And then, besides this, there are all the cares and griefs which
befall each of us, with regard to which also, as well as with regard
to the difficulties and dangers and oppositions which we may meet
with in a faithful Christian life, the principles of my text have a
distinct and direct application. He has told us in order that we
might not stumble, because when the hour comes and the sorrow comes
with it, we remember that He told us all about it before.

It is one of the characteristics of Christianity that Jesus Christ
does not try to enlist recruits by highly-coloured, rosy pictures of
the blessing and joy of serving Him, keeping His hand all the while
upon the weary marches and the wounds and pains. He tells us plainly
at the beginning, 'If you take My yoke upon you, you will have to
carry a heavy burden. You will have to abstain from a great many
things that you would like to do. You will have to do a great many
things that your flesh will not like. The road is rough, and a high
wall on each side. There are lovely flowers and green pastures on the
other side of the hedge, where it is a great deal easier walking upon
the short grass than it is upon the stony path. The roadway is
narrow, and the gateway is very strait, but the track goes steadily
up. Will you accept the terms and come in and walk upon it?'

It is far better and nobler, and more attractive also, to tell us
frankly and fully the difficulties and dangers than to try and coax
us by dwelling on pleasures and ease. Jesus Christ will have no
service on false pretences, but will let us understand at the
beginning that if we serve under His flag we have to make up our
minds to hardships which otherwise we may escape, to antagonisms
which otherwise will not be provoked, and to more than an ordinary
share of sorrow and suffering and pain. 'Through much tribulation we