II. I am to shew HOW CONSOLATIONS BY CHRIST ARE MADE TO ABOUND, EVEN IN TRIBULATION.

1. A Christian's consolations are made to abound under his afflictions, as he is instructed

IN RESPECT TO THE END OF HIS SUFFERINGS.

A man may bear much, when he can see the end. The Psalmist tells us, in the LXXIIId Psalm, that he was carried away by the prosperity of the wicked. My feet, he says, were almost gone: my steps had well-nigh slipped. But it pleased God to make his consolations abound, by shewing him the end. When I thought to know this, he says→→→ when I thought to know this as a philosopher, and to reconcile it in my own wisdom-it was too hard for me: I could not understand it, until I went into the sanctuary of God: then understood I the end. But, he adds, I am continually with thee, though chastened and tried: thou hast holden me by my right-hand, as the parent does his child; and thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory-As for me, it is a good thing for me to draw near to God.

What may not be endured, when a man has evidence of the power and strength on which he leans? St. Paul cried earnestly under his affliction-the thorn that pierced him-the messenger of Satan. But our Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: I will care for thee: commit the matter to me: you want support, and you shall

receive it." Most gladly, therefore, says the Apostle, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I find, that, as my tribulations abound, my consolations abound also.

2. A Christian's consolations are made to abound by Christ, as, in treading this dreary and thorny path, HE HAS EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO GLORY-not only that this is the way which leads to the end, but that he is in the way.

In the fourth chapter of this epistle, the Apostle says, For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Though the outward man will soon sink and perish, yet God renews the inward man: for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:-The consolation is infinitely greater than the momentary afflictionWhile we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents, was the answer given to that enquiry, Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon.-Go thy way forth-set up way, marks:-notice what you meet with:-ask if that is not the way in which all walked who are gone

to heaven: ask for the way of them, that came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

And are you in this way? Then you may say, every step of it, Why art, thou cast down, O my soul? The sufferings of Christ will abound, more or less, all the way thou goest; but the consolation will abound also.

3. A Christian's consolations are made to abound in his tribulations, as HE HAS AN ASSURANCE OF PECULIAR SUPPORT IN TRYING SEASONS.

Of peculiar support, I say: for God will give strength for the day, and faith for the trial. Do you think of him as a hard master?-then you know him not. Will any of you send your servant on an arduous errand, and not consider his difficulties? Will you not grant support and countenance to your servant in his undertaking, in proportion to its difficulties? Oh, how do we dishonour God, in thinking he is more regardless of us, than we are of one another!" No! says our Lord, "I am the vine: ye are the branches: ye shall derive life and vigour from me; and, though the branch may be placed under a burning sun, which may seem to dry up all its nourishment, yet I am the vine: it cannot touch the vine: fear not: I know your troubles."

Therefore St. Paul says, Though no man stood by me, yet the Lord was with me; and, as my afflictions abounded, my consolations also abounded.

And this is the powerful argument of the text. "We are obliged," as if the Apostle had said, "to stand by this fact; that, whenever the suffer+ ings of Christ abound, the consolations superabound." Herein God proves his sufficiency, and Christ his faithfulness. He saw the martyr Stephen dragged before an assembly of enraged men, who gnashed upon him with their teeth: and treated his arguments, and the truths which he spake, as if they were so many falsehoods and fables. He saw him dragged out to be dashed to pieces by their stones. But, "Behold," says Stephen, looking up, "I see the heavens opened: I see Jesus, for whom I am suffering: that suffices! He is now looking at me, and saying, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou shalt have my light and consolation." Looking up, therefore, to his best and only friend, Lord Jesus, said he, receive my spirit: lay not this sin to their

charge, for they know not what they do! How eminently did consolation here abound beyond affliction!

I shall speak a word to OBJECTORS.

Such may be ready to say, "If Christianity has such trials, I am ready to forego all and draw back. I thought all would be quietness and ease."

My Dear Hearers, it is to more than quietness and ease to which we invite you. We offer you consolation-comfort and joy through eternity. If

you shrink back, because Christianity will cost you something, it is most evident to every Christian that you have never counted the cost; nor what it will cost-Not to be a Christian.

You hear, perhaps, a rude and ignorant beggar, reasoning on the education of a king's son. Says the beggar, in his ignorance, "I choose to have my own will and my own way. I have no notion of the confinement of a school. I would rather lie upon my dunghill." What would you say?— You would say, "Wretched creature! he seems to have no sense of the miserable consequences of the ignorance and brutality of his present situation, and therefore scorns that on which the king sets so much value, and would pay for at a high rate to procure it for his son."

It is thus that beggarly minds speak of the troubles of the Christian, But, because he is a king's son, he shall have an education suited to his character and prospects.