Evidence for Heaven, Treatise · Part 9
Gospell Sufferings, OR Suffering as a Christian.
2 Tim. 2.12.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.
IN these words, the Apostle briefly layes before us another and a higher Evidence of our Salvation (to wit) suffering. Heaven the Kingdom of glory, where Jesus Christ reigns, is here promised to sufferers: But to find out, what kind of sufferers they are, to whom this great reward is promised, we must consult with other Scriptures, for it is not to all kind of sufferers, that this promise is made.
Before I speak of the kind of suffering, here spoken of, I shall here note foure or five things.
First, That suffering is a lesson very hard to flesh and blood to learn; which the Apostle knowing, as a wise scholemaster, sets before us, his schoolers, that which we all naturally desire (to wit) soveraignty, as the reward of this service, as a motive to quicken our dull hearts to buckle to our duty. If we suffer we shall also reign with him.
2. Active Obedience is a lesson hard to learn; passive Obedience is a lesson harder to flesh and blood to learn; neither of them can we learn to any purpose, unlesse Christ be our schoolemaster, but both of them will Christ teach us, so far forth as he sees it necessary for us, if he once undertake the work.
3. Suffering is of divers sorts, good or bad, according as the true cause of it is; a man may suffer for well doing, or for evill doing, it is to sufferers for well-doing, not to sufferers for evill doing that the Crown is promised.
4. Suffering is either just, or unjust; suffering is alwayes just from God, but not alwayes just from men, it is not to just suffering, but to unjust suffering from men, that this promise is made.
5. It is not to sufferers for the evill of sinne, nor to sufferers of the evill of sinne, to which the Crown is promised: But to sufferers of the evill of punishment for the avoiding of the evill of sinne, that it is promised, as …ppears by comparing this Text with some others; Peter explains Pauls meaning here, touching suffering, 1 Pet. 3.14. If ye suffer for righteousnesse sake, happy are ye, Chap. 4.14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, &c. Christ concurreth in this, Matth. 5.10, 11, 12, & 19.29. Hence it is evident, That it is not to all kind of suffering, but only to Gospel-suffering, that this great reward is promised.
I will not here stand to distinguish between suffering for righteousnesse sake, and suffering for Christs sake, or for his name sake, but leave it for them whose proper worke it is.
1. But here note, 1. That the sufferings of the Gospell comprehend both the Doctrine of the Gospell,Gospell-doctrine, Gospell-Discipline, Gospell-Conversation. and the Discipline of the Gospell, and Gospell-Conversation, and a man is a sufferer for the Gospel, that suffers in the defence of either of these, or for either.
2. And secondly. Note, That it is not suffering as an evill doer, but suffering as a Christian, that denominates an heir of Heaven; Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evill-doer, saith the Apostle; Yet if any man suffer (as a Christian) let him not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalfe, 1 Pet. 4.15, 16. Hence it is evident, That it is to him only that suffers as a Christian, that this promise of reigning with Christ is made; The Apostles meaning in this Text then, is, That if we suffer as Christians, we shall reign with him in glory.
Quest. But what is it to suffer as a Christian? or when may a man be said to suffer as a Christian?
Answ. To suffer as a Christian, is to suffer as Christ did suffer; and a man may be said to suffer, as a Christian, when he is truly conformable to Christ in suffering.
Christ suffered for the Will of his Father, for the fulfilling of the Will of his Father, and he suffered according to the Will of his Father; now when a man doth these two, when he suffers for the Will of Christ, and suffers according to the Will of Christ, then doth he suffer as Christ did, then may he be said to be conformable unto Christ in suffering, and to suffer, as a Christian.
A man then suffers for the Will of Christ, when he suffers for doing that which Christ would have him to do, or for refusing that which Christ would not have him to do.
A man then suffers, according to the Will of Christ, when he suffers as the Word of God requires him to suffer, (viz.) when he suffers out of Love to God, and suffers beleevingly, patiently, joyfully, couragiously, and perseveringly; for confcience towards God, that God may have honour thereby, and glorifies God for suffering.
My purpose is not to enter upon an accute discourse of either of these, but briefly to assert what I think necessary for the right understanding of them, as God shall inable me.
1. It is the Will of Christ, that he that suffers for his Will, should suffer out of love to his Will, and he that doth suffer for the Will of Christ, and doth not suffer out of love to the Will of Christ, doth not suffer according to the Will of Christ, This is evident by the Language of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 13.3. Though I give my body to be burned, and have …ot love, it profiteth me nothing; it is as if the Apostle had said, it is the Will of Christ, that I should suffer out of love to him, and if I do not thus, all my suffering is worth nothing, it is not according to the Will of Christ, nor worth any thing in Gods account; it comes to just nothing at last, it profiteth me nothing, &c.
A… all our active obedience, so all our passive obedience, must spring out of love to God,Note. as the efficient cause of it, else it is worth nothing with God.
2. It is the Will of Christ, that he that suffers for his will, should suffer beleevingly; this appears thus, It is the Will of Christ, that he that suffers for his Will, should suffer patiently, joyfully, couragiously and perseveringly, but this a man cannot possibly do, except he beleeve; therefore it follows by necessary consequence, that it is the Will of Christ, that he that suffers for his Will, should suffer beleevingly. This is also evident by Scripture, Ioh. 14.1. where Christ making a speech …o his Disciples to fit them for suffering, bids them beleeve, thereby declaring, that his Will was, that they should suffer beleevingly; and intimating, That if they did not suffer beleevingly, they did not suffer according to his will, although they suffered for his will.
A man may be then said to suffer beleevingly, when he by faith committeth the keeping of his soul unto God in well-doing, as the Apostle Peter speaks; when he beleeves that Christ will be with him in all his sufferings, strengthen him to suffer, carry him through all that he cals him to suffer, and abundantly reward all his sufferings for his sake, according to his Word.
3. It is the Will of Christ, that he that suffers for his will should suffer patiently; God cals for patience in suffering; Be patient in tribulation, Rom. 12.12. In your patience, possesse ye your souls, Luk. 21.19. We should follow Christ in patient suffering, saith the Apostle,1 Pet. 2.21, 23. for even hereunto are we called: Hence it is evident, That he that suffers for the will of Christ, doth not suffer according to the will of Christ, except he suffer patiently.
Divine patience, What?Divine patience, or patience considered, as a divine quality, is the issue and creame of many graces; It is a Diamond in the midst of a Triangle, (to wit … a vertue between stupidity, despising the chastisement of the Lord, and fainting under it; it is a grace which keeps a man quiet within, when all things are troublous, and very unquiet without; it is a grace which possesses a man of himself, when dispossessed of all earthly comforts; it is a speciall work of the Spirit of God in the soul, enabling a man not stupidly, but quietly to bear whatsoever God lays upon him, without feeling murmuring, or repining, against God or man, in heart or in tongue, or fainting under his chastising hand.
When it is thus with a sufferer for Christ, then may he be said to suffer according to the will of Christ in this particular (to wit) patiently.
4. Christ requires joy in sufferers for his will; Count it all joy aJa. 1.2.when you fall into divers temptations. Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad bMat. 5.12.saith Christ. Rejoyce in that day and leap for joy.cLu. 6.23.
It is divine joy, or the joy of grace, that Christ here calls for in sufferers for his will; it is that joy, which Nehemiah calls, The joy of the Lord.
Divine joy, What?And this is a holy passion of the soul, issuing out of the apprehension of what Christ hath done for it, and will do for it, reviving, elevating, and strengthening the soul, and carrying it above it self. It is a wing grace, which whiles the soul is actually possessed of, is thereby carried above it self, above the world, and above Satan.
Faith and joy are the two wings of the soul, which bear it up, both in doing and suffering▪ If either of these be c…ipt, the soul is much hindered thereby, and exposed to many dangers.
Joy, as all other graces of the Spirit, hath different degrees in different times and subjects, and is usually greatest in the greatest sufferers, and sufferings for Christ.
When a man is spoiled in his estate, spoiled in his good name, spoiled in his body, or any thing respecting the preservation or felicity of this life, for his faithfullness to the word and will of Christ; and yet with the good Prophet, Rejoyces in the Lord, and joys in the God of his salvation, Hab. 2.17, 18.then may he be said to suffer joyfully, then may he be said to suffer according to the will of Christ, in this particular.
5. Christ in his Word, calls for courage, in sufferers for his will; the will of Christ is, that he that suffers for a good cause, should not be ashamed dMar. 8.38.of his cause, nor of his sufferings. If any man suffer (as a Christian) let him not be ashamed. e1 Pet. ….16.Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, f2 Tim. 1.8.nor of me his prisoner, saith Paul to Timothy.
The will of Christ is, That he that suffers for his will should not be afraid. g1 Pet. 3.14.If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terrour nor be troubled. Fear them not, saith Christ, thrice in one Chapter.
hMat 10.26.28, 31. Rev. 2.…0.Fear no… them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, Phil. 1.28.
Christ compares his Church iCant. 1.9.to a company of horses in Pharaohs Chariots, which in all probability were the best in Egypt, and like to the war-horse, which the Lord describes to Iob, Job 39. very couragious in the hottest battell. Christ by this metaphor hints unto us, That his will is, that we should be very bold and couragious, in whatsoever we do, or suffer for his sake, and that he expects it at our hands; his will is, that we should be like a company of horses in Pharaohs Chariots, full of spirits and courage, in doing and suffering, and not like a company of Jades in a Dung-Cart, spiritless and unfit to bear any thing, for his sake.
Note.It is Christian-courage that Christ requires in sufferers for his will.
Christian courage,Christian courage. is a grace of the …pirit, whereby a man resolves (through the help and assistance of Jesus Christ) to cleave close to his word and will, and boldly to stand for it, mauger all opposition; and chuses rather to suffer any thing, than omit any thing, or commit any thing, that should derogate from the honour of Christ.
A man doth then declare Christian courage, when he is not ashamed, nor afraid to own a good cause, or appear in it, because of suffering; when he can suffer for the Gospel, or any Ordinance of God, and truly say with the Apostle, k1 Tim. 1.2. Rom. 1.16.Though I suffer these things, neverthel…ss I am not ashamed; I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, nor of the cause of God. And when with the three Children, lDan. 3.18.he slights the torment, and the tormentor; resolving in the strength of Christ, to do his duty, whatsoever he suffer for it, and to cleave close to the word and will of Christ, whether deliverance, or no deliverance arise here; when he is more afraid to displease God than man; when he is more afraid of losing things spiritual and eternal, than of losing things temporal; when he chooses to suffer, rather than sinne; when he endureth the Cross, and despiseth the shame; when he refuseth base deliverance,Thus did the three Children we read of in Daniel, declare their courage. and yeeldeth his body rather than his cause, (his cause being good) into a Tyrants hand.
When a sufferer for a good cause, doth thus declare his courage, he declares it in a high degree, and suffers according to the will of Christ, in this particular.
6. Christ in his Word requires perseverance unto the end▪ in suffering for his will; and it is unto the persevering sufferer, that this great reward of reigning with Christ, is promised;Rom 2.7. Be thou faithfull unto the death, and I will give thee the Crown of mRev. 2.10.life. He nMat. 24.13.that shall endure unto the end▪ the same shall be saved.
Christian perseverance, is a conftant holding out in the Truth to the last breath,Perseverance. in the belief, love, profession, and practice of the Truth.
And this he may be said to do, that doth never totally, nor finally apostatize from the Truth once received.
It is possible, for one that perseveres in suffering, at some time, and in some kind,Not… ▪ and measure, to desist from his former forwardness, through strong temptations and humane frailty; witness Peter, who through fear denied his Master, and forsware him, and yet did after suffer for him.
7. The will of Christ is, That he that suffers for his will wrongfully, should do it for conscience sake, For conscience towards God o1 Pet. 2.19.; conscience of his duty should be the principall motive, inducing him to suffer; I do not say, the only, but the principall motive.
I think it not fit here to define Conscience, and therefore will pass by that.A man may then be said to suffer for conscience towards God, when conscience of his duty, is the thing that puts him upon suffering; when he to avoid sinne, or performe duty, exposes himself to suffering; when he out of scruple in conscience, of the lawfullness, or unlawfullness of a thing, commanded or forbidden by Authority, refuseth it, and chooses rather to suffer in his outward man, than to baffle his conscience, or displease God, by rebelling against lawfull Authority (which is Gods Ordinance;) He that doth thus suffer, doth suffer for conscience towards God, and according to the will of Christ, in this particular.
8. The will of Christ is, That he that suffers for his will, should aim at his Honour and Glory therein; This appeares thus; Whether you eat or drink▪ or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God, saith the Text, 1 Cor. 10.31. That is, do it so that God may have glory thereby, do it aiming at the Honour and Glory of God therein; Hence I argue thus.
If it be the will of Christ, that I should aim at his Honour and Glory in all that I do, then it is the will of Christ, that I should aim at his Honour and Glory, in all that I suffer, for suffering is doing: But it is the will of Christ, that I should aim at his Honour and Glory, in all that I do: Therefore it is the will of Christ, that I should aim at it, in all that I suffer.
A man may then be said to aim at the Honour and Glory of Christ, in suffering, when he makes that his direct, chief and utmost end, in all that he suffers; when he makes the Honour and Glory of Christ, the finall cause of all his sufferings; when he suffers not out of vain glory, but that Christ may be magnified thereby, when a man doth thus suffer for the will of Christ, then doth he suffer according to the will of Christ, in this particular.
9. Finally, the will of Christ is, that he that suffers for his will, shoul… glorifie God, for suffering. If any man suffer, as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorifie God on thi… behalf, 1 Pet. 4.16.
A man doth then glorifie God for suffering. 1. When he boldly and thankfully acknowledges the favour of the Lord towards him, in calling him forth, and enabling him to suffer, for his sake. 2. When he makes his sufferings, the matter of his joy and thanksgiving; when he rejoyces and praises God, that he is counted worthy to suffer in any kind for Christs sake. 3. When he doubles his diligence in duty upon this account; thus did the Apostles glorifie God, for suffering, Phil. 1.29. Act. 5.41, 42.
Art thou then a sufferer; Consider whether thou sufferest as a Christian, yea, or nay? whether thou sufferest for the will of Christ? and whether thou sufferest according to the will of Christ? And if thou canst truly conclude on the affirmative, thou hast good ground to conclude, that thou art one that shall reign with Jesus Christ, in his everlasting kingdome: If ye suffer, ye shall also reign with him; and not only reign with Christ, but reign with him in greater glory: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4.17.
Suffering as a Christian, is a reall testimony of a reall Christian;Note. and suffering as a Christian is a high evidence of Gods speciall love towards a person.
Dost thou then suffer and suffer as a Christian; Thou maist then safely conclude, I shall reign with Christ: Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness; An exceeding, and eternall weight of glory: A kingdome that cannot be shaken; A Crown that cannot be taken; Glory that cannot here enter into my heart to conceive; Glory that cannot be measured; Glory that fadeth not away, but remaineth through all eternity; Glory that cannot enter into me, I shall one day enter into. I now suffer with Christ, and for Christ, I shall one day be glorified with Christ, and by Christ, whatsoever Satan or the world may say to the contrary.