The Drinking of the Bitter Cup, Title page – Dedication
THE DRINKING OF THE BITTER CUP: OR, THE HARDEST LESSON. IN CHRIST's School, Learned and Taught by Himſelf, Paſsive Obedience.
WHEREIN, Beſides divers Doctrinall Truths of great Importance, many Practicall Directions are held forth, for the teaching of Chriſtians how to ſubmit to their Heavenly Father in ſuffering his Will, both in Life and Death, Patiently, Obediently, Willingly.
As it was lately preſented to the Church of GOD at Great YARMOƲTH, By JOHN BRINSLEY, Miniſter of the Goſpel there.
Heb. 5.8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he Obedience by the things which he ſuffered.
1 Pet. 2.21. Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an Example that we ſhould follow his ſteps.
LONDON, Printed by E. C. for Joſeph Cranford at the Caſtle and Lyon in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1660.
Mr. BRINSLEY of Paſsive Obedience.
To all his Near and Dear RELATIONS, Natural and Spiritual, within the TOWN of Great YARMOƲTH, or elſewhere; Grace and Peace.
Much affected in the Lord,
NOT having a better Legacy to leave you, I doe here preſent you with a Cup, your Saviours Cup, which having himſelf drunk, he hath left it for you to pledge him in. A thing which ſooner or later, in ſome kinde or other, you muſt all make account to doe, meeting with many Croſſes and Conflicts here upon Earth, and at length be brought under the power of that laſt Enemy, Death. Now that you may learn ſo to drink this Cup as your bleſſed Pattern did, ſubmitting to your Heavenly Father, in ſuffering his Will, Patiently, Obediently, Willingly, is the Deſign of this Treatiſe. Wherein you ſhall meet with many uſefull and needfull Directions tending to this end. Theſe I ſhall deſire you carefully to lay up in the Cloſet of your Souls, that you may have them at hand to make uſe of, as Providence ſhall offer occaſion. Which that they may be bleſſed to my ſelfe and you, and through Grace made effectuall for the purpoſe to which they are deſigned, is and ſhall be the Earneſt Prayer of him who is
Yarmouth, Anno 1659. M. 2. D. 23. Yours in the beſt and neareſt Relation, John Brinſley.