take the book, and to open the seals thereof," that is, to unfold, by accomplishment, the decrees of the Eternal, "to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us to our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth." Thus have I completed my illustrations of the five great topics suggested in this very fruitful passage of scripture. The illustrious sufferer, Jesus Christ the just One, His sufferings, and the nature, the design, and the results of these sufferings.

VI. THE TENDENCY OF THESE TRUTHS RESPECTING THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE CHRISTIANS SUFFERING FOR HIS CAUSE.

It only remains that I in a very few words endeavour to show how these topics, as treated by the Apostle, are fitted to serve the purpose for which they are brought forward here; that is, to reconcile Christians to sufferings in the cause of Christ, and to give them support and direction under such sufferings.

The subject is a wide and interesting one, but I must confine myself to a hurried sketch of leading thoughts, which you will do well to follow out in your private meditations. My object as a Christian teacher now and at all times should be, not to save my hearers the trouble of thinking, but if possible to compel them to think, and to furnish them with some helps for thinking rightly and usefully.

When involved in suffering, support and direction are obtained by turning the mind to the contemplation of the great and good who have been placed in similar circumstances. It is on this principle that the Apostle puts those to whom he wrote in mind, that "the same afflictions to which they were exposed had been accomplished in their brethren who

had been in the world;" and that his beloved brother Paul, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, turns the attention of those to whom he wrote to "the great cloud of witnesses," to the power of faith in the hour of trial with which they were surrounded. There is no example, however, so fraught with instruction and comfort as that of "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ;" and the points in which that example is instructive and consolatory, are finely brought out in the passage before us.1

"Even Christ, the just One, suffered." If Christ suffered, should Christians think it unreasonable that they should be called to suffer? "Is it not enough that the disciple be as his teacher, the servant as his Lord?"2

And they need not count it strange, though they be harmless and blameless, that they yet suffer. "The just One suffered❞—suffered not only though he was just, but because he was just. If they are like Him, they may expect to be treated as he was treated, to be in the world as he was in the world. If it were otherwise, they would have reason to doubt their discipleship. If the world loved them, it would be strong presumption at least that they were the world's own. The hatred of the world and its consequences are among the proofs that Christ has "chosen us out of the world." 3

To suffer for Christ, to suffer like Christ, is an honourable thing. It is to have fellowship with Christ, the Lord of glory, in that in which his glory was very remarkably displayed.

Christ, the just One, suffered for sins, for sinners, for our sins, for us sinners. If he suffered to obtain our salvation, should we grudge to suffer to uphold and extend his glory and cause?

If we are in him, his sufferings are ours as to their effects; they have expiated our guilt, so that all our sufferings are not penal, but disciplinary; are fatherly chastisements, not

1 Pet. v. 9. Heb. xii. 1, 2.

2 Matt. x. 24, 25.

3 John xv. 18, 19.

wrathful inflictions. Christ has made all sufferings safe and pleasant to his disciples by this one thing, that he suffered once for sins. He has stripped the cross of its worst terrors; he has taken the curse out of it; and made it light to carry, and easy to endure. He has taken the poison out of the cup of affliction; and we can take the cup, however bitter, and bless the name of the Lord. He enables us to say, 'Since He has expiated my sin; since He has secured my salvation, deal with me as thou wilt; afflict me how, when, as heavily as it shall please thee; all is well.'

As to sufferings for Christ, they are a privilege and honour. "It is given us on Christ's behalf to suffer for his sake."! He suffered "that he might bring us to God." Surely that is a blessing so great, as that, in token of gratitude for it, we should cheerfully do whatever he commands, cheerfully submit to whatever he appoints.

And these our sufferings are, under the influence of his Spirit, one of the means, one of the most powerful of the means, which he is employing, that in our case the design of his death may be realized; that we may be brought to God, made to know him, to enjoy the sweets of his favour and fellowship, "made partakers of his holiness."

His sufferings were severe sufferings-sufferings even to death. Let us not, then, think even fiery trials strange. What are the severest of our sufferings when compared with his? Let us not wonder, if we be conformed to our Lord, in continuing to suffer in some form or other while we continue to live.

If we are his, death as in his case will put an end to all our sufferings. When he became dead bodily, he was quickened spiritually; and is it not so with his people? Is it not, "when they are weak, that they are strong?" Out of weakness, do they not often wax strong? and, "when the outward man perisheth, is not the inward man strengthened day by day?"

As to individual Christian experience, personal suffering is very generally connected with the acquisition of spiritual strength. And in reference to power to do good, to promote the cause of Christ, have not the sufferings of Christians been fully as efficient as their exertions? "The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church;" and Christianity, as well as Christ, may say to her enemies, "Rejoice not against me; when I fall, I shall arise."1

Christ's sufferings ended in his resurrection, his ascension, and his celestial dignity, power, and glory. And so will ours if we be his, and follow in the steps of the example he has left us in suffering for us. "If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him." It is the purpose of the Father to conform all his children to the image of "the First-Born among many brethren;" first as suffering, then as glorified. "If we suffer with him, it is that we also may be glorified with him." "To him that overcometh he will give to sit with him on his throne, even as he overcame, and is sat down on his Father's throne."

And are these sufferings of the present time, however severe and protracted, worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us when we shall enter into his joy, see and share his glory, have even these vile bodies fashioned like unto his glorious body? Are they not light, however heavy? Are they not but for a moment, however long continued, when looked at in contrast with the "exceeding great and eternal weight of glory;" being "with Christ," being "like Christ," in holiness, in felicity, and in glory, for ever and ever? Surely, surely it is better, since such is the will of God, that we should suffer for Christ, like Christ, than that we should not suffer. Paradoxical as this may appear to a worldly mind, strangely as they may sound to a worldly ear, the Apostle's judgment was wise, and his exhortation reasonable: "We count them happy who endure, suffering wrongfully." "Count it all joy when ye are brought into divers trials. Yes, Blessed

12 Cor. iv. 16. 22 Tim. ii. 12.

Micah vii. 8.

Rom. viii. 17, 29. Rev. iii. 21. Rom. viii. 18. 2 Cor. iv. 17.

is the man that endureth such trials."

Here, as in every

thing else, "Good is the will of the Lord Christ." So rich in instruction and comfort is the example of Christ to the suffering Christian.

"The example and company of the saints in suffering is very considerable, both for guidance and consolation; but that of Christ is more than any other, yea, than all the rest put together. Therefore, the Apostle having, in the 11th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, represented the former at large, ends on this as the top of them all Looking to Jesus.' There is a race set before us it is to be a race with patience, or rather perseverance, and without fainting. Now he tells us of a cloud of witnesses, a cloud made up of the instances of believers who have suffered before us; and the heat of the day wherein we run is somewhat cooled even by that cloud compassing us; but the main strength of their comfort here lies in beholding of Christ, eyeing of his sufferings, and their issue. The considering and contemplating of Him will be the strongest cordial, will keep you from wearying and fainting by the way."

It is only Christians, in the true sense of that word, that can derive from the sufferings of Christ the advantages which we have now been illustrating. Men, while they continue in their sins, can have no part, no lot in this matter. They must suffer, for they are men; and "man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward;" "Man born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble;" but under their afflictions they have none of the supports and consolations which the children of God, the disciples of Christ derive, from the consideration, that "even Christ also suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring them to God." Their afflictions are indeed intended to rouse them to serious thought, to tell them they are sinners, to show them what an evil and a bitter thing sin is, and to make