them, and their enemies too, that those who trust in him never trust in vain. Nebuchadnezzar himself saw this, and said, "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." then the king went to the mouth of the furnace, and cried, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither." And they came forth out of the midst of the fire. And When we read of the conduct of these three holy men, we may be reminded of many others who, at different times, have been called not only to confess their faith in God before cruel enemies, but even to suffer death itself in consequence. You have heard of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of the truth. It was God's will that they should suffer death, just as it was his will that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, should be delivered from it. But his will was wise and good in both cases; and those holy martyrs did not desire deliverance; and they did not shrink from death, however cruel and painful, if God appointed it for them. Many of them were enabled to praise God even in the fire; and they are now praising him in glory; and singing, with many more who have come out of great tribulation, "Salvation to our God which sit teth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Rev. vii. 10.) Dear children, be thankful that, in the happy days in which we live, God's people are not threatened with cruel deaths for professing his truth and obeying his commands. And while you are thankful, do not forget that the faith and courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, are what you and all of us should seek to have, in whatever circumstances we may be placed. Jesus says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. ii. 10.) But there is another furnace into which God's people are sometimes cast; and a very different one from that of which we have been speaking. And they are put there not by cruel enemies, but by their merciful God; not that they may be hurt and consumed, but that they may be benefited and blessed. Do you know what furnace I mean? I mean affliction. Affliction is often compared in the Bible to fire. God is often pleased to put his people into this furnace for their good. If everything in this world were pleasant and delightful-if there were no pain, no sorrow,-then even God's people, perhaps, might love it too well, and wish to make it their home, and to live here always, instead of looking forward to their better home in heaven, and having their hearts and affections there. And so, God is pleased sometimes to send sorrows and troubles, to |