and sympathies with our own, their indication was nevertheless unattended with the least admixture of sin. It is written expressly that Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." i While he was here in the flesh, he suffered by hunger and thirst, weariness and other natural infirmities of human kind, and by all manner of temptations and persecutions, and by inward and outward afflictions and trials, just of the same kind, and in the same manner as we ourselves are liable to them. . . And yet he bore and went through his own troubles without ever having misbehaved, or committed the least sin, though he was tempted to it." 2 5. When he saw fit he answered his adversaries with singular point and propriety. At other times we find him perfectly silent when he could have no hope of doing good by speaking. At all times he evinced cool self-possession and discretion in word and deed. Revenge never appeared in him; calmness and forbearance never forsook him. revilings of men, and no cruel treatment ever exasperated him. Though oppressed and afflicted, and though brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet he opened not his mouth. No 6. The advantage of looking at such an example, and learning of Christ, is very great, " And ye shall find rest to your souls." What rest is comparable to that of the soul, or what peace like that of the mind? In a world of vexations, and with a nature so prone to irritation, it is important that we should have our minds well fortified with Christian principles. Heb. iv. 15. See Parkhurst on reipasw, to tempt or try. 3 Matt. ix. 2, 3; xii. 25. To feel meek and patient, cool and unperturbed, amidst the constant collision of opposing tempers, is indeed an enviable frame of mind: this is a victory which many of God's people have gained; having often, under peculiar trials, derived great support and encouragement from turning their eye to Him whose grace is of so sovereign an efficacy, and whose pattern is so bright. Indeed they are warranted to expect this, as they are members incorporate in that elect body, every joint and part of which hath nourishment ministered from the head, which is Christ. Col. ii. 19. 7. St. Paul was ever urgent in inculcating the Christian temper. The following is only one from many similar exhortations: "I therefore beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.......... Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. iv. CHAPTER V. ON PATIENCE AND EXPERIENCE. 1. "IN your patience possess ye your souls,"1 is the injunction of Him who exemplified this virtue in perfection. St. Paul writes, "Ye have need of patience." "Be patient toward all men.” “ "Let patience have her perfect work." Luther said, 'Patience is the best of virtues.' Few men had more need of it. And we may well excuse his occasional warmth, when we consider the justice of his cause, the unreasonable spirits he had to deal with, and that, though he was but a mortal man, he accomplished, through the good hand of his God upon him, immortal good. Had his temper been of a sheepish time-serving turn, the glorious Reformation might, humanly speaking, have continued in abeyance to this day. Yet he did no more, in fact, than what the inspired Jude enjoined, viz. to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." 2.Epictetus the Grecian said, 'Suffer and abstain;' as also the Hebrews 1 Luke xxi. 19. 3 1 Thess. v. 14. 2 Heb. x. 36. 4 James i. 4. "Believe not all thou hearest, And the prophet saith, in being silent consisteth our strength.'1 3. No man, in any condition of life, can pass his days with tolerable comfort without patience. It is of universal use. Without it prosperity will be continually interrupted, and adversity will be clouded with double darkness. He who is without patience will be uneasy and troublesome to all with whom he is connected, and will be more troublesome to himself than to any other. The loud complaint, the querulous temper, and fretful spirit, disgrace every character: we weaken thereby the sympathy of others, and estrange them from the offices of kindness and comfort. But to maintain a steady and unbroken mind amidst all the shocks of adversity, forms the highest honour of man. Afflictions supported by patience, and surmounted by fortitude, give the last finishing stroke to the heroic and virtuous character.' 2 4. Lewis IX. commonly called St. Lewis, after a long absence from home, and many conflicts, said to our Henry III. ‘I think myself more happy that God has given me patience in suffering, than if I had conquered the world.' 5. We have a fine instance of patience in the late venerable Thomas Scott: Having gone on the packet on one occasion (between London and Margate) when it did not sail at all punctually to the time which had been named, he sat down to 1 Luther. 2 Rev. C. Buck. read in the cabin. A gentleman, who had expressed much impatience and displeasure at the delay, at length addressed himself to him, observing that his quietness was quite provoking; that he seemed ready to put up with any thing. His reply was, Sir, I dare say I shall get to the end of our voyage just as soon as you will.'' '1 6. Most people will sing to the praise and glory of patience; but judging by their conduct one would think it were only a commodity to be kept in a drawer as an article of infrequent use, although it is as needful every hour as clothing to the body. 7. 'Two words are more especially used in the New Testament to express this temper. One is Makgolvμa, a length of mind. This our trauslators sometimes render patience, as in Hebrews vi. 12. James v. 10; and sometimes long suffering, as in Rom. ii. 4; ix. 22. 2 Cor. vi. 6. It is directly opposed to hastiness of spirit. The other word most frequently used for patience, is that in my text (Heb. ix. 36, vπоμovŋ, abiding constant under afflictions; or, sustaining the evils which befal us, with perseverance in our duty, in expectation of the deliverance and recompence promised in due time.' 8. Patience is not an insensibleness of present evils, or an indifference for future good. . . . . Patience secures the possession of our souls in every circumstance that tends to discompose our minds. This is to possess our souls in any trial of patience; to continue in an even frame, and ward off all impressions which would ruffle our minds, or put 1 Scott's Life, p. 322. An admirable work. 2 Dr. Evans. See Parkhurst on the words. |