October 4

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 Put let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a toifet, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time it come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

"Religion is no ignominious, disgraceful thing. And yet Satan labors to cast all the odium and reproach upon it that he can, that it is devout frenzy, folly ingrain. As for this sect, we know that it is everywhere spoken against. But wise men measure things by the end, what is the end of a religious life? It ends in a kingdom. Would a prince regard the fightings of a few frantics when he is going to be crowned? You who are beginners, bind their reproaches as a crown about your head, despise their censures as much as their praise; a kingdom is a-coming."—Watson.

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"The fire of trial belongs to Christianity, it is the rule, not the exception" Richter.

"Partners in the fight, partners in the coronation. As surely as thou art suffering for Christ's sake, so surely thou wilt be eternally clothed with joy and glory."—Starke.

"I have observed that towns which have been casually burnt, have been built again more beautiful than before. Mud walls, afterwards made of stones; and roofs, formerly but thatched after advanced to be tied. The Apostle tells me that I must not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to happen unto me. May I likewise prove improved by it. Let my renewed soul, which grows out of the ashes of the old man, be a more firm fabric and strong structure, so shall affliction be my advantage."— Fuller.

Closet Promise.—I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.— Isa. xlv. 5.

Let it fill you with cheerfulness and exalted feeling, however deep in obsecurity your lot may be, to know that God is leading you on, girding you for a work, preparing you to a good that is worthy of His divine magnificence.—Horace Bushnell.