that was hated and despised; they had ranked themselves under the banner of a crucified Jesus, whose gospel was "a stumbling-block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Greeks." They were engaged in an opposition to the kingdom of Satan, who moved both hell and earth against them. The apostle represents their condition, in what he declares concerning himself. (Acts xx. 23.) These seem more immediately intended in the text, their sufferings for Christ and his cause. So great were these, such sacrifices did they make, and such evils did they endure, that he farther said, 1 Cor. xv. 19. But they had a future prospect: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time," &c.

Did this reasoning relate to the persecutions for Christ, the cruel mockings, scourgings, &c.? It will likewise apply to all the bodily sufferings which the believer may endure in the present world. Dire are the diseases to which these frail bodies are liable, and great are the sufferings that many of God's people endure by their visitation.

1. These sufferings befall the people of God because they are sinners. Though they are sanctified, it is only in part; much corruption still remains: though they are the children of God, much untowardness and disobedience are discovered by them; they have their spots, and their remaining imperfections and corruptions are sometimes the causes of all their sufferings.

2. These sufferings give occasion for the exercise of grace. Had it not been for the sufferings of Job, the church of God would have been destitute of an excellent example of patience under afflictions. Still they are instrumental of good. 1 Pet i. 6, 7.

3. These sufferings show the power and compassion of God, as extended to his people. To what is their preservation in the furnace owing? Not to any strength inherent in themselves, but to the presence of God with them, the communications of his grace, and the exertion of his power.

4. These sufferings are ordered by God, to wean his people from earth and fit them for heaven. There are close attachments to earthly connexions to the greatest proficients in grace here; and strong are the ties that

bind their affections to them. But great sufferings are sometimes the knife in God's hand that cuts the knot. These constrain affectionate relatives to resign the object of their desires: these make the soul itself willing, yea, desirous, to be dismissed.

They also endear the heavenly rest. Delightful indeed will be the soul's entrance into the mansions of bliss; but peculiarly so when signal trials and sufferings have immediately preceded it. This is particularly intimated in that description of glorified saints. Rev. vii. 14.

The believer's sufferings are confined to a militant state. They are the sufferings of this present time. They hasten to a period, and shall shortly be ended for ever. Let us then endeavour to draw aside the veil and contemplate the honour and happiness that await the subjects of grace in the world that is to come.

II. Consider the future designs and purposes of God, respecting his own people.

In the present state they are liable to many sufferings, but another portion awaits them: "Glory shall be revealed in them."

Here words will fail, and our utmost conceptions be straitened. "Eye hath not seen," &c. We may contemplate, we may inquire; but we must be directed by the written word of God, with which we are favoured. There are two ideas suggested in this part of the text.

1. Glory is in reserve for the saints. Under this term the whole happiness and attainments of heaven may be included. Glory is the perfection of grace. Consider this glory as it respects the soul. It contains perfect knowledge, consummate holiness, and complete satisfaction. "For now we see through a glass darkly, &c. I shall be satisfied, when I awake in thy likeness." Consider this glory as it respects the body. This shall be made holy, spiritual, incorruptible, fit to be the receptacle of a glorified spirit, and qualified for appearing in the immediate presence of God. The soul shall be perfectly sanctified by the holy Spirit of God; and the body shall be conformed to the pattern of the glorified body of Christ. For what purpose will this change be wrought? That the soul may see its God and Redeemer, hold immediate communion with him, eternally rejoice and triumph in his love,

and enjoy a plenary satisfaction in contemplating his glo ries, and celebrating his works. There the capacities of the soul will be amply enlarged; there the powers of the body will also be strengthened, that we may know God, search into his excellences, dive into his purposes, and exult in his praise. This is a glory reserved for the saints. It was designed them in the purpose of God, it was procured for them by the mediation, death, and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ; and the Spirit maketh them meet for the possession of it. This glory is now the object of the believer's faith and hope. But,

2. It shall assuredly be revealed in them. Of this the text speaks with confidence. It is a settled truth. It shall be fulfilled. Has the decree passed? It shall surely bring forth. In the present world there is a dawning of this glory in believers. Such is their experience, and the evidence they give in the Spirit's renewing work on their souls, their submission to God and Christ, their satisfaction in him as their God, their Father, and portion, together with the spiritual consolations and joy, that sometimes cheer them in this howling wilderness. These are evidences of their being designed for glory: these joys are the earnests and foretastes of it. Nevertheless amidst our brightest attainments, and our most exalted pleasures, we must say, with the apostle, "It doth not yet appear what we shall be," &c.

The season for this revelation of glory is at death and at the resurrection. No sooner is the soul dislodged from the body, than it enters into glory: "Absent from the body, it is present with the Lord." It then joins the kindred spirits in the world of glory, partakes of their happiness, and unites with them in their praises. And although the body moulders to dust, and sees corruption, yet the day of its glorification hastens on. By the power of Christ it shall be delivered from this gloomy state, raised up a glorious body, and never be liable to death, or changed more. "Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." The revelation of this glory, how truly desirable is it! and what a precious object of hope is it to the real people of God! especially considering, that it is a revelation which shall be made in them. Including,

1. Their own personal consciousness of this glory. They shall be the subjects of it, and feel the peculiar joy and pleasure resulting from its discovery. Unspeakable indeed will be the joys and happiness of the soul, when it feels itself in the immediate presence of God, divested of all its imperfections, and satiated with the pleasures which are at God's right hand, for evermore. The expression includes,

2. A manifestation of this glory to others. The glory on them will not be concealed. A public manifestation of it is intended; and this is closely connected with the honour and glory of the Redeemer. "He shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired in all them that believe." Who shall be witnesses of this glory? No doubt the holy angels of God, who are now employed as ministering spirits, to attend the saints on their way to heaven. Fellow-saints shall witness it. They are now connected, many of them, in the bonds of nature, as well as of grace; and their mutual knowledge and communing in glory will be no small part of their future happiness.

III. The contrast between present sufferings and future glory, as warranting the conclusion laid down in the text.

The language intimates a persuasion of mind, founded on a diligent survey, and an exact comparison. "For I reckon," or, as the word signifies, "I account, that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." He had studied the matter, he had balanced the account, he had tried it by a certain and unerring standard; and this was his settled judgment. Various considerations might be hinted in support of this conclusion.

1. Their nature warrants it. There is now indeed a feeling of our sufferings; whereas this glory is only discovered by faith. On this account, we do not derive that influence from it which otherwise we might. Nevertheless, the sufferings here endured are partial, they particularly affect the body; and they are alleviated by those comforts which the Spirit of God affords, for the support and encouragement of his people. Future glory will influence the whole person, and have no alloy. It contains perfect happiness, both of soul and body. Its possession will set us in the immediate presence of God, settle us in the blissVOL. II.

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ful enjoyment of him, and be our full salvation. Can any thing be compared with this? Or are any sufferings worthy of a thought that lead to, or have any influence to prepare us for glory? The conclusion is evident,

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2. From the duration of this glory, contrasted with the season of our sufferings. This is particularly mentioned, (2 Cor. iv. 17,) "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Eternity is the duration of this glory. This puts an inconceivable glory upon it. It shall never be interrupted, it shall never fade. The greatest pleasures and enjoyments here are transitory and fleeting: but the heavenly inheritance is, incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away." This glory will run parallel with the soul's existence-it will continue for ever. When ten thousand ages are rolled away, the crown is as fresh as if it had never been worn; the spring as full as if it had never been tasted; the treasure as ample as if a drachm had never been touched. Eternity! the glory of heaven, and the triumph of all the saints there! One heavenly vision and enjoyment will make abundant amends for all present sufferings; how exceeding will be the saints' felicity to all eternity.

THE CHARACTER AND PRIVILEGE OF A TRUE

CHRISTIAN.

For our rejoicing, &c.—2 Cor. i. 12.

THE apostle, in these words, acquaints the Corinthians what was his comfort, when under sentence of death, verse 9; and in the repeated dangers he had escaped and hoped to be delivered from, while his life was necessary to the church; not that he expected, or desired, always to be delivered, ver. 10, for he longed; and what encouraged him under foreseen danger, and gave him hope of deliverance, afforded him triumph over death, "I have fought