A Christian Library, Chapter 12
CHAP. 12. How it makes them conformable unto Christ their head.
NInthly, that we may be conformable to Christ our head, and like our elder Brother, who was consecrated through afflictions, reviled, buffetted, spit upon, crucified, and what not? For the Scribes were against him, the Pharisees against him, the Rulers banded themselves against him, the Atheists against him, Herod and all the spitefull and envious Iews against him: whose birth was mean, whose life was contemptible, and whose death was ignominious. Yea, his Pallace was a Stable: his Courtiers; Beasts: his Chair of State; a Manger: his Royall robes; a few rags: No Bels ring, no Bonefires proclaim his brith through the populous streets: no great Ladies came to visit his Mother. And answerable to his ingresse into the world; was his progresse in it; and his egresse out of it. And we must suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him, Rom. 8.17. When the Iewes offered Iesus, Gall and Vineger, he tasted it, but would not drink: he left the rest for his Church, and they must pledge him. Whosoever (saith our Saviour) beareth not his crosse, and commeth after me, cannot be my Disciple, Luke 14.27. For hereunto are ye called, saith Saint Peter, For Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps, 1 Peter 2.21. Again, The Disciple (saith Christ) is not above his Master; but whosoever will be a perfect Disciple shall be as his Master, Luke 6.40. Yea, Saint Paul made this the most certain testimony and seal of his Adoption h…re, and glory …fterwards; his words are these, having delivered, that the spirit of God heareth witnesse with our spirits, that we are the children of God: and …ving added, If we be children, we are also heires, even the heirs of God, and heirs annexed with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him; making suffering as a principall condition annexed; which is as if he had said, it is impossible we should be glorified with him, except we first suffer with him, Rom. 8.16, 17. Whereupon having in another place reckoned up all priviledges which might minister unto him occasion of boasting; he concludeth, that what things were gain unto him, those he accounted losse for Christ, that he might know the fellowship of his sufferings, and be made conformable to his death, Phil. 3.10.
So that as he bare his crosse, before he wore his crown, and began to us in the cup of his Fathers displeasure: so we must pledge him our part, and fill up that which is behinde of his sufferings, Colos. 1.24.
Whence the Church (which is mysticall Christ, 1 Cor. 12.12.) is called Gods threshing-floor, Isa. 21.10. A Brand taken out of the fire, Zach. 3.2. compared to Noahs Ark, which was tossed to and fro upon the waves; to Moses Bush burning with fire, Exod. 3.2. to the stones of the Temple, which were first hewn in the Mountain, before set in the building: And set forth by that white Horse in the Revelation; that is ever followed and chased by the Red: Apoc. 6.2, 4. by the sacrifices of the Law, which were to pass the fire, ere accepted, Rom. 12.1.
So that there is no Heaven to be had without touching upon Hell coasts: as the Calendar tels us, we come not to Ascension-day, till the Passion-week be past. Suffering is the way to reigning: Through many tribulations must we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Acts 14.22.
And indeed, who would not be ambitious of the same entertainment, which Christ himself had? Godfrey of Boloigne refused to be crownd in Ierusalem with a Crown of Gold, because Christ his Master had in that place been crowned with a Crown of Thorns. It was told a poor Martyr in Queen Maries dayes for a great favour forsooth; that he should put his leg in the same hole of the Stocks that Iohn Philpot had done before. And yet thy sufferings, as they are nothing to what thy sins have deserved; so they are nothing to what thy Saviour hath suffered: for he endured many a little death all his life long, for thy sake; and at length, that painful and cursed death of the cross. To say nothing of the soul of his sufferings, which his soul then suffered, when he sweat clo…s of blood in the Garden.
Now why must we pledge our Saviour, and sill up the measure of his sufferings? Not, that Christs sufferings are incompleat: nor, to satisfie Gods justice for sin; for, that's done already, once for all; by him who bare our sins in his body on the Tree: the just suffering for the unjust, and indenting for our freedom; as the Articles of Agreement fi…ly and fairly drawn out by himself declare, Iohn 3.15, 16. and 18.8. And Gods Acquittance, which we have to shew under his own hand, Mat. 3.17.
Neither doth God afflict his Church for any delight he takes in their trouble: for he afflicts not willingly, Lament. 3.33. Ier. 31.20. Isa. 63.9. Nor yet to shew his sovereignty, Isai. 45.9. Rom. 9.29, to 24.
Nor, lastly, is it meerly for his own glory, without any other respect: but out of pure necessity, and abundant love to us; as, the Reasons both before and after, shew.
Again, by suffering; we become followers of our Brethren, who went before us. Brethren, (saith Saint Paul) ye are become followers of the Churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Iesus, because ye have also suffered the same things of your own Countrey-men, even as they have of the Iews, 1 Thess. 2.14▪ It was the lot of Christ, and must be of all his followers, to do good, and to suffer evil. Wherefore let us be exhorted in the words of Saint Peter, to rejoyce in suffering, forasmuch as we with all the Saints, are partakers of Christs sufferings, that when his glory shall appear, we may be glad and rejoyce, 1 Pet. 4.13.
And what greater promotion can flesh and blood be capable of, then a conformity to the Lord of glory? Christ wore a Crown of Thorns for me; and shall I grudge to wear this Paper-cap for him? said Iohn Husse, when they put a Cap upon him that had ugly Devils painted on it, with the Title of Heresie. Never did Neck-kerchief become me so well as this Chain (said Alice Drivers) when they fastened her to the Stake to be burnt. And what said a French Martyr, when a Rope was pur about his fellow? Give me that Gold Chain, and dub me a Knight of that Noble Order.