it is an easy matter to be an hypocrite, but not to live godly.(R. The other particular which I would bring out from this general truth of the methodicalness which the faithful Creator observes is this: a good method, as we know, is not to be set aside every now and then because it may seem not to meet exactly all cases and contingencies. All the Christian's foes are marshalled under three sturdy generals — the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. For the difficulties of religion are not alike in all times, nor to all persons; for they are not like a geometrical measure, which is always exactly the same; but rather like a voyage at sea, which is to be managed by the same compass and to the same port; hut it sometimes proves calm and pleasant, and at other times stormy and tempestuous. Therefore beware of wilful pollutions and unholy ways. Sometimes, to notice the two extremes, when it is violently assailed by doubts within and infidel expressions and actions without, its injury will be sudden and apparent, like that of a plant which in spring is smitten with the blast of the east wind, so that one hour its roots are firm and its leaves green, the next its roots are loose, and its leaves dried up and withered. let it be our chief care to see to that which Satan strikes at most!III. (3) At their exit out of the world they meet with abundance of difficulty, so that though they be saved, yet it is with a scarcely; their enemies would not suffer it if they could hinder it. The peace of heaven forbids that you should go there in your sins. Sent a Saviour for them — engaged to accept and keep them.IV. Provided yet further, that we pray earnestly to God for His gracious help, for His merciful comfort and support under sufferings; that He would be pleased to strengthen our faith, and lengthen out our patience, in proportion to the degree and duration of our sufferings.5. C. Holiness of life and zeal in religion will provoke the ungodly (Matthew 11:18; Luke 7:33; Hebrews 11:25, 26).3. L. Watkinson.The victorious general in the hour of triumph has not unfrequently reason to remember how nearly, through oversight or miscalculation, he had lost the day: a little more pressure on this wing or that, a trifling prolongation of the struggle, a few minutes' further delay in the arrival of reinforcements, and his proud banner had been dragged in the dust. Pharaoh after the Israelites.4. Besides, sensible things ever surround them, try to press into their souls by every avenue of their senses, and exclusively, fill their affections and engage their thoughts; hence their disinclination to exercise faith would be proportionately increased. If Satan have always ruled it, God will not embrace it.2. If the righteous be "scarcely saved," where will the ungodly and sinner appear? )The difficulties that are to be encountered in the way of salvationBp. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." They are subject to many sicknesses, grievous pains, diseases, losses, crosses, disgrace, persecution at the hand of the wicked, etc. Another aggravation of sins against the gospel is that they sin against the better covenant. (1)It wins those that are indifferent. It is the day of battle that tests the valour and fidelity of soldiers. And He will not until we again reflect His glory in the fullest measure, and are prepared to take that high place and do that grand service for which we were originally designed. How is it possible, then, that the ungodly and sinners can find favour before the judgment seat?(C. Sibbes.God will have it thus to sweeten heaven unto us. A great amount of labour will be requisite to push him forward in his heavenly pilgrimage.5. Many a faithful woman's life has been the one scarce noticed, continuous thread, slight, but not to be broken, on which has been bound and kept together all the happiness and success of sons and daughters. )The difficulty of salvationC. (3)Rebellion against God (Romans. And this the Lord doth out of mercy to His poor creatures, that they might not sink before Him, but gather strength of grace, and be the better fitted to bear further crosses afterwards. This is the simple answer to the question. If the soul be not well, the body will not continue long in a good estate. In case of a temporary fall and miscarriage, to raise us up by repentance, and a greater resolution and constancy under sufferings.III. Carrying our thought of this character a step further, observe, secondly, that in this Biblical phrase is included the truth that God has some regular method in whatever He does. The righteous are saved, while the life and welfare of their souls are secured, whatever may otherwise befall them.II. The will of God is complete recovery, restoration to even greater glory in all its parts, and to this end nothing the Divine Father could expend that would serve this purpose has been withheld. An action, to commit.2. But take heed of walking in any way of sin, for that will unsettle thy confidence. other things must be parted with first or last. (4) That those who consulted most the ease and pleasure of mankind were forced to put men upon some hard and unpleasant things to make anything like happiness to consist in pleasure. It is not that easy trifling matter which many take it to be. The ground of this confidence is in these two things, the ability and fidelity in Him in whom we trust. AND THIS HELPS US TO RECONCILE THE DIFFICULTY OF SALVATION WITH THE EASINESS OF THE TERMS OF THE GOSPEL. Faith fulness in the highest is for us to be true to our ideals. Sibbes. (7) The opposition they meet with from Satan (chap. Will not heaven be worth all the efforts he has yet to make?2. When they rashly expose themselves to danger and run upon sufferings for the sake of religion.2. There will await him many other dangers, of which he can have yet no conception.II. 1 Peter 5:8). The person to whom, to God.4. The soul is the more excellent part, witness He that purchased the same with His dearest blood. Because there is much ado to get Lot out of Sodom, to get Israel out of Egypt.2. There the former trials will contribute to the eternal bliss.(C. THAT THERE IS AN END TO THE UNCONVERTED.II. Coals of confusion.Some will say, Christianity is a strange condition, that enforceth such things upon men, that are so contrary to nature. GOD THE CREATOR IS FAITHFUL IS HIS RELATIONS TO US HIS CREATURES. We must assume the Divine responsibility on the large scale of history. Sometimes by adversity. At other times, when its exercise or its nourishment is neglected through a worldly spirit, its injury will be gradual and imperceptible, like that of a plant which, while it is left uncultivated, has a worm at its roots. Leighton. Now to notice the particular causes of such difficulty. God is not always chiding (Psalm 103:9), but hath times of intermission, which He vouchsafes His children for their good. it may be according to your idea of that mercy, and yet not against that mercy itself. God is faithful to us, however unfaithful we have been to Him.V. Let them commit the keeping of their souls to Him, etc.1. How many postpone conversion because they think that it is so easy to become religious — they can begin at any time! Unless it is translated into our lives, and embodied in our actions, it is a curse.I. Pharaoh after the Israelites.4. Poverty; Christ so suffered; so did His disciples; bodily affliction, etc.2. "Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" I have often thought it well for Christians that they do not see all their difficulties at first. So the fact that God has method, and must have it in order to be faithful, is reason enough why He does not vary the course of His providence to meet some of our desires, however much the good God might wish to gratify us. Provided, likewise, that we do not attempt our own preservation or deliverance from suffering by evil and unlawful means.3. Consider the appeal IN ITS REFERENCE TO TEMPORAL CALAMITIES.1. I do not mean that for infirmities a Christian ought to be discouraged. Satan makes assault. The temptations to such neglect are many and great. The second inference is that the righteous have great cause for earnest striving that the evidences of their conversion may be clear to themselves and to others.3. Provided, also, that we do trust the providence of God, and do indeed commit ourselves to it; relying upon His wisdom and goodness, and entirely submitting ourselves to His will and disposal, both as to the degree and duration of our sufferings.4. Certain limitations are fixed in the divine wisdom to the amount of moral influence which God shall employ in the case of a sinner. Or the business of their parents may have been such as to miseducate them. But let us come to declarations and facts — the declarations of Scripture and the facts of human life. A faithful Creator! 1. What will be your condition in the next world?(J. The difficulty in the salvation of either the righteous or the wicked turns not on any want of mercy in the heart of God. Their deep and all engrossing desire and purpose to please God was the law of their entire activities. This text contains also the kindred truth that God has aim or object. Sibbes. But, positively, one difficulty is found in the nature of God's government, and in the nature of free agency in this world. I am satisfied that the genuine sense of our text hath a particular reference to temporal salvation from calamity, for the copulative particle "and" makes a connection between it and the foregoing verses, where we have the apostle speaking unto God's people about their suffering for the cause of Christ. They can shed sin as naturally as a bird his feathers, or a tree its bark. In their reputation. Every one knows how terribly this law tends to perpetuate and strengthen itself. 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