disturbance. Still the cloud, even though it were a thick and heavy cloud, was but for a season: there was a bright and glorious sun beyond. The general tenor of their feelings was that of persons conscious of their favoured lot, though for a time they might be in heaviness through manifold temptations. For, they were assured that if there was temptation, there was reason for the temptation. It was needful for them.

7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Affliction therefore, in whatever shape it came, whether persecution, or poverty, or loss of friends and possessions, had an object and a design. If they were in heaviness, there was need that they should be in heaviness; as there is need that gold should be exposed to the refiner's fire. St. James begins his epistle with the same argument: as the condition of Christians in that age required. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations." They that suffer, need support and consolation; and the Christians of that day could only "enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation." It often happens now that a Christian's trial is rather that of prosperity than of adversity but very different was the case with those to whom James and Peter wrote: and they must be encouraged by the promise given " to him that overcometh," by knowing that the man "who endureth unto the end shall receive the crown of life." As

gold, which has been tried and purified with fire, is approved, and chosen by the workman for the highest purposes: so the faith which has come out uninjured from temptation will be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Then, having named that name, he kindles as a man is wont to do at the mention of his dearest friend, or most valued benefactor. He breaks forth into the expression of those feelings which he knew the brethren entertained towards their Lord and Saviour.

8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.

Two affections towards the Saviour are here spoken of the loving him, and the rejoicing in him.

There must be a reason for these feelings. There must be a reason for this love. We cannot love God or man without a moving cause. And the cause why the Christian loves the Lord Jesus Christ is, that he is the author of all his hopes. He looks to himself, and sees that he has offended against God. And what has he to offer, that God may appeased? Wherewith shall he come before the Lord ?" Like the debtor in the parable, he has nothing at all to pay, when Christ steps in and pays the whole debt: gives his life a ransom for many." Can he fail to love him to whom he owes a benefit like this?

66

66

be

But again, he looks towards himself, and finds corruption within. He "finds a law, that when he would do good, evil is present with him." " Who shall deliver him?" Once more he turns to the same Redeemer, from whose grace he may receive both the inclination and the power to obey: so that he may be enabled" to do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him."

Can he fail to love that gracious Being, who has first prepared an eternal inheritance for him, and is now preparing him to enjoy it, and take possession?

This, however, is a feeling which can be only understood by those who have raised their thoughts beyond this present world, and set out in earnest to seek the kingdom of God. They who have never seriously considered the death which is before them, or the judgment which is to follow, can see no reason why the Saviour should be desired or loved. Having never felt the burthen of that debt which lies upon them, they feel no gratitude towards him. who pays it. Having no inclination to be purified from a sinful nature, the author of a new nature has no value in their eyes. As the prophet said, "There is no beauty that they should desire him."

It is not till one begins in earnest to provide for his everlasting salvation, that he can enter into the expression of the apostle concerning Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, ye love. Till then, he hears his name as the name of a Master who demands his service, or a Ruler who commands him to change his way of life, and leave the things to which he is too much attached, the only things of which

he has learnt the value. But when he once determines within himself, that this life is nothing to him, if only he can " attain that world, and the resurrection from the dead," then he will love the gracious Lord, who has opened the gates of heaven to him ; who has reconciled him to God, and given him an inheritance among the saints in light.

2. The other account given of Christians is, that they rejoice in Christ Jesus: rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory: joy which realises the prophet's words, (Isa. lii. 7,) "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!" 1

Our Lord, in one of his parables, represents a debtor, who, owing much and having nothing at all to pay, was" to be sold with his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made." But the creditor had compassion on him, and forgave him all that he owed. That man would rejoice in his benefactor. And so a criminal respited from punishment through the intercession of some powerful friend, rejoices in his preserver.

66

In the same manner the Christian feels, that if he is "not appointed unto wrath," it is through the one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus" and that if his transgressions are blotted out, it is because the death of Christ has made satisfaction for them all; full, complete satisfaction. This he believes, and believing, rejoices with joy unspeakable. It exactly meets his wants, and calms his fears. "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty." And what are we his creatures?

1 Matt. xviii. 25.

Weak, erring, sinful. “We have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." O how short of that glory have we come! "Who can understand his errors?" Who can enumerate the times, in which by thought, word, and deed, he has offended the divine Majesty! Then how delightful the language of the Gospel," Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" Behold an "advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins," who is able to "present us pure and blameless before the throne of God." Able and willing. Able, because he can plead the full, perfect, and sufficient atonement which he has made; and willing, because "having himself suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." In Him, therefore, we have "all things which pertain to life and godliness" we have "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption;" and having this, we rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

St. Peter finishes his sentence, by calling that to mind which is the conclusion of the whole.

9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The desire of this first led them to the Redeemer. The promise of this first made them delight in him, made his word glad tidings to them. The hope of this made them joyfully renounce all earthly things unsuited to it made them bear cheerfully the trial of their faith, the temptations which brought them into heaviness. And this which they desired, which