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looked in them. But, did we not choose to deceive ourselves, a very little sober reflection would convince us, that the sum of human misery is much more equally divided than we are willing to allow, and that, at least, we are not so eminent in suffering, as to exempt us from the duty of patience and resignation any more than the rest of our brethren. Perhaps if we had more gratitude to God, and more love and sympathy for our fellow-sufferers, we should be apt to think less of our own trials, and even to lose sight of them almost altogether, in the humble recollection of the mercies of our heavenly Father.

With regard to the frailty of nature, surely we cannot forget that this is but the common inheritance of fallen man. Can we find that man, who is not subject to passions and infirmities, different perhaps, but no less dangerous than our own; who is free from the evil and rebellious tendencies of "the carnal mind1;" who has never felt the weakness of nature, the force of pas

1 Rom. viii. 7.

sion and evil habit, and the difficulty of withstanding the influence of the world.

2. The history of the Lord's servants in all ages furnishes abundant proof that they have ever been a tried and afflicted people. The holiest of men, they who in old time by faith "obtained a good report'," were men of like passions with ourselves. They had the same corrupt nature, the same ensnaring world, the same artful enemy of souls, to oppose their progress, and beguile them from the ways of God. They were exposed to the same misfortunes, disappointments and perplexities. Their properties, their health, their reputation, and their domestic peace were involved in the same uncertainty and instability as ours. Even in their day, "he," to use the words of St. Paul, "that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit ";" and all the simplicity of their lives, their blameless innocence, and their disinterested and unwearied benevolence, could not protect them from the misrepresentation and en

1 Heb. xi. 2,

2 Gal. iv. 29.

mity, however concealed, which the children of God have ever had to endure from the men of this world, and ever shall.

Can we then be surprised by temptations not merely common to the human race, but at the least not more severe than the most faithful of God's people have been ever tried with? "knowing," as St. Peter saith, "that the same afflictions are accomplished in" our "brethren that are in the world 1?"

3. But when we rise from the contemplation of saints and martyrs, to that Holy One whom they loved, and for whose sake they counted not their lives dear unto them; when, from the unnumbered crowd of the poor and the afflicted, we fix our eyes on the chief mourner of mankind, and view his sacred countenance "so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men," shall it surprise us, that we, who are unworthy to bear His name, should suffer our measure of the temptation which He did not refuse to bear? When He took our

1 1 Pet. v. 9.

2 Is. lii. 14.

nature upon Him, He "carried our sorrows'," and was made acquainted with our infirmities and griefs; He hid not His face from shame'; He was familiar with poverty and pain and weakness; He endured the ingratitude of those He loved, and the "contradiction of sinners against himself3." Truly "the servant is not greater than his Lord *." Surely this is sufficient to prepare us for the severest trials of our faith and patience. The world that hates us, hated Him also. The enemy who lays wait for our souls, and, in a thousand forms, endeavours to beguile or terrify us, from abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, did not fear to assault the Lord Himself with all his temptations, and vex His Holy Spirit with his harassing suggestions. It is the "great High Priest of our profession, Jesus, the Son of God, who was in all points tempted like as we are "." There is nothing therefore in the singularity of our temptations to surprise or dismay our minds.

1 Is. liii. 4.

2 Is. 1. 6.

3 Heb. xii. 3.

4 John xv. 20.

5 Heb. iii. 1. iv. 14, 15.

My brethren, there are two practical reflections connected with this part of our subject, which I would desire to have impressed on your recollection.

The first is, that our temptations are always much less severe than they might be. A few more circumstances of difficulty, the withdrawing of a few of the mercies with which the love and mercy of God have surrounded us, would place us in a situation very different from that in which we are at present. To instance but this one case, we find it perhaps difficult to resist the influence of the maxims and fashions of the world. But how much more difficult was this to those Christians, who, if they ventured silently to withdraw from the corruptions of society, not to say, if they witnessed a good profession, and boldly avowed their love to the Lord Jesus, had to calculate on doing so at the price of their fortunes, their liberties, and their lives?

The second observation I would make is this, that our temptations are always less severe than we deserve. We ought to remember, that, if the holiest of the servants of God,

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