of Redemption. In this act of worship and adoration, the whole company of the angels are described as joining: while the text more especially sets before us three particulars relating to the " Saints in light," the consideration of which may be highly profitable

to us.

I. The State out of which they had come. II. The Blessedness to which they were now advanced.

III. The Process through which this change in their condition had been wrought.

My Brethren, may the blessedness described be ours! And to this end let us carefully listen to the particulars here offered to our notice.

I. The State out of which these blessed Saints had come. "These are they which came out of much tribulation." Tribulation comprehends troubles, trials, and difficulties: and if, as some have supposed, the persons here seen by the Apostle, were intended chiefly to represent the primitive martyrs, and those who in the early times of Christianity took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and even laid down their lives for Christ's sake, then indeed it might be most truly said that they had "come out of much tribulation." But the text need not to be so restricted. It may be extended to the people of God in all ages. They all in some sense

have "come out of great tribulation;" and to them the expression may be no less truly applied than to the martyrs themselves. All men, indeed, in this world, may be said to be in a state of tribulation: for they are continually exposed to troubles, trials, and difficulties; which none entirely escape. But with real Christians this is more especially the case. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous;" and it is expressly declared, that "through much tribulation they must enter into the kingdom of Heaven." What indeed has our Saviour himself told his disciples? "In the world ye shall have tribulation." And what has been the general lot of his people in this life but affliction and trial? There are many peculiar reasons and causes why this should be the case. The Lord's people are the especial objects of his love and favour; and "whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth." His rebukes and corrections are proofs and consequences of his tender regard, and most affectionate solicitude for their welfare. If they were not so loved of Him, they would not be so chastened by Him. Of the ungodly, He says, "Let them alone. They are joined unto idols. Why need they be stricken any more?" But of His people He says, "I will humble them, and prove them, and suffer them to hunger, that I may do them good in the latter end."

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Tribulation is the instrument which the Lord often employs for first awakening his people, and for bringing them to Himself. He finds them, like the Prodigal," in a far country," at a distance from Him their heavenly Father, and not even thinking of returning back to Him, to whom their duty and their interest call them. In this state He finds them. And how does He rouse them from their deadly stupor? He brings them under the rod of affliction. Perhaps He visits them with pain and sickness. Perhaps He deprives them of some beloved earthly object. Perhaps He disappoints their worldly hopes, and plunges them into poverty and distress. By some such means as these He first awakens them from their spiritual slumber, and by sanctifying the visitation makes it the beginning of a new life to their soul.

Tribulation also is frequently employed by the Lord as an instrument for reclaiming his backsliding people, and for bringing them again to their duty. They have been careless and negligent. They have suffered themelves to be surprised or seduced into sin. They have become lukewarm in His service, or have wandered from His ways. And what has been the consequence? He " has visited their iniquity with rods and their sin with Scourges." He has "brought them into the

wilderness, and there has He pleaded with them face to face." "He hath hedged up their way with thorns, and made a wall that they should not find their paths;" until by these His fatherly corrections, He has humbled and convinced them, and caused them to return to His ways.

By Tribulation also the Lord advances the spiritual improvement of his faithful people. Afflictions, when sanctified, have a powerful tendency to promote their growth in grace. We see from the History of Job, that in all his afflictions one end which the Lord had in view was the spiritual good of his servant. When he came out of his tribulation, he came out of it, like gold out of the furnace, refined and purified, and made fitter for his master's use. But for this very reason it was previously necessary that he should first go into tribulation.

The enemies to which real Christians are exposed, are a further occasion of tribulation to them. They have enemies peculiar to themselves, who are ever opposing them and attempting to destroy their peace.

The Devil, that bitter adversary of the people of God, is continually on the watch to plunge them into sorrow and trouble. His power indeed is limited, and he cannot do them all the evil which he would. But we may be assured that he omits no oppor

tunity in his power of disturbing and distressing them; of pouring into their minds horrid and gloomy thoughts, and of aggra vating all their fears, sorrows, and trials.

The world too gives them no small uneasiness. It is always crossing and resisting them. How much anguish of mind do they suffer in a variety of ways from worldly and ungodly men! How often are their good deeds vilified; their pure motives misrepresented; their characters defamed; their plans defeated! How often have they occasion to weep over the unkindness, the ingratitude, or the wickedness of those from whom they might have looked for a different conduct! Surely from the world they have tribulation.

But their worst and greatest enemy is in themselves. In their own heart they find a daily source of trial and difficulty. Their nature is renewed only in part. And the remainder of sin in their members gives them unceasing trouble. They find that they cannot do the things which they would. They would be altogether spiritually-minded: but they still find themselves to be carnal. Thus they groan being burdened. Too often are they ready to exclaim, "O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest!" "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death ?"