be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels." Consider, lastly, the glorious reward which awaits those who confess Christ in the world." Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven *" And again: "If we suffer, we shall also reign. with him t." Endeavour to realize the distinction which will hereafter be conferred on many of those who have been, or are now, ridiculed and persecuted by their fellow men, as if they were some of the most abject of the human race. Think of those, in former days, who "had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned; they were sawn asunder; were tempted; were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." Where are they now? - They are "before the throne and the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Let us realize this, and we shall then rightly appreciate the taunts and jests of those who ridicule Religion.—Are any of you called to suffer in this way for your Lord and Master? Rejoice, and be exceedingly thankful: every instance of patient and humble suffering for the cause of Christ will add to your weight of heavenly glory. If others laugh at you for fidelity to your Lord, tell them, with humility, that He that sitteth in the heavens is laughing at them; that God has them in derision. When they shall be hiding their faces in confusion and astonishment, calling in vain on the rocks to cover them, you shall be owned by your Saviour, before an assembled world, as His peculiar people, those whom He has appointed unto honour. He will vindicate your motives, and expose the baseness and cowardice of those who maligned you. But bear in mind, Brethren, that the sufferings, which will thus terminate in glory, are only those which are really endured for Christ. If, by bad tempers, by pharisaical pride, by a selfish and unaccommodating demeanour, you bring rpon yourselves, and con sequently upon your profession, the just censure of others; then, however you may flatter yourselves that you are suffering for Religion's sake, you are in fact dishonouring Christ, more than they who make no profession of attachment to His cause can dishonour Him. Your sufferings are, in that case, nothing more than the just reward of unchristian conduct; and should stir you up to flee from the heavier punishment which awaits you, unless you truly repent you of your sin. On you, my beloved Brethren, who profess to know Christ, rests, in some sort, the honour of His cause among men. Study to walk worthy of the name you bear-to profess Christ by your works, still more than by your words. Make it manifest that your principles can sustain a course of conduct and conversation, in the various relations of life, which no other principles can sustain. Be ambitious of witnessing for your Saviour a good confession. Make it manifest, by the whole of your spirit and deportment, whose you would be, and whom you desire to serve. Be not weary of well-doing, though your motives be suspected, and your words and actions misrepresented. "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds *."-Look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God t." Look unto Him. Let your light shine for Him openly and unequivocally; so that others may be led to glorify God. Then shall you shine, hereafter, as stars in the firmament-in the kingdom of your Father. |