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the world persecuted the Lord Jesus to death, they killed the Prince of life, they crucified the Lord of glory; and they afterwards put to death His apostles. St. Paul said to Timothy, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; and at another time declared, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.82 As far as the children of God come in contact with the people of the world, they may expect to find that they are called to suffer with Christ, or as He did. Let them return good for evil, blessing for cursing; not troubling themselves about the sufferings of this present time, which are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in them; 83 but remembering that it is written, If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him, we shall be glorified together with Him in His everlasting kingdom. And as our light

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affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, we may well bear with it; following the example of Him, who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. Let us cast all our care upon Him who careth for us; and believing, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, in hope of receiving the end of our faith, even the everlasting salvation of our souls.85

83 Rom. viii 16. 84 2 Cor. iv. 17. 85 1 Peter ii. 23; i. 8, 9.

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WHOM THE ENDS OF THE WORLD ARE COME.

WHEREFORE, LET HIM THAT THINKETH HE

STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL.

THE history contained in the holy scriptures of the Old Testament is exceedingly instructive. It was not written with the same design as other histories, merely for the purpose of recording past events, but chiefly in order to show the dealings of God with mankind as a pattern to all future ages of the world. Such is the statement of the text with regard to the account given of the journeying of the Israelites through the

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the world persecuted the Lord Jesus to death, they killed the Prince of life, they crucified the Lord of glory; and they afterwards put to death His apostles. St. Paul said to Timothy, All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; and at another time declared, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.82 As far as the children of God come in contact with the people of the world, they may expect to find that they are called to suffer with Christ, or as He did. Let them return good for evil, blessing for cursing; not troubling themselves about the sufferings of this present time, which are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in them; 83 but remembering that it is written, If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him, we shall be glorified together with Him in His everlasting kingdom. And as our light

affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, we may well bear with it; following the example of Him, who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. Let us cast all our care upon Him who careth for us; and believing, we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, in hope of receiving the end of our faith, even the everlasting salvation of our souls 85

83 Rom. viii 16. 84 2 Cor. iv. 17. 85 1 Peter ii. 23; i. 8, 9.

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WHOM THE ENDS OF THE WORLD ARE COME.

WHEREFORE, LET HIM THAT THINKETH HE

STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL.

THE history contained in the holy scriptures of the Old Testament is exceedingly instructive. It was not written with the same design as other histories, merely for the purpose of recording past events, but chiefly in order to show the dealings of God with mankind as a pattern to all future ages of the world. Such is the statement of the text with regard to the account given of the journeying of the Israelites through the

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wilderness to the land of Canaan. When therefore we take up the volume of Divine revelation, we should endeavour to obtain instruction from it in this point of view; that seeing the manner in which God has acted toward His people in times past, we may learn to avoid their sins and errors on the one hand; and on the other, may take encouragement to put our trust in the Lord God; believing that He will bless us as He did His ancient people, when with purpose of heart we cleave unto the Lord. In considering the Epistle for this day, we may direct our attention,

First, To the privileges with which the Israelites were favoured; and compare with them those which we enjoy.

Secondly, To their conduct in the wilderness, which is said particularly to be recorded for our admonition; and

Thirdly, To the exhortation which the apostle enforces from the consideration of it.

May we be led by the teaching and blessing of the Spirit of God to value our privileges, and to make a right use of them; and taking the warning here given to us, may we receive the word of exhortation, to the glory of God and our own happiness and salvation.

First, The privileges which the Israelites enjoyed, are enumerated by the apostle. He commences by saying, Brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were

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