SEAM. X.1 THE BIDDEN LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN. Isg caves of darkness, or rather in a den of savages. They must fellow the Captain of their salvation through a thou- sand dangers and sufferings; and they shall receive their crown too, and a glory like that which arrays their divine Leader. O may I never think it hard to trace the footsteps of my Lord, though it be in a miry, or a thorny way ! May I never repine at poverty and meanness of circumstance in my present pilgrimage ! nor think it strange if the world scorn and abuse me, or if Satan, the foul spirit, should assault and buffet me sorely! Dare I hope to appear in glory, when Christ, who is my life, appears; and can I not bear to attend him in his sufferings and shame ? Am I better than myblessed Lord ? -What poor attendants had the Son of God, at his first entrance into our world . How mean was every thing that belonged to him on earth ! What vile and despicable raiment, unworthy of the Prince of glory ! What coarse provision, and sorry furniture, to entertain incarnate godhead ! And how impious was the treatment he found among men, and impudent temptations from the same foul spi- rit ! He had snares, sorrows, and temptations, watch- ing all around him : The sorrows of death compassed him about, and the powers of darkness crouded him with their envious assaults; earth and hell were at once en- gaged against him ; they hung him bleeding on a cursed and infamous tree, lifted on high to be made á more public gazingstock, and an object of wider scorn ! Blessed Saviour ! how divine was thy patience to endure all these indignities, and not call for thy Father's legions, nor thy Own thunder. But, this was the hour of thy appointed combat, the .place of thy voluntary obscurity, and the season of thy bidden life ; and thy saints must bear thy resemblance in both worlds. How Unspeakable were thy past sorrows i änd thy present glories all unspeakable! How infinitely different were these dark and mournful scenes, from the joysand honours thou hast purchased by those very suf- ferings ! Sacred honours and joys without alloy, which thou art now possessed of as their great forerunner, and. hast made ready for thy subjects in thy own kingdom ! What robes of light shall array thy followers in that day: What bright planet, or brighter, star, shall be the place'
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