November 18

then it is that we adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and commend his religion to others.

Passively. "They also serve that wait;" and they also confess that endure. When his followers are willing to sustain the loss of all things rather than forsake him, and instead of complaining, rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for his name, they evince the strength and force of their attachment to him, and he is glorified in them. Persons may be exercised with many afflictions who are not called to endure persecution. It is peculiarly as sufferers that many are the Lord's witnesses: and how do they glorify him in the fires, when in patience they possess their souls, and can even rejoice in tribulation also! What a testimony do they bear to the power of his grace, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, when they show that he sustains them when every earthly support gives way; and refreshes and delights them when all creature-consolation is dried up or embittered! The passive graces are with more difficulty exercised than the active. The active fall in with several principles of our nature, especially our love of activity and notice: but to sit alone and keep silence; to suffer on week after week, and month after month, unobserved, unless by partial friendship; mourning indeed but not murmuring; every word, every feeling softly confessing, "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me: let thy loving kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant:"—when I have turned away from such a scene as this, I have said within myself, I have often heard of religion, but I have now seen it: and I have been ready to invite others to return with me, exclaiming,

"Behold the awful portrait and admire,

NOVEMBER 18.—"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."—Matthew 10:32.

LET us see what this promise insures in a way of PRIVILEGE. It is confession: "him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven." The word signifies more than mere attestation: it means acknowledgment with approbation and applause. This would seem incredible, did we not know that the reward is not founded in our worthiness, but is designed to display the exceeding riches of his grace. The Lord thinks better of their works than they ever do; they often blush and weep over their performances, but he will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Nothing is more pleasing than praise; and nothing is more stimulating. The desire of it is generally connected with some of the finest sensibilities of our nature. He who is dead to it betrays a mind destined to no distinction, and on which no great or good impression is likely to be made. But observe three things which enhance the privilege here spoken of.

The First is the applauder: "I will confess him." In all praise much depends upon the person from whom it is derived. A real

proficient therefore in any art studies to approve himself to such as are masters of it. To their judgment he appeals, and their approbation supports and gratifies him under the neglect or the censure of the rude and incompetent. The praise of some is worse than reproach. Our Lord forbade the devils to confess him. Paul was displeased with the spirit of divination in the damsel that cried, These are the servants of the most high God, which show unto men the way of salvation." Wise men lay little stress upon the caresses of the multitude, who are easily wrought upon, and are led by humour rather than conviction, and can seldom comprehend what they pronounce upon. And therefore a heathen philosopher, when shouted home to his door by the populace, turned round, and said, "What folly or harm have I done to deserve and obtain your commendations?" Some hearers are afraid to say a word of praise to a minister, lest they should make him proud and vain. But the danger is imaginary; he has no opinion of their judgment. Praise is debased, and becomes more than worthless by insincerity; it is then flattery, and "he that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." All the friendship of the world is only "lies in hypocrisy." Human applause can add little to our welfare and happiness. The influence of it is confined to time: what can it do for us when sickness spreads a gloom over our comforts, and mortality draws the curtain upon all that is valued on earth? Paul therefore says, "It is a light thing to be judged of man's judgment; he that judgeth me is the Lord." He knows all things; he reads the heart; he is truth itself; he is approved whom the Lord commendeth. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer!"

The Second is, In whose presence he will acknowledge us: "I will confess him before my Father which is in heaven." Could you choose before whom you would be owned and praised, it would doubtless be one you most highly esteemed, in whose regard you placed your happiness, and who was most able to advance and secure all your interests. And whose blessing maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow with it? In whose favour is life? Who can do for you exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think? Suppose a general, after the termination of a war, returning home, and entering the presence of the king, the fountain of honour; and introducing one by one those who had distinguished themselves under him: he calls them by name, he relates their exploits, he testifies their obedience, their skill, their prowess, their perseverance; and asks for their remuneration and preferment—What could be more gratifying and glorious? Yet what would this be, compared with the conduct of the Lord Jesus, the leader and commander of his people, when, his warfare being accomplished, he shall present those who have fought the good fight of faith before the throne of the Majesty of heaven and earth, and claim for them the promises of the new and everlasting covenant: "Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am to behold my glory?"

The Third is the period of commendation. We all know how much depends upon the seasonableness of an action. There is a