not an uncommon event in those times, if it should occur. Those who were in a state of slavery, were frequently exposed to the caprice of froward and ill-tempered masters, who treated them roughly and with ill usage. The apostle directs these poor people how to conduct themselves in such circumstances. And what a picture of Christianity is here presented to us; such as no other system of religion ever exhibited to the world.

By omitting the introduction to the Epistle for this day, the compilers of our Liturgy have shown that they considered what is said in it to be applicable to Christians in general; and not merely to the particular class of persons to whom it is immediately addressed. The apostle remarks that this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. This is thankworthy, or this is grace; it is a token of Divine grace influencing the heart. Human nature will always resist, if possible, the conduct of the froward and perverse; and especially their injurious treatment. It will return evil for evil. Froward masters were accustomed to beat their slaves, and sometimes very unmercifully. In such cases Christian slaves were commanded to submit to ill treatment for conscience toward God, and not to revenge themselves, although they might be dealt with cruelly, even when there was no cause,

except the caprice of perverse men. The case stated is that of suffering wrongfully, or unjustly; which it is indeed hard to bear. It is, however, the Christian's duty, when right is overpowered by might, to consider suffering as ordered by God, for the trial of faith and patience; and therefore to wait upon God, and beseech Him to overrule the dispensation for His own glory and praise. In other cases, the apostle argues, For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God, or this is grace from God. For those to suffer patiently, who are conscious of deserving punishment, is that in which human nature may acquiesce; but to possess the soul in patience under suffering for doing well, or when nothing amiss has been done, which might afford a pretext for ill treatment, this is the effect of grace from God. It is beyond human nature to be submissive under such circumstances. We learn here that those who are disposed to murmur when they meet with unmerited ill treatment, should seek Divine grace to enable them to bear what His providence is pleased to lay upon them, and calls them to endure, rather than give way to a murmuring or revengeful disposition. This grace will be found sufficient to support them under every affliction; and will be vouchsafed to the suffering children

of God, who seek it from Him in the time of their need.

In order to repress all feelings of discontent and murmuring under affliction, Christians are reminded that in this world they must expect to meet with tribulation. For even hereunto were ye called. It is the Divine appointment that, by means of the sufferings of this present time, the children of God should have their hearts and minds weaned from this world. On this account they are called to suffer affliction, and to suffer it patiently; to be patient under what they are called to endure, and not to murmur and repine at their allotment, but to carry their afflictions to God, and to cast all their care upon Him.

While believers in Christ suffer for His sake, they walk in the path which their Lord and Saviour has trodden before them. They may therefore well be patient in suffering, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. Christ suffered not for His own sins, but for ours, for the sins of His people. He was a pattern of suffering wrongfully with patience. If we are called to suffer, here is an example which we should set before us for our imitation. And we may well regard it as a high honour to follow His steps, even in the path of suffering and affliction, when He has gone before us in it. Never was there so great a sufferer as He was, when He

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suffered for our sins. And we are told that, In that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, or tried, He is able to succour them that are tempted; because He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He suffered, who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. We suffer because we are sinners. Sin bas introduced into the world all the misery that is found in it; sin brought death into the world, and all our woe. If we were not sinners we should not know what suffering is. But our bodies are a prey to various diseases, and to death itself, because we are fallen creatures, who have inherited a corrupt nature and a tainted frame from our parents and ancestors; and have additional cause of suffering on account of our own transgressions. But Christ did no sin, knew no sin, in Him was no sin; 88 and therefore He could not have suffered had He not willingly done so, in order to effect some great end or purpose. No guile or deceit was in Him. What He said of Nathanael was most true of Himself; Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.89 His mouth ever uttered what His heart dictated. No hypocrisy was ever practised by Him in any degree whatever. In all this He hath left us an example, that we should follow His steps, and thus manifest ourselves to be truly His disciples. 86 Heb. ii. 18; iv. 15. 872 Cor. v. 21. 881 John iii. 5. 89 Johni.47.

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And notwithstanding He was treated so unjustly, yet, when He was reviled, He reviled not again; and although He might have avenged Himself of His adversaries, yet, when He suffered, He threatened not. He told His opposers, indeed, that hereafter they should see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.90 But when they mocked and buffetted and spit upon Him, He meekly submitted to it, without a murmur or complaint; But committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. When He was apprehended, and one of His disciples would have defended Him from those who came to take Him prisoner, He said unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath; the cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?91 though He could add, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But as He willingly acquiesced in the object proposed by His sufferings, He asked, How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?90 If He had delivered Himself from the power of His enemies, the object for which He came into the world would have failed of being accomplished. From His illustrious example His people are to learn forbearance, and patience, and submission, in adversity, to the

90 Matthew xxvi. 64, 53, 54.

91 John xviii. 11.