February 3

ruled to aid its progress. Persecution has always turned out to the furtherance of the Gospel.

What was the issue? "And I was delivered from the mouth of the lion." Does he refer to the enemy of souls? He is called a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour: and he hoped to prevail with Paul to deny the Saviour's name. Or does he refer to Nero? The Scripture frequently compares wicked men, and especially tyrants, to beasts of prey: and it was impossible to disgrace such a monster as now filled the imperial throne—a wretch who killed his preceptor, had his mother ripped up before his eyes, and entertained himself at supper by the burnings of Christians at the corners of his pleasure-grounds. Yet this hardly agrees with Paul's manner of writing, and the respect he considered due officially to his sovereign. The expression therefore is to be considered rather as a phrase significant of a narrow escape from a very pressing jeopardy. Hence David had said, "Save me from the lion's mouth." Paul's case was looked upon not only as dangerous but desperate. He was considered a dead man. Yet the emperor and the senate did nothing against him; but after a hearing, he was sent back simply as a prisoner.

The sufferings of God's servants depend not on the fancies and passions of men, but the providence of God. Their enemies are chained; and wherein they think to deal proudly, he is above them. He restrains or diverts them by his power when he does not govern them by his grace. "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

He often permits his people to fall into the greatest extremities, and then appears for them, to show his power and glory, and to teach them never to despair. Therefore, ye seed of Jacob, hope in him and wait for him. He whom you serve is continually able to deliver you. He can deliver you not only from the lion's paw, but from the lion's mouth.

FEBRUARY 3.—"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."—2 Timothy 4:13.

HERE he expresses his full assurance of hope, after the trial he had experienced from the desertion of his friends, and the succour he had received from the presence of his Saviour. What he expected, however, was not exemption from trials. He looked for suffering. He knew that bonds and afflictions awaited him. But he knew also that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work—and that, far from allowing him to apostatize or backslide, he would enable him to resist temptation, to hold on his way, to finish his course with joy—and preserve him unto his heavenly kingdom.

What a destination! Nothing less than a kingdom, a heavenly kingdom, his heavenly kingdom, procured by him, prepared by him, the same he himself enjoys, and which his followers are to possess with him, according to his promise: "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me."

But what is the prospect of such a glorious estate, if we are de-

stroyed before we attain it! It is obvious the Apostle believed in his own perseverance and final salvation. The expressions he uses are not the language of a man in doubt, floating between hope and fear; but of a man fully convinced and assured. And it is delightful to find him expressing the same certainty of mind with regard to all the subjects of divine grace: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Yes, Christians; you may equally rejoice in hope of the glory of God. He has provided for all your wants. He will secure you in every danger. Sin shall not have dominion over you. The God of peace will bruise Satan under your feet shortly. You have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, than they that are in the world. Yea, in all these things you are more than conquerors.

It is obvious the Apostle derived encouragement in his expectation from his former experience: the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, and I was delivered from the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. The proofs we have had of his mercy and grace should animate us in our dependence; for he is always the same; and one blessing is the pledge of another. The victories of an old soldier feed his courage. David was filled with confidence in his dreadful conflict, by such recollections and reasoning.

But his expectation was founded on the Lord Jesus, as his deliverer and his preserver: the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. He is engaged to do it. He is able to do it. He is able to save unto the uttermost. I can trust him for every period, and with every result. "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day."

What wonder therefore that he should exclaim, "To whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen?" And will you not, Christian, make this Amen your own? It becometh well the just to be thankful. Praise is comely for the upright. It is the most unselfish exercise of your religion; and it will be the most durable. It will be the work, the enjoyment of heaven.

You say, "I hope I am grateful." You hope you are! As if there was any difficulty in determining the thing. Would similar conduct towards an earthly benefactor be deemed grateful? What are the sentiments of your mind? The affections of your heart? The language of your lips? Above all—What is the language of your life? Actions speak louder than words.

Like Paul, he enlarged in your gratitude. Be concerned that his praise may be as lasting as his goodness—that his glory may be for ever. Do what you can to advance it, not only while living, but when dying, and even when dead. I mean, by the institutions you have established or supported—by the examples you leave behind you—by the children you have instructed—by the sinners you have converted from the errors of their ways to be a seed to serve him, and which shall be accounted for a generation, and who shall come and declare his righteousness to a nation that shall be born, that he hath done this.