies the humble believer, often strikes the scorner dead. Death, like a tiger, darts upon him in a moment, when he is least aware of his approach. He, who being often reproved, har FF deneth his neck, shall suddenly be cut off, and that without remedy; whilst the child of God calmly waits the hour of his dismission, and even longs to be dissolved, that he may be with Christ. O! the depth of the goodness and severity of God! By these trials, the Lord brings the faith and love of his people into lively exercise, and thus demonstrates the efficacy of true religion. The graces of the Spirit generally thrive most in a rugged soil, and in tempestuous seasons. Like the Israelites in Egypt, they increase in the midst of opposition, persecution, and suffering; for as gold shines brightest in the furnace, so the Lord's people glorify him most in the fires. (Is. xxiv. 15.)` The believer's trials arise also from HIS INWARD CORRUPTIONS. This is more painful to him than all the rest, because the sufferings he endures from indwelling sin are the bitter fruits of that evil nature, which is so offensive to God his Saviour. He can bear with calm composure the taunts of men; he can patiently submit to be accounted a fool for Christ's sake; yea he can suffer joyfully the spoiling of his goods, and even the loss of life itself: but he cannot endure the inward workings of corruption. He cannot submit to the power of indwelling sin. He cannot tamely suffer his mind to be assaulted by his spiritual enemies. He cannot bear the thought of losing that joy and peace through believing, which is the very foretaste of heavenly felicity. O! the anguish of his mind, when corruption rages. How fervently does he pray for deliverance. How precious is the blood of Jesus at such seasons. He flies to the strong for strength. He takes refuge in the wounds of Jesus, and is safe. This trial, like every other, is over-ruled for good. A holy watchfulness, an increased dread of sin, a jealous godly fear, a spirit of prayer, a more simple dependence on Christ, a more hearty loathing of self, a more ardent breathing after holiness and heaven are excited in the soul. Thus, through grace, Satan is defeated, and the tempted believer comes out of the furnace, as gold tried in the fire, leaving nothing but the dross behind. Happy are the people who have God for their Lord; yea, happy art thou, O! Israel: who is like unto thee, O! people, saved by the Lord, who is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy excellency and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. O! 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Here we meet with heavy crosses, Then, my soul, why so distressed? Gird thy loins, let hope support thee; |