and despised the shame, viz. the glory of God in the accomplishment of all the councils of divine wisdom and grace, and the salvation of all the elect. These were the two things that the mind of Christ valued above life, honor, reputation, and all that was dear to him.

How was this joy set before him? By God the Father, the sovereign Lord of this whole affair. And respect may be had to the eternal constitution of God, the covenant of redemption, between the Father and the Son; all the promises, prophecies, and predictions that were given out by divine revelation from the beginning of the world. And his faith of its accomplishment against oppositions, and under all his sufferings, is illustriously expressed, Isa. 1, 6-9.

$5. "He endured the cross and despised the shame." Pain and shame are the two constituent parts of all outward sufferings; and they were both eminent in the death of the cross. No death more lingering, painful, and cruel; none so shameful, wherein he that suffered was in his dying hours exposed publicly to the scorn, contempt, and insults of the worst of men. "He endured it;" he patiently endured it, as the word signifies. The invincible patience of our Lord Jesus Christ enduring the cross, was manifested not only in the holy composure of his soul in all his sufferings to the last breath, expressed by the prophet, Isa. liii, 7, but in this also, that during his torments, being so unjustly, so ungratefully, so villanously dealt with by the Jews; he neither reviled, reproached, nor threatened them with that vengeance and destruction which it was in his power to bring upon them every moment; but he pitied them, and prayed for them to the last, that if it were possible their sin might be forgiven, Luke xxiii, 34; 1 Pet, ii, 21-23. Never was any

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such example of patient enduring given in the world, before nor since; nor can any equal to it be given-in human nature. To invincible patience he added heroic magnanimity; (aixuvns nala@povnoes) "despising the shame," ignominy, contempt; it denotes shame from reproach and scorn, such as the Lord Jesus in his death was exposed to; an ignominy that the world, both Jews and Gentiles, long made use of to countenance themselves in their unbelief. This he despised, that is, he did not faint because of it; he valued it not, in comparison of the blessed and glorious effect of his sufferings, which was always in his eye.

The blessed frame of mind in our Lord Jesus in all his sufferings is that which the apostle proposeth for our encouragememt, and to our imitation. And it is that which contains the exercise of all grace, faith, love, submission to the will of God, zeal for his glory, and compassion for the souls of men in their highest degree.

§6. "And is set down at the right hand of the throne. of God;" in equal authority, glory, and power with God, in the rule and government of all. For the meaning of the words, see the Exposition on chap. i, 3; chap. viii, 1.

On the whole, we have an exact delineation of our Christian course in a time of persecution;-in the blessed example of it, the sufferings of Christ; the assured consequent of it, eternal glory; in a direction for the right discharge of our duty; which is the exercise of faith on Christ himself for assistance, as a sufferer and a Savior. And how great is our encouragement from the joy and glory that are set before us as the issue of all!

$7. Hence observe:

1. The foundation of our stability in faith and gospel profession, in times of trial and suffering, is a con

stant looking to Christ, with expectation of aid and assistance; having encouraged us to our duty by his example. Nor shall we endure any longer than whilst the eye of our faith is fixed on him. From him alone do we derive our refreshments in all our trials..

2. It is a mighty encouragement to constancy and perseverance in believing, that he in whom we believe is the author and finisher of our faith. He both begins it in us, and carries it on to perfection.

3. The exercise of faith on Christ to enable us to persevere under difficulties and persecutions, respects him as a Savior and a sufferer, as the author and finisher of faith itself.

Herein is the Lord Christ our great example, in that he was influenced in all he did and suffered by a continual respect to the glory of God, and the salvation of the church. And,

5. If we duly propose these things to ourselves in all our sufferings, as they are set before us in the scripture, we shall not faint under them, nor be weary of them.

6. This manner of Christ's enduring the cross ought to be continually before us, that we may glorify God in conformity thereto, according to the measure of our attainments, when we are called to sufferings. If we ean see the beauty and glory of it, we are safe.

7. If he went victoriously through his suffering, we also may be victorious through his aid, who is the auand finisher of our faith. And,

8. We have the highest instance that faith can conquer both fear and shame. Wherefore,

9. We should neither think strange of them, not fear them on account of our profession of the gospel, seeing the Lord Jesus hath gone before in his conflict with them and conquest over them.

VERSE S.

For consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

St. The same argument continued, with a special improvement of it. §2. What we are cautioned about; against being weary or faint. $3, 4. The suffering example of Christ proposed. 65, 6. Observations.

§1. THE apostle carries on the same argument, with respect to an especial improvement of it in this verse. (Tap) for, renders not a reason of what was spoken before, but denotes a progress to an especial motive to the duty exhorted to. Some copies read (v) therefore, in a progressive exhortation.

The peculiar manner of the respect of faith to Christ is expressed by (avahoyioarbe) consider, compare things by their due proportion one to another. Whereas mention is made of him who endured, and of what he endured, we must inquire where the emphasis lies. If he suffered, if he endured such things, why should not we do so also? For he was the Son of God, the author and finisher our faith. Compute thus with yourselves, that if he, though being so great, so excellent, so infinitely exalted above us, yet endured such contradiction of sinners, ought we not to do so if called to it? Or else he calls us to the consideration of what he suffered in particular, as to the contradiction of sinners; such, so great contradiction, by comparing our own with them. And this sense the following words incline to; "for you have not yet resisted unto blood," as he did.

But although these things are thus distinguished, yet are they not to be divided. Both the person of Christ, and what he suffered, are proposed to our diligent consideration, and our impartial estimate of them, with respect to ourselves and our sufferings.

§2. "Lest ye be wearied;" the word (napvw) signifies to labor, so as to bring on weariness; and to be sick, which also is accompanied with weariness. The apostle treating before of a race, he may easily be supposed to have respect to such as fainted therein through weariness. But the sense of the words is fully explained in Rev. ii, 3, "Thou hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted." To abide and persevere in suffering and labor for the name of Christ, is, "not to faint," or be wearied; wherefore to be wearied in this case, is to be so pressed and discouraged with the greatness or length of difficulties and trials, as to draw back, partially or totally, from the profession of the gospel. This I judge to be the frame of mind here cautioned against, viz. the want of life, vigor, and cheerfulness in profession, tending to a relinquishment of it; (TMn Luxy exλuεoba, animo defici et concidere) to have the strength and vigor of the mind dissolved, so as to faint and fall; and it consists principally in a remission of the due acting of faith by all graces, and in all duties. It is faith that stirs up and engageth spiritual courage, resolution, patience, perseverance, prayer, and all preserving graces and duties; and on this failing our spiritual strength is dissolved, and we wax weary.

§3. And as to his sufferings, he proposeth the consideration of them in one special instance, and therein every word is emphatical;--it was contradiction he underwent;—and it was such, or so great, that it is not easy to be apprehended;-it was the contradiction of sinners;—and it was against himself immediately. 1. He endured contradiction. The word is used for any kind of opposition in things as well as words, and so may include the whole sufferings of Christ from men; but no doubt the apostle hath a peculiar respect