The Beatitudes, Discourse · Chapter 21

The Beatitudes · Discourse · Chapter 21

p. 347MATTH. 5.10.

Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted for righteouſneſs ſake, for theirs is the Kingdome of heaven.

CHAP. XXI.

Concerning Perſecution.

WE are now come to the laſt Beatitude, Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted, &c. Our Lord Chriſt would have us reckon the coſt: Luke 14.27, 28. Which of you intending to build a Tower, ſitteth not down firſt, and counteth the coſt, whether he have enough to finiſh it? &c. Religion will coſt us the tears of Repentance, and the blood of perſecution; but we ſee here a great encouragement that may keep us from fainting in the day of p. 348adverſity; for the preſent bleſſed, for the future crowned.

The words fall into two general parts.

1. The condition of the godly in this life, They are perſecuted.

2. Their reward after this life, Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

I ſhall ſpeak chiefly of the firſt, and wind in the other in the Applicatory.

Doctr. Doctr. The obſervation is, that true godlineſs is uſually attended with perſecution. Acts 14.22. We muſt through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. Acts 13.50. The Jewes ſtirred up the chief men of the City, and raiſed perſecution againſt Paul, &c. Luther makes it the very definition of a Chriſtian, Chriſtianus quaſi crucianus; though Chriſt dyed to take away the Curſe from us, yet not to take away the Croſs from us: Thoſe ſtones which are cut out for a Building, are firſt under the Saw and Hammer to be hewed and ſquared; the godly are called lively ſtones, 1 Pet. 2.5. And they muſt be hewen and poliſhed by the Perſecutors hand, that they may be fit for the heavenly building; the Saints have no Charter of exemption from tryals; though they be never ſo meek, merciful, pure in heart, their piety will not ſhield them from ſufferings; they muſt hang their harp on the willows, and take the Croſs; the way to heaven is via ſpinoſa, & ſanguinea; though it be full of Roſes in regard of the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt, yet it is full of thorns in regard of perſecutions. Before Iſrael got to Canaan, a Land flowing with milk and honey, they muſt go through a Wilderneſs of ſerpents, and a red Sea: So the children of God in their paſſage to the holy Land, muſt meet with fiery Serpents, and a red Sea of perſecution. It is a ſaying of Ambroſe, there is no Abel p. 349but hath his Cain: Saint Paul fought with Beaſts at Epheſus, 1 Cor. 15.32. Set it down as a Maxim, if you will follow Chriſt, you muſt ſee the Swords and Staves; put the Croſs in your Creed. For the amplification of this, there are ſeveral things we are to take cognizance of.

1. What is meant by perſecution.

2. The ſeveral kinds of perſecution.

3. Why there muſt be perſecution.

4. The chief perſecutions are raiſed againſt the Miniſters of Chriſt.

5. What that perſecution is which makes a man bleſſed.

SECT. 1.

Shewing what is meant by perſecution.

1. WHAT is meant by perſecution? the Greek word foreign, to perſecute, ſignifies to vex and moleſt, ſometimes to proſecute another, to arraign him at the Bar, and to purſue him to the death; a perſecutor is a pricking bryar **Ezek. 28.24.Ezek 28:24, therefore the Church is deſcribed to be a Lilly among thorns, Cant. 2.2.

SECT. 2.

Setting forth the ſeveral kinds of perſecution.

2. WHAT are the ſeveral kinds of perſecution? There is a two-fold perſecution.

p. 350A perſecution of the hand.

A perſecution of the tongue.

1. A perſecution of the hand. Acts 7.52. Which of the Prophets have not your fathers perſecuted? Rom. 8.36. For thy ſake are we killed all the day long, Gal. 4.29. This I call a bloody perſecution, when the people of God are proſecuted with fire and ſword: So we read of the ten perſecutions in the time of Nero Domitian, Trajan, &c. And the Marian perſecution; England for five years drank a Cup of blood; and lately Piedmont, and the confines of Bohemia have been ſcourged to death with the Rod of the Perſecutor; Gods Church hath alwayes like Abrahams Ram, been tyed in a Buſh of thorns.

2. The perſecution of the tongue, which is two-fold.

1. Reviling; this few think of, or lay to heart; but it is called in the Text perſecution; when men ſhall revile and perſecute you; this is tongue-perſecution. Pſal. 55.21. His words were drawn ſwords. You may kill a man as well in his name, as in his perſon; a good name is as precious oyntment, Eccleſ. 7.21. A good conſcience and a good name, is like a gold Ring ſet with a rich Diamond. Now to ſmite another in his name, is by our Saviour called perſecution: Thus the Primitive Chriſtians endured the perſecution of the tongue. Hebr. 11.36. They had trial of cruel mockings. David was the ſong of the Drunkards, Pſal. 69.12. They would ſit on their Ale-bench, and jeer at him; how frequently do the wicked caſt out the Squibs of reproach at Gods children, Theſe are the holy ones! little do they think what they do; they are now doing Cains work and Julians, they are perſecuting.

p. 3512. Slandering; ſo it is in the Text, When they ſhall perſecute you, and ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſly. Slandering is tongue-perſecution; thus Saint Paul was ſlandered in his Doctrine; it was reported he ſhould preach, Men might do evil that good might come of it, Rom. 3.8. Thus Chriſt who did caſt out Divels, was charged to have a Divel, John 8.48. The Primitive Chriſtians were falſly accuſed for killing their children, and for inceſt**Te…tul. Apol.. Pſal. 35.11. They laid to my charge things that I knew not.

Let us take heed of becoming perſecutors: Some think there is no perſecution but fire and ſword; yes, there is the perſecution of the tongue; there are many of theſe perſecutors now adayes, who by a Divelliſh Chymiſtry can turn gold into dung, the precious names of Gods Saints into reproach and diſgrace. There have been many puniſhed for clipping of Coyne; of how much ſorer puniſhment ſhall they be thought worthy, who clip the names of Gods people to make them weigh lighter.

SECT. 3.

Declaring the cauſes of perſecution.

3. WHY there muſt be perſecution.

I anſwer for two Reaſons.

1. In regard of God.

1. His Decree.

2. His Deſign.

1. Gods Decree; 1 Theſ. 3.3. foreign, We p. 352are appointed thereunto: Whoever brings the ſuffering, God ſends it; God did bid Shimei curſe; Shimeie's tongue was the Arrow, but it was God that did ſhoot it.

2. Gods Deſign; God hath a twofold deſign in the perſecutions of his children.

1. Trial; Dan. 12.10. Many ſhall be tryed: Perſecution is the touch-ſtone of ſincerity; it diſcovers true Saints from hypocrites; unſound hearts pretend fair in proſperity, but in a time of perſecution fall away; Mat. 13.20, 21. Hypocrites cannot ſail in ſtormy weather; they will follow Chriſt to Mount Olivet, but not to Mount Calvary; like green Timber, they ſhrink in the ſcorching Sun of perſecution; if trouble ariſeth, hypocrites will rather make Demas his choice, than Moſes his choice; they will prefer thirty pieces of ſilver before Chriſt; God will have perſecutions in the world to make a diſcovery of men; ſuffering times are ſifting times: Job 23.10. When I am tried, I ſhall come forth as gold. Job had a Furnace-faith; a Chriſtian of the right breed (who is born of God) whatever he loſeth, will hold faſt his integrity, Job 2.3. Chriſts true Diſciples will follow him upon the water.

2. Purity; God lets his children be in the Furnace, that they may be partakers of his holineſs, Hebr. 12.10. The Croſs is phyſick, it purgeth out pride, impatience, love of the world; God waſheth his people in bloody waters, to get out their ſpots, and make them look white, Dan. 12.10. I am black, but comely, Cant. 1.5. The torrid zone of perſecution made the Spouſes skin black, but her ſoul fair; ſee how differently afflictions work upon the wicked and godly; they make the one worſe, the other better. Take a cloth that is rotten, if you ſcowre and rub it, it frets and tears; but if you ſcowre a piece of p. 353Plate, it looks brighter. When afflictions are upon the wicked, they fret againſt God, and tear themſelves in impatience; but when the godly are ſcowred by theſe, they look brighter.

2. There will be perſecutions in regard of the enemies of the Church; theſe Vultures prey upon Gods Turtles: The Church hath two ſorts of enemies.

1. Open enemies; the wicked hate the godly; there is enmity between the ſeed of the woman and the ſerpent, Gen. 3.15. As in nature there is an antypathy between the Vine and the Bay-tree**Vitis laurum non am…t neque ejus odorem; ſi prope creſcat, enecat.; the Elephant and the Dragon. Vultures have an an antipathy againſt ſweet ſmells; ſo in the wicked there is an antipathy againſt the people of God, they hate the ſweet perfumes of their graces; it is true, the Saints have their infirmities; but the wicked do not hate them for theſe, but for their holineſs; and from this hatred ariſeth open violence; the Thief hates the light, therefore would blow it out.

2. Secret enemies; who pretend friendſhip, but ſecretly raiſe perſecutions againſt the godly; ſuch are hypocrites and hereticks. Saint Paul calls them falſe Brethren, 1 Cor. 11.26. The Church complains that her own ſons had vexed her, Cant. 1.6. That is, thoſe who had been bred up in her boſome, and pretended Religion and ſympathy, theſe falſe friends vexed her; the Churches enemies are them of her own houſe; ſuch as are open pretenders, but ſecret oppoſers of the faith, are ever worſt. A wen ſeems to be a part of the body, but is indeed an enemy to it, it doth disfigure and endanger it; they are the vileſt and baſeſt of men, who hang forth Chriſts colours, yet fight againſt him.

p. 354SECT. 4.

Shewing that the keeneſt edge of perſecution is turned againſt the Ministers.

44. THE fourth particular is, That the chief perſecutions are raiſed againſt the Miniſters; our Lord Chriſt turns himſelf directly to the Apoſtles, whom he was ready to commiſſionate, and ſend abroad to preach; Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall perſecute you, Ver. 11. So perſecuted they the Prophets before you, Ver. 12. Take my Brethren the Prophets for an example of ſuffering affliction, Jam. 5.10. No ſooner is any man a Miniſter, but he is a piece of a Martyr. The Miniſters of Chriſt are his choſen Veſſels; now as the beſt Veſſel of gold and ſilver paſſeth through the fire, ſo Gods choſen Veſſels paſs often through the fire of perſecution: All times are not like the ſilver Age wherein Conſtantine lived; he was an honourer of the Miniſtry; he would not ſit down in the Council of Nice, till the Biſhops who were convened there, did come and beſeech him; he would ſay, if he ſaw an infirmity in the Clergy, ſuâ Purpurâ velaret, he would cover it with his own Purple Robe. Miniſters muſt not alwayes look for ſuch ſhines of the Princes favour, they muſt expect an Alarum. Peter a famous Preacher, who knew how to caſt the Net on the right ſide of the ſhip; at one Sermon he converted three thouſand ſouls, yet neither the Divinity of his Doctrine, nor the Sanctity of his life could exempt him from perſecution. John 21.18. When thou ſhalt be old, another ſhall gird thee, and carry thee whether thou wouldeſt not; it alludes to hi… ſuffering death for Chriſt; he was (ſaith Euſebius) bound with chains, and afterwards crucified at Hieruſalem with p. 355his head downwards. Saint Paul a holy man, who is ſteeled with courage, fired with zeal, aſſoon as he entred into the Miniſtry, bonds and perſecutions did abide him, Acts 9.15, 16. He was made up of ſufferings, 2 Tim. 4.6. I am ready to be offered up; he alludes to the drink-offerings, wherein the wine or blood uſed in Sacrifice was poured out, thereby intimating by what manner of death he ſhould glorifie God; not by being ſacrificed in the fire, but by pouring out his blood, which was when he was beheaded; and that it might ſeem no ſtrange thing for Gods Miniſters to be under the heat and rage of perſecution, Stephen puts the queſtion, Acts 7.52. Which of the Prophets have not your fathers perſecuted? Ignatius was torn with wild beaſts; Cyprian, Polycarp Martyr'd†:**Praedicare nihil aliud eſt quam derivare in ſe furorem mundi. Luther. Maximinus the Emperour (as Euſebius relates) gave charge to his Officers to put none to death, but foreign, the Governours and Paſtors of the Church.

The Reaſons why the ſtorm of perſecution hath chiefly fallen upon the Miniſters, are:

1. They have their corruptions as well as others; and leaſt they ſhould be lifted up through the abundance of Revelation, God lets looſe ſome Meſsenger of Satan to vex and perſecute them. God ſees they have need of the flaile to threſh off their Husks; the fire God puts them into, is not to conſume, but refine them.

2. The Miniſters are Chriſts anteſignani, his Enſigne-bearers to carry his colours; they are the Captains of the Lords Hoſt, therefore are moſt ſhot at. Phil. 1.17. I am ſet for the defence of the Goſpel. The Greek word foreign, alludes to a Souldier that is ſet in the fore-front of the Battel, and hath all the Bullets flying about his ears. The Miniſters work is to preach againſt mens p. 356ſins, which are as dear to them as their right eye, and they cannot endure this. Every mans ſin is his King, to which he yields love and ſubjection; now as Pilot ſaid, Shall I crucifie your King? men will not endure to have their King-ſin crucified; this therefore being the work of the Miniſtry to divide between men and their luſts, to part theſe two old friends, no wonder it meets with ſo much oppoſition. When Paul preached againſt Diana, all the City was in an uproar: We preach againſt mens Diana's, thoſe ſins which bring them in pleaſure and profit, this cauſeth an uproar.

3. From the malice of Satan: The Miniſters of Chriſt come to deſtroy his Kingdom, therefore the old Serpent will ſpit all his venome at them; if we tread upon the Divels head, he will bite us by the heel; the Devil ſets up ſeveral Forts and Garriſons in mens hearts, pride, ignorance, unbelief; now the weapons of the Miniſtry beat down theſe ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 10.4. therefore Satan raiſeth his Militia, all the force and power of hell againſt the Miniſtry: The Kingdom of Satan is a Kingdom of darkneſs, Acts 26.18. Revel. 16.10. And Gods Miniſters are called the lights of the world, Matth. 5.14. They come to enlighten thoſe that fit in darkneſs, this enrageth Satan; therefore he labours to eclipſe the lights, to pull down the ſtars, that his Kingdom of darkneſs may prevail; the Divel is call'd a Lyon, 1 Pet. 5.8. The ſouls of people are the Lyons prey, the Miniſters work is to take away the prey from this Lyon; therefore how will he roar upon them, and ſeek to deſtroy them!

Uſe 1 Uſe 1. It ſhews us what a work the Miniſtry is; though full of dignity, yet full of danger; the perſecution of the tongue is the moſt gentle perſecution can be expected; 'tis not poſſible (ſaith Luther) to be a faithful Preacher, and not meet with trials and oppoſitions.

p. 357Uſe 2. It ſhews the corruption of mens nature ſince Uſe 2 the fall, they are their own enemies, they perſecute thoſe who come to do them moſt good. What is the work of the Miniſtry but to ſave mens ſouls? to pull them as brands out of the fire; yet they are angry at this. We hate not the Phyſitian who brings ſuch phyſick as makes us ſick, becauſe it is to make us well; nor the Chyrurgion, who lanceth the fleſh, becauſe it is in order to a cure; Why then ſhould we quarrel with the Miniſter? What is our work but to bring men to heaven? 2 Cor. 5.20. We are Embaſſadors for Chriſt, &c. foreign, We would have a peace made up between you and God; yet this is the folly of depraved nature, to requite evil for good. Ariſtoxenus did uſe to moiſten his flowers with wine, honey, and perfumes, that they might not only ſmell more fragrantly, but put forth more vigorouſly: So ſhould we do with our Miniſters, give them wine and honey, encourage them in their work, that they might act more vigorouſly; but inſtead of this, we give them gall and vineger to drink, we hate and perſecute them. Moſt deal with their Miniſters, as Iſrael did with Moſes; he prayed for them, and wrought miracles for them, yet they were ſtill quarrelling with him, and ſometimes ready to take away his life.

Uſe 3. If the fury of the world be againſt the Miniſters, Uſe 3 then you that fear God had need pray much for them. 2 Theſ. 3.2. Pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free courſe, and that we may be delivered from unreaſonable and wicked men. People ſhould pray for their Miniſters, that God would give them the wiſdom of the Serpent, that they may not betray themſelves to danger by indiſcretion; and the boldneſs of the Lyon, that they may not betray the truth by fear.

p. 358SECT. 5.

Shewing what that perſecution is which makes one bleſsed.

55. THE next thing to be explained, is, What that ſuffering perſecution is which makes a man bleſſed.

11. I ſhall ſhew what that ſuffering is which will not make us bleſſed.

1. That ſuffering is not reckoned for Martyrdom, when we pull a croſs upon our ſelves, there is little comfort in ſuch ſuffering. Auſtin ſpeaks of ſome in his time that were called Circumcelliones, who out of an itch (rather than zeal) of Martyrdom, would run themſelves into ſufferings; theſe were acceſſory to their own death; like Saul, who fell upon hi… own ſword; we are bound by all lawful means to preſerve our own lives. Jeſus Chriſt did not ſuffer till he was called to it; ſuſpect that to be a tentation which bids us caſt our ſelves down into ſufferings; when men through precipitancy and raſhneſs run themſelves into trouble, it is a croſs of their own making, and not of Gods laying upon them.

2. That is not to be accounted Martyrdom, when we ſuffer for our offences, 1 Pet. 4.15. Let none of you ſuffer as an evil doer. Luke 23.41. We indeed ſuffer juſtly. I am not of Cyprians mind, that the Thief on the Croſs ſuffered as a Martyr; no, he ſuffered as an evil doer; Chriſt indeed took pity on him, and ſaved him; he dyed a Saint, but not a Martyr. When men ſuffer by the hand of the Magiſtrate for their uncleanneſs, blaſphemies, &c. theſe do not ſuffer perſecution, but execution; they dye not as Martyrs, but Malefactors; they ſuffer evil, for being evil.

p. 3593. That ſuffering will not make men bleſſed, when they ſuffer out of ſiniſter reſpects, to be cried up as the head of a Party, or to keep up a Faction. The Apoſtle implies that a man may give his body to be burned, yet go to hell, 1 Cor. 13.3. Ambitions men may ſacrifice their lives to purchaſe ſame; theſe are the Divels Martyrs.

— Vicit amor Patriae laudiſque immenſa cupido.

2. What that ſuffering perſecution is which will make 2us bleſſed, and ſhall wear the Crown of Martyrdom.

Anſw. 1. When we ſuffer in a good cauſe; ſo it is in the Text, Bleſsed are they which ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake; 'tis the cauſe that makes a Martyr**Cauſa non poena facit Martyrem.: When we ſuffer for the truth, and eſpouſe the quarrel of Religion, this is to ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake. Acts 28.20. For the hope of Iſrael I am bound with this chain.

2. When we ſuffer with a good conſcience: A man may have a good cauſe, and a bad conſcience; he may ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, yet he himſelf be unrighteous. Saint Paul, as he had a juſt cauſe, ſo he had a pure conſcience. Acts 23.1. I have lived in all good conſcience to this day. Paul kept a good conſcience to his dying day; a good conſcience will make a man ſuffer with comfort, it hath made the Saints go as chearfully to the ſtake, as if they had been going to a Crown; look to it, that there be no flaw in conſcience. A ſhip that is to ſail upon the waters, muſt be preſerved from leaking; when Chriſtians are to ſail on the waters of perſecution, let them take heed there be no leak of guilt in their conſcience; he who ſuffers (though it be in Gods own cauſe) with a bad conſcience, ſuffers two hells; an hell of perſecution, and an hell of damnation.

p. 3603. When we have a good call. Matth. 10.18. When ye ſhall be brought before Kings, &c. There is no queſtion but a man may ſo far conſult for his ſafety, that if God by his Providence open a door, he may flie in time of perſecution, Matth. 10.23. But when he is brought before Kings, and the caſe is ſuch, that either he muſt ſuffer, or the truth muſt ſuffer; here is a clear call to ſuffering, and this is reckon'd for Martyrdom.

4. When we have good ends in our ſuffering; viz. that we may glorifie God, ſet a ſeal to the truth, ſhew our love to Chriſt. Matth. 10.18. When you ſhall be brought before Kings for my ſake. The Primitive Chriſtians did burn more in love than in fire; when we look at God in our ſufferings, and are willing to make his Crown flouriſh, though it be in our aſhes, this is that ſuffering which carries away the Garland of glory.

5. When we ſuffer as Chriſtians. 1 Pet. 4.16. If any man ſuffer as a Christian, let him not be aſhamed: To ſuffer as a Chriſtian, is to ſuffer with ſuch a Spirit as becomes a Chriſtian, which is,

1. When we ſuffer with patience. Jam. 5.10. Take my Brethren the Prophets for an example of ſuffering affliction, and of patience. A Chriſtian muſt not repine, but ſay, Shall I not drink the cup of Martyrdom which my Father hath given me? There ſhould be ſuch a ſpirit of meekneſs in a Chriſtians ſuffering, that it ſhould be hard to ſay which is greater, his perſecution or his patience. When Job had loſt all, he kept the breaſt-plate of innocency, and the ſhield of patience; an impatient Martyr is a Soleciſm.

2. To ſuffer as Chriſtians, is, when we ſuffer with courage. Courage is a Chriſtians Armour of proof, it ſteels and animates him. The three children (or rather the three Champions) were of brave heroick ſpirits; they p. 361do not ſay to the King we ought not ſerve thy gods, but we will not: Dan. 3.18. Neither Nebuchadnezzars Muſick, nor his Furnace could alter their reſolution. Tertullian was called an Adamant for his invincible courage: Holy courage makes us (as one of the Fathers ſaith) edomita fronte ad Crucis opprobrium, have ſuch faces of braſs, that we are not aſhamed of the Croſs; this is to ſuffer as Chriſtians, when we are meek, yet reſolute. The more the fire is blown, the more it flames; ſo it is with a brave-ſpirited Chriſtian; the more oppoſition he meets with the more his zeal and courage flames forth: What a ſpirit of gallantry was in Luther, who writing to Melancthon, If ſaith he it be not the cauſe of God, we are imbarked in, let us deſert it; if it be his cauſe, and will bear us out, why do we not ſtand to it**Si piam & juſtam cauſam defendimus cur Dei promiſſis non confidimus??

3. To ſuffer as Chriſtians, is to ſuffer with chearfulneſs. Patience is a bearing the Croſs, chearfulneſs is a taking up the Croſs. Chriſt ſuffered for us chearfully, his death was a free-will offering; Luke 12.50.**Sanguinem ſuum patri obtulet tanquam ſacrificium foreign.. He thirſted to drink of that cup of blood; ſuch muſt our ſufferings be for Chriſt; Chearfulneſs perfumes Martyrdom, and makes it the ſacrifice of a ſweet-ſmelling ſavour to God. Thus Moſes ſuffered chearfully, Hebr. 11.24, 25. Moſes when he was come to years, choſe rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon. Obſerve,

1. When he was come to years; it was no childiſh act, it was not in his non-age, but when he was of years of diſcretion.

2. He choſe to ſuffer affliction; ſuffering was not ſo much his task, as his choice; the Croſs was not ſo much impoſed, as embraced; this is to ſuffer as Chriſtians, when we are Volunteers, we take up the Croſs chearfully, nay, joyfully; Acts 5.41. They departed from the p. 362preſence of the Council, rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his Name: Or as it is more emphatical in the Original, foreign, they rejoyced that they were ſo far graced, as to be diſgraced for the Name of Chriſt. Tertullian ſaith of the Primitive Chriſtians, they took more comfort in their ſufferings, than in their deliverance**Magis damnati quam abſoluti gaudentes. Tert. Apol.: And indeed well may a Chriſtian be joyful in ſuffering**2 Cor. 4.7.2 Cor 4:7, becauſe it is a great favour when God honours a man to be a witneſs to the truth. Chriſts marks in Saint Pauls body, were prints of glory**foreign. Chryſ.; the Saints have worn their ſufferings as ornaments. Ignatius his chains were his jewels; never have any Princes been ſo famous for their Victories, as the Martyrs for their ſufferings.

4. We ſuffer as Chriſtians; when we ſuffer and pray. Matth. 5.44. Pray for them which deſpightfully uſe you and perſecute you.

There are two Reaſons why we ſhould pray for our perſecutors.

1. Becauſe our prayers may be a means to convert them. Stephen prayed for his perſecutors, Acts 7.60. Lord, lay not this ſin to their charge; and this prayer was effectual to ſome of their converſions. Auſtin ſaith, the Church of God was beholding to Stephens prayer for all that benefit which was reaped by Pauls Miniſtry.

2. We ſhould pray for our perſecutors, becauſe they do us good, though againſt their will; they ſhall encreaſe our reward; every reproach ſhall adde to our glory; every injury ſhall ſerve to make our Crown heavier; as Gregory Nazianzene ſpeaks in one of his Orations, Every ſtone which was thrown at Stephen, was a precious ſtone, which enriched him, and made him ſhine brighter in the Kingdom of heaven. Thus I have ſhewn what that ſuffering is which makes us bleſſed, and ſhall wear the Crown of Martyrdom.

p. 363SECT. 6.

Inferences drawn from the Propoſition.

1. IT ſhews us what the nature of Chriſtianity is, viz. Uſe 1 Sanctity joyned with ſuffering;Inform. a true Saint carries Chriſt in his heart, and the Croſs on his ſhoulders. 2 Tim. Branch. 1 3.12. All that will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus, ſhall ſuffer perſecution. Chriſt and his Croſs are never parted; 'tis too much for a Chriſtian to have two heavens; one here, and another hereafter**Delicatus nimis es ſi & hic vis gaudere cum ſaeculo, & poſtea regnare cum Chriſto. Hier.. Chriſts Kingdom on earth, is Regnum Crucis: What is the meaning of the ſhield of faith, the helmet of hope, the breaſt-plate of patience? but to imply that we muſt encounter with ſufferings. It is one of the titles given to the Church, Afflicted, Iſa. 54.11. Perſecution is the Legacy bequeathed by Chriſt to his people. John 16. ult. In the world foreign, ye ſhall have tribulation. Chriſts Spouſe is a lilly among thorns. Chriſts ſheep muſt expect to loſe their golden Fleece; this the fleſh doth not like to hear of; therefore Chriſt calls perſecution the Croſs, Matth. 16.24. Becauſe it is croſs to fleſh and blood; we are all for reigning. Acts 1.7. When wilt thou reſtore the Kingdom again to Iſrael? But the Apoſtle tells us of ſuffering before reigning. 2 Tim. 2.12. If we ſuffer, we ſhall reign with him. How loth is corrupt fleſh to put its neck under Chriſts yoke, or ſtretch it ſelf upon the Croſs! but Religion gives no Charter of exemption from ſuffering; to have two heavens, is more than Chriſt had. Was the head crowned with Thorns, and do we think to be crowned with Roſes? 1 Pet. 4.12. Think it not ſtrange concerning the fiery trial. If we are Gods gold, it is not ſtrange to be caſt into the fire. Some there are that picture Eraſmus p. 364half in heaven, and half out: Methinks it repreſents a Chriſtian in this life; in regard of his inward conſolation he is half in heaven, in regard of his outward perſecution he is half in hell.

Branch. 2 2. See hence that perſecutions are not ſigns of Gods anger, or fruits of the curſe; for bleſſed are they that are perſecuted: If they are bleſſed who dye in the Lord, Are not they bleſſed who dye for the Lord? We are very apt to judge them hated and forſaken of God, who are in a ſuffering condition. Matth. 26.40. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Croſs. The Jewes made a queſtion of it, they could hardly believe Chriſt was the Son of God when he hung upon the Croſs: Would God let him be reproached and forſaken if he were the Son of God? When the Barbarians ſaw the Viper on Pauls hand, they thought he was a great ſinner. Acts 28.4. No doubt this man is a Murtherer: So when we ſee the people of God afflicted, and the Viper of perſecution faſtens on them, we are apt to ſay, Theſe are greater ſinners than others, and God doth not love them; this is for want of judgement: Bleſsed are they that are perſecuted. Perſecutions are pledges of Gods love, badges of honour, Hebr. 12.7. In the ſharpeſt trial there is the ſweeteſt comfort; Gods fanning his wheat is but to make it purer.

SECT. 7.

Containing a ſharp reproof.

Uſe 2 1. IT reproves ſuch as would be thought good Chriſtians, Reproof. Branch 1 but will not ſuffer perſecution for Chriſts ſake; their care is not to take up the Croſs, but to avoid the p. 365Croſs: Matth. 13.21. When perſecution ariſeth becauſe of the Word, by and by he is offended. There are many profeſſors who ſpeak Chriſt fair, but will ſuffer nothing for him; theſe may be compared to the chryſtal which looks like pearle, till it comes to the hammering, then it breaks; many when they ſee the Palme-branches and garments ſpread, cry Hoſanna to Chriſt; but if the Swords and Staves appear, then they flink away; as King Henry the fourth, then of Navar, told Beza, who urging him to engage himſelf in the Proteſtant Religion, ſaid, he would not launch out too far into the deep, but that if a ſtorm ſhould ariſe, he might retreat back to ſhore: 'Tis to be feared there are ſome among us, who if perſecutions ſhould come, would rather make Demas his choice, than Moſes his choice; and would ſtudy rather to keep their skin whole, than their conſcience pure. Eraſmus highly extolled Luthers Doctrine; but when the Emperour threatned all that ſhould favour Luthers cauſe, he unworthily deſerted it. Hypocrites will ſooner renounce their Baptiſme, than take up the Croſs; if ever we would ſhew our ſelves Chriſtians to purpoſe, we muſt with Peter, throw our ſelves upon the water to come to Chriſt. He that refuſeth to ſuffer, let him read over that ſad Scripture, Matth. 10.33. Whoſoever ſhall deny me before men, him will I alſo deny before my Father which is in heaven.

2. It reproves them who are the oppoſers and perſecutors Branch 2 of the Saints; how great is their ſin? they reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt. Acts 7.51, 52. Ye do alwayes reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt; which of the Prophets have not your Fathers perſecuted? Perſecutors offer affront to Chriſt in heaven, they tread his jewels in the duſt, touch the apple of his eye, pierce his ſides. Acts 9.4, 5. Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? When the foot was trodden on, the head cried out; as the ſin is great, ſo the puniſhment p. 366ſhall be proportionable. Rev. 16.6. They have ſhed the blood of Saints and Prophets, and thou haſt given them blood to drink, for they are worthy. Will not Chriſt avenge thoſe who dye in his quarrel? what is the end of perſecutors? Diocleſian proclaimed that the Chriſtian Churches and Temples ſhould be razed down, their Bibles burned; he would not permit any man that was a Chriſtian to hold an office; ſome of the Chriſtians he caſt alive into boyling lead, others had their hands and lips cut off, only they had their eyes left, that they might behold the tragedy of their own miſeries, what was the end of this man? he ran mad, and poyſoned himſelf. Felix Captain to Emperour Charles the fifth, being at Supper at Auſpurg, vowed he would ride up to the ſpurs in the blood of the Lutherans; a flux of blood came up that night into his throat, wherewith he was choaked; it were eaſie to tell how Gods hand hath ſo viſibly gone out againſt Perſecutors, that they might read their ſin in their puniſhment.

SECT. 8.

That Chriſtians ſhould poſseſs themſelves before hand with thoughts of ſuffering.

Uſe 3 1. LET it exhort Chriſtians to think before hand, and make account of ſufferings;Exhort. this reckoning before hand can do us no hurt, it may do us much good.

1. The fore-thoughts of ſuffering will make a Chriſtian very ſerious; the heart is apt to be feathery and frothy, the thoughts of ſuffering perſecution would conſolidate it; Why am I thus light? Is this a poſture fit p. 367for perſecution? Chriſtians grow ſerious in the caſting up their ſpiritual accounts, they reckon what Religion muſt coſt them, and may coſt them; it muſt coſt them the blood of their ſins, it may coſt them the blood of their lives.

2. The fore-thoughts of perſecution will be as ſawce to ſeaſon our delights, that we do not ſurfeit upon them. How ſoon may there be an Alarum ſounded? how ſoon may the clouds drop blood? the thoughts of this would take off the heart from the immoderate love of the creature. Our Saviour at a great Feaſt breaks out into mention of his death; Mark 14.3. She hath prepared this againſt my Burial: So the fore-thoughts of a change would be an excellent antidote againſt a ſurfeit.

3. The fore-thoughts of ſufferings would make them lighter when they come**Levius laedunt praeviſa mala. Grotius.; the ſuddenneſs of an evil addes to the ſadneſs; this was ill news to the fool in the Goſpel, (who reckoned without his Hoſt) Hac nocte, This night ſhall thy ſoul be required of thee. This will be an aggravation of Babylons miſeries, Rev. 18.8. Her plagues ſhall come in one day; not that Antichriſt ſhall be deſtroyed in a day, but (in a day) that is, ſuddenly; the blow ſhall come unawares, when he doth not think of it; the reckoning before hand of ſuffering, doth alleviate and take off the edge of it when it comes; therefore Chriſt to lighten the Croſs, ſtill fore-warms his Diſciples of ſufferings, that they might not come unlooked for, Joh. 16.33. Acts 1.7.

4. Fore-thoughts of perſecution would put us in mind of getting our Armour ready; 'tis dangerous as well as imprudent, to have all to ſeek when the trial comes; as if a Souldier ſhould have his weapons to get when the enemy is in the Field. Caeſar ſeeing a Souldier whetting his ſword when he was juſt going to fight, caſhier'd him; he p. 368that reckons upon perſecution, will be in a ready poſture for it; he will have the Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit ready, that he may not be ſurprized unawares.

2. Let us prepare for perſecution; a wiſe Pilot in a calm will prepare for a ſtorm. God knows how ſoon perſecution may come, there ſeems to be a cloud of blood hanging over the Nation.

SECT. 9.

Shewing how we may be armed for ſufferings.

Queſt. HOW ſhall we prepare for ſufferings?

Anſw. Do three things.

1. Be perſons rightly qualified for ſuffering.

2. Avoide thoſe things which will hinder ſuffering.

3. Promote all helps to ſuffering.

11. Labour to be perſons rightly qualified for ſuffering; Be righteous perſons; that man who would ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, muſt himſelf be righteous; I mean Evangelically righteous; in particular I call him righteous,

1. Who breaths after ſanctity, Pſal. 119.5. Though ſin cleaves to his heart, yet his heart doth not cleave to ſin; though ſin hath an alliance, yet no allowance. Rom. 7.15. What I do I allow not! a good man hates that ſin to which Satan doth moſt tempt, and his heart moſt incline, Pſal. 119.128.

2. A righteous perſon is one who makes Gods glory p. 369his Center; the glory of God is more worth than the ſalvation of all mens ſoul. He who is divinely qualified, is ſo zealouſly ambitious of Gods glory, that he cares not what he loſeth, ſo God may be a gainer; he prefers the glory of God before credit, eſtate, relations. It was the ſpeech of Kiliaz that bleſſed Martyr, Had I all the gold in the world to diſpoſe of, I would give it to live with my relations, (though in priſon) yet Jeſus Chriſt is dearer to me than all.

3. A righteous perſon is one who values the jewel of a good conſcience at an high rate; good conſcience is a Saints Feſtival, his Muſick, his Paradiſe, and he will rather hazard any thing than violate his conſcience. They ſay of the Iriſh, if they have a good Skimmeter (a warlike weapon) they had rather take a blow on their Arme, than their Skimmeter ſhould be hurt. To this I may compare a good conſcience; a godly man had rather ſuſtain hurt in his body or eſtate, than his conſcience ſhould be hurt; he had rather dye, than violate the Virginity of his conſcience; ſuch a man as this, is Evangelically righteous; and if God call him to it, he is fit to ſuffer.

2. Avoid thoſe things which will hinder ſuffering.

1. The love of the world; God allows us the uſe of the world, 1 Tim. 6.7. But take heed of the love of it; he that is in love with the world, will be out of love with the Croſs. 2 Tim. 4.10. Demas hath forſaken me, having loved this preſent world; he not only forſook Pauls company, but his doctrine. The love of the world choaks our zeal; a man wedded to the world, will for thirty pieces of ſilver betray Chriſt and a good cauſe. Let the world be as a looſe garment, that you may throw off at pleaſure; before a man can dye for Chriſt, he muſt be dead to the world. Paul was crucified to the world, Gal. 6.14. It will be an eaſie thing to dye, when we are dead before in our affections.

p. 37022. Carnal fear. There is a two-fold fear.

1. A filial fear; when a man fears to diſpleaſe God**Incidam potius in Geheunam quam peccatum. Anſelm.; when he fears leſt he ſhould not hold out, this is a good fear; Bleſſed is he that fears alway; if Peter had feared his own heart, and ſaid, Lord Jeſus, I fear I ſhall forſake thee, Lord ſtrengthen me, doubtleſs Chriſt would have kept him from falling.

2. There is a cowardly fear; when a man fears danger more than ſin; when he is afraid to be good, this fear is an enemy to ſuffering. God proclaimed that thoſe who were fearful ſhould not go to the Wars; Deuter. 20.8. The fearful are unfit to fight in Chriſts Wars; a man poſſeſſed with fear, doth not conſult what is beſt, but what is ſafeſt. If he may ſave his Eſtate, he will ſnare his conſcience. Prov. 29.25. In the fear of man there is a ſnare. Fear made Peter deny Chriſt; Abraham equivocate; David fain himſelf mad; fear will put men upon indirect courſes, making them ſtudy rather compliance, than conſcience. Fear makes ſin appear little, and ſuffering great; the fearful man ſees double, he looks upon the croſs through his perſpective twice as big it is; fear argues ſordidneſs of ſpirit**Degeneres animos timor arguit., it will put one upon things moſt ignoble and unworthy; a fearful man will Vote againſt his conſcience; fear infeebles, it is like the cutting off Sampſons locks; fear melts away the courage. Joſh, 5.1. Their hearts melt becauſe of you; and when a mans ſtrength is gone, he is very unfit to carry Chriſts Croſs; fear is the root of Apoſtaſie. Spira's fear made him abjure and recant his Religion; fear doth one more hurt than the Adverſary; it is not ſo much an enemy without the Caſtle, as a Traytor within indangers it; 'tis not ſo much ſufferings without, as trayterous fear within which undoes a man; a fearful man is verſed in no poſture ſo much as in retreating; Oh take heed of this, be afraid p. 371of this fear. Luke 12.4. Fear not them that can kill the body. Perſecutors can but kill that body which muſt ſhortly dye; the fearful are ſet in the fore-front of them that ſhall go to hell, Rev. 21.8. Let us get the fear of God into our hearts; as one wedge drives out another, ſo the fear of God will drive out all other baſe fear.

3. Take heed of a facil ſpirit; a facil-ſpirited man 3will be turned any way with a word; he will be wrought as wax; he is ſo tame, that you may lead him whither you will. Rom. 16.18. With fair ſpeeches they deceive the hearts of the ſimple. A facil Chriſtian is malleable to any thing, he is like wool that will take any dye; he is a weak reed that will be blown any way with the breath of men; one day you may perſwade him to engage in a good cauſe, the next day to deſert it; he is not ex quercu ſed ex ſalice; he is made of willow, he will bend every way: Oh take heed of a facil ſpirit; 'tis not ingenuity, but folly to ſuffer ones ſelf to be abuſed. A good Chriſtian is like Mount Sion, that cannot be moved, Pſal. 125.1. He is like Fabricius, of whom it was ſaid, a man might as well alter the courſe of the Sun, as turn him aſide from doing juſtice. A good Chriſtian muſt be firme to his reſolution; if he be not a fixed, he will be a falling ſtar.

4. Take heed of liſtning to the voyce of the fleſh. St. 4Paul conferred not with fleſh and blood, Gal. 1.16. The fleſh will give bad counſel; firſt Saul conſulted with the fleſh, and afterwards he conſulted with the Divel, he ſends to the Witch of Endor; oh ſaith the fleſh, the Croſs of Chriſt is heavy, there is a nail in the yoke which will tear, and fetch blood; be as a deaf Adder, ſtopping your ears to the charmings of the fleſh.

3. Promote thoſe things which will help to ſuffer.

p. 37211. Inure your ſelves to ſuffering. 2 Tim. 2.3. As a good Souldier of Chriſt endure hardſhip. Jacob made the ſtone his pillow, Gen. 28.18. 'Tis good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth, Lam. 3.27. The bearing of a lighter croſs will fit for bearing an heavier: Learn to bear a reproach with patience, and then you will be fitter to bear an iron chain**Quid iſte faceret in igne qui Chriſtum rubuit in nube?. Saint Paul did dye daily; he began with leſſer ſufferings, and ſo by degrees learned to be a Martyr; as it is in ſin, a wicked man learns to be expert in ſin by degrees**Nemo repente fit turpis.; firſt he commits a leſſer ſin, then a greater, then he arrives at cuſtome in ſin, then he grows impudent in ſin, then he glories in ſin, Phil. 3.19. ſo it is in ſuffering, firſt a Chriſtian takes up the chips of the Croſs, a diſgrace, a priſon, and then he carries the Croſs it ſelf.

Alas how far are they from ſuffering, who indulge the fleſh! Amos 6.4. that lie upon beds of Ivory, and ſtretch themſelves upon their Couches; a very unfit poſture for ſuffering. That Souldier is like to make but poor work of it, who is ſtretching himſelf upon his bed, when he ſhould be in the field exerciſing his Arms**Quid dicam de his quibus cura eſt ut veſtes bene oleant, ut crines calamiſtro rorentur, ut digiti a nulis radient, & ſi via humi dior fiat vix in cam pedes compriment! Hier.: What ſhall I ſay ſaith Hierom, to thoſe Chriſtians who make it all their care to perſume their cloaths, to criſp their hair, to ſparkle their Diamonds; but if ſufferings come, and the way to heaven hath any water in it, they will not endure to ſet their feet upon it! Moſt people are too effeminate, they uſe themſelves too nicely and tenderly; thoſe delicatuli, thoſe ſilken Chriſtians, (as Tertullian calls them) that pamper the fleſh, are unfit for the School of the Croſs; the naked breaſt and bare ſhoulder is too ſoft and tender to carry Chriſts Croſs; inure your ſelves to hardſhip, do not make your pillow too eaſie.

22. Be well skil'd in the knowledge of Chriſt; a man p. 373can never dye for him he doth not know. 2 Tim. 1.12. For which cauſe I ſuffer theſe things, for I know whom I have believed. Blinde men are always fearful; a blinde Chriſtian will be fearful of the Croſs; enrich your ſelves with knowledge; know Chriſt in his Vertues, Offices, Priviledges; ſee the preciouſneſs in Chriſt. 1 Pet. 1.7. To you that believe he is precious; his Name is precious, 'tis as oyntment poured forth; his Blood is precious, 'tis as balm poured forth; his Love is precious, 'tis as wine poured forth; Jeſus Chriſt is made up of all ſweets and delights. — Ipſe totus deſideria; — he is light to the eye, honey to the taſte, joy to the heart; get but the knowledge of Chriſt, and you will part with all for him; you will embrace him, though it be in the fire; an ignorant man can never be a Martyr; he may ſet up an Altar, but he will never dye for an unknown God.

3. Prize every truth of God; the filings of gold are 3precious, the leaſt ray of truth is glorious. Prov. 23.23. Buy the truth, and ſell it not. Truth is the object of faith, 2 Theſ. 2.13. The ſeed of Regeneration, Jam. 1.18. The ſpring of joy, 1 Cor. 13.6. Truth crowns us with ſalvation, 1 Tim. 2.4. If ever you would ſuffer for the truth, prize it above all things; he that doth not prize truth above life, will never lay down his life for the truth. The bleſſed Martyrs ſealed to the truth with their blood. There are two things God counts moſt dear to him, his glory and his truth. I will, ſaith Biſhop Jewel, deny my Biſhopwrick, I will deny my name and credit, but the truths of Chriſt I cannot deny.

4. Keep a good conſcience; if there be any ſin allowed 4in the ſoul, it will unfit for ſuffering: A man that hath a Bile upon his ſhoulders, cannot carry a heavy burden; guilt of conſcience is like a Bile; he that hath this, p. 374can never carry the Croſs of Chriſt; if a Ship be ſound, and well rigged, it will ſail upon the water; but if it be full of holes, and leaks, it will ſink in the water: If conſcience be full of guilt, (which is like a leak in the Ship) it will not fall in the bloody waters of perſecution. An houſe will not ſtand in a ſtorm, the pillars of it being rotten; if a mans heart be rotten, he will never ſtand in a ſtorm of tribulation; how can a guilty perſon ſuffer, when for ought he knows he is like to go from the fire at the ſtake to hell-fire! Let conſcience be pure. 1 Tim. 3.9. Holding the myſtery of faith in a pure conſcience. A good conſcience will abide the fiery trial; this made the Martyrs flames, beds of Roſes; good conſcience**Murus abaeneus eſto, Nil conſcire ſibi. is a wall of braſs; with the Leviathan, it laughs at the ſhaking of a Spear, Job 41.29. Let one be in Priſon, good conſcience is a Bird can ſing in this Cage; Auſtin calls it the Paradiſe of a good conſcience.

55. Make the Scripture familiar to you, Pſal. 119.50. The Scripture well digeſted by meditation will fit for ſuffering; The Scripture is a Chriſtians Palladium, his Magazine and Fort-royal; it may be compar'd to the Tower of David, on which there hang a thouſand Bucklers, Cant. 4.3. From theſe breſts of Scripture divine ſtrength flows into the ſoul. Col. 3.16. Let the word of Chriſt dwell in you richly. Hierom ſpeaks of one who by frequent ſtudying the Scripture made his breaſt bibliothecam Chriſti, the Library of Chriſt. The bleſſed Scripture as it is an honycomb for comfort, ſo an armory for ſtrength; firſt, the Martyrs hearts did burn within them by reading the Scripture †,**Luke 24.32.Luke 24:32 and then their bodies were fit to burn. The Scripture armes a Chriſtian both againſt tentation and perſecution.

1. Againſt Tentation. Chriſt himſelf when he was tempted by the Divel, ran to Scripture for armour, it is p. 375written. Three times he wounds the old Serpent with this ſword. Hierom ſaith of Saint Paul he could never have gone through ſo many tentations but for his Scripture-armour. Chriſtian, art thou tempted? go to Scripture, gather a ſtone hence, to ſling in the face of a Goliah-temptation; art thou tempted to pride? read that Scripture, 1 Pet. 5.5. God reſiſteth the proud; art thou tempted to luſt? read James 1.15. when luſt hath conceived, it bringeth forth ſin, and ſin when it is finiſhed bringeth forth death.

2. Againſt perſecution. When the fleſh draws back, the Scripture will recruit us, it will put armour upon us, and courage into us, Rev. 2.10. Fear none of thoſe things which thou ſhalt ſuffer; behold the Divel ſhall caſt ſome of you into priſon that ye may be tried, and you ſhall have tribulation ten dayes: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life. O ſaith the Chriſtian I am afraid to ſuffer; Feare none of thoſe things thou ſhalt ſuffer. But why ſhould I ſuffer? I love God, and is not this ſufficient? nay, but God will try your love; it is that ye may be tried. Gods gold is beſt tried in the Furnace. But this perſecution is ſo long. No, it is but for ten dayes; it may be laſting, but not everlaſting: What are ten dayes put in the ballance with eternity? But what am I the better if I ſuffer? what comes of it? I will (ſaith God) give thee a Crown of life: Though thy body be Martyr'd, thy ſoul ſhall be Crown'd. But I ſhall faint when trials come. My grace ſhall be ſufficient, 2 Cor. 12.9. The weak Chriſtian hath Omnipotency to under-prop it.

6. Get a ſuffering frame of heart.

Queſt. What is that? Queſt.

Anſw. A ſelf-denying frame: Anſw. Matth. 16.24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and p. 376take up the Croſs. Self-denial is the foundation of godlineſs; and if this be not well laid, the whole building will fall. If there be any luſt in our ſouls which we cannot deny, it will turn at length either to ſcandal or apoſtaſie. Self-denial is the thread which muſt run along through the whole work of Religion; the ſelf-denying Chriſtian will be the ſuffering Chriſtian; let him deny himſelf, and take up his Croſs.

For the further Explication of this, I ſhall do two things.

1. Shew what is meant by this word deny.

2. What is meant by ſelf.

1. What is meant by deny; the word foreign, to deny, ſignifies to lay aſide, to put off, to annihilate ones ſelf. Beza renders it abdicet ſeipſum, let him renounce himſelf.

2. What is meant by ſelf; Self is taken four wayes.

1. Worldly ſelf.

2. Relative ſelf.

3. Natural ſelf.

4. Carnal ſelf.

1. A man muſt deny worldly ſelf; that is, his eſtate. Matth. 19.27. Behold we have forſaken all, and followed thee. The gold of Ophir muſt be denied for the pearle of price; Let their money periſh with them (ſaid that noble Marqueſs of Vico) who eſteem all the gold and ſilver in the world worth one houres communion with Chriſt.

2. A man muſt deny RELATIVE SELF, his deareſt Relations if God calls; if our neareſt alliance, father or mother ſtand in our way, and would hinder us from doing our duty, we muſt either leap over them, or p. 377tread upon them. Luke 14.26. If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, and wife, and children, &c. he cannot be my Diſciple. Relations muſt not weigh heavier than Chriſt.

3. A man muſt deny natural ſelf; he muſt be willing to become a ſacrifice, and make Chriſts Crown flouriſh, though it be in his aſhes. Luk. 14.26. Rev. 12.11. They loved not their lives unto the death: Jeſus Chriſt was dearer to them than their own heart-blood.

4. A man muſt deny carnal ſelf; this I take to be the chief ſenſe of the Text.

1. He muſt deny ſelf-eaſe; the fleſh cries out for eaſe, it is loth to put its neck under Chriſts yoke, or ſtretch it ſelf upon the Croſs; the fleſh cries out there is a Lyon in the way, Prov. 22.13. We muſt deny our ſelf-eaſe; they that lean on the ſoft pillow of ſloath, will hardly take up the Croſs. 2 Tim. 2.3. Thou as a good Souldier of Chriſt endure hardneſs. We muſt force a way to heaven through ſweat and blood. Caeſars Souldiers did fight with hunger and cold.

2. A man muſt deny ſelf-opinion; every man by nature hath an high opinion of himſelf, he is drunk with ſpiritual pride; and a proud man is unfit for ſuffering, he thinks himſelf too good to ſuffer. What (ſaith he) I that am of ſuch a noble deſcent, ſuch high parts, ſuch repute and credit in the world, ſhall I ſuffer? a proud man diſdains the Croſs; oh deny ſelf-opinion; how did Chriſt come to ſuffer? He humbled himſelf, and became obedient unto death, Phil. 2.8. Let the Plumes of pride fall.

3. A man muſt deny ſelf-confidence; Peters confidence undid him. Matth. 26.33, 34. Though all men ſhall be offended becauſe of thee, yet will I never be offended; though I ſhould dye with thee, yet will I not deny p. 378thee. How did this man preſume upon his own ſtrength, as if he had more grace than all the Apoſtles beſides? his denying Chriſt, was for want of denying himſelf; oh deny thy own ſtrength; Sampſons ſtrength was in his locks; a Chriſtians ſtrength lies in Chriſt; he who truſts to himſelf, ſhall be left to himſelf; he who goes out in his own ſtrength, comes off to his own ſhame.

4. A man muſt deny ſelf-wiſdom†:**Renunciet proprio ingenio. Beza. We read of the wiſdom of the fleſh, 2 Cor. 1.12. Self-wiſdom is carnal policy; 'tis wiſdom (ſaith the fleſh) to keep out of ſuffering; 'tis wiſdom not to declare againſt ſin; 'tis wiſdom to finde out ſubtile diſtinctions to avoide the Croſs; the wiſdom of the fleſh is to ſave the fleſh. Indeed there is a Chriſtian prudence to be uſed; the Serpents eye muſt be in the Doves head; wiſdom and innocency do well, but it is dangerous to ſeparate them; curſed be that policy which teacheth to avoide duty; this wiſdom is not from above, but is divelliſh, Jam. 3.17. it is learned from the old Serpent; this wiſdom will turn to folly at laſt; it is like a man, who to ſave his gold, throws himſelf over-board into the water; ſo the Polititian to ſave his skin, will damn his ſoul.

5. A man muſt deny ſelf-will; Saint Gregory calls the will the Commander in chief of all the faculties of the ſoul; indeed in innocency Adam had rectitude of minde, and conformity of will; the will was like an inſtrument in tune, it was full of harmony, and did tune ſweetly to Gods will; but now the will is corrupt, and like a ſtrong Tyde carries us violently to evil; the will hath not only an indiſpoſition to good, but an oppoſition, Acts 7.51. Ye have alwayes reſiſted the Holy Ghoſt; there is not a greater enemy than the will, it is up in arms againſt God, 2 Pet. 2.10. The will loves ſin, and hates the Croſs. Now if ever we ſuffer for God, we p. 379muſt croſs our own will; the will muſt be martyred; a Chriſtian muſt ſay, not my will Lord, but thy will be done.

6. A man muſt deny ſelf-reaſonings; the fleſhy part will be reaſoning and diſputing againſt ſufferings. Mark 2.8. Why reaſon you theſe things in your hearts? ſuch reaſonings as theſe will begin to ariſe in our hearts.

1. Perſecution is bitter. Self-rea∣ſoning. 1

Anſw. Oh but it is bleſſed! Jam. 1.12. Bleſſed is he that endureth tentation, &c. The Croſs is heavy, but the ſharper the Croſs, the brighter the Crown.

2. But 'tis ſad to part with Eſtate and Relations. Self-rea∣ſoning. 2

Anſw. But Chriſt is better than all, he is Manna to ſtrengthen, he is wine to comfort, he is ſalvation to crown.

3. But liberty is ſweet. Self-rea∣ſoning. 3

Anſw. This reſtraint makes way for enlargement. Pſal. 4.1. Thou haſt enlarged me in diſtreſs; when the feet are bound with irons, the heart may be ſweetly dilated and enlarged.

Thus ſhould we put to ſilence thoſe ſelf-reaſonings which are apt to ariſe in the heart againſt ſufferings.

This ſelf-denying frame of heart is very hard; this is to pluck out the right eye; one ſaith, a man hath not ſo much to do in over-coming men and Divels, as in overcoming himſelf.

— Fortior eſt qui ſe, quam qui fortiſſima vincit

Maenia.—

Self is the Idol; and how hard is it to ſacrifice this Idol, and to turn ſelf-ſeeking into ſelf-denial? but though it be difficult, it is eſſentially neceſſary to ſuffering; a Chriſtian muſt firſt lay down ſelf, before he can take up the Croſs.

p. 380Alas how far are they then from ſuffering, that cannot deny themſelves in the leaſt things? in their dyet or apparel; who inſtead of martyring the fleſh, pamper the fleſh; inſtead of taking up the Croſs, take up their Cups; is this ſelf-denial, to let looſe the reins to the fleſh? 'tis ſure, they who cannot deny themſelves, if ſufferings come, they will deny Chriſt. Oh Chriſtians, as ever you would be able to carry Chriſts Croſs, begin to deny your ſelves; conſider,

11. Whatever you deny for Chriſt, you ſhall finde again in Chriſt. Matth. 19.29. Every one that hath forſaken houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my Names ſake, ſhall receive an hundred fold, and ſhall inherit everlasting life. Here is a very ſaving bargain; is it not gain enough to have ten in the hundred, nay, above an hundred for one.

22. 'Tis but equity that you ſhould deny your ſelves for Chriſt; did not Jeſus Chriſt deny himſelf for you? he denied his joy, he left his fathers boſome, he denied his honour, he endured the ſhame, Hebr. 12.2. He denied his life, he poured out his blood as a ſacrifice upon the Alta… of the Croſs, Col. 1.20. Did Chriſt deny himſelf for you, and will not you deny your ſelves for him?

33. Self-denial is the higheſt ſign of a thorow-paced Chriſtian; hypocrites may have great knowledge, and make large profeſſion, but it is only the true-hearted Saint that can deny himſelf for Chriſt. I have read of an holy man who was once tempted by Satan, to whom Satan ſaid, Why takeſt thou all this pains? Thou watcheſt an …aſteſt, and abſtaineſt from ſin, O man, what doſt thou more than I? Art thou no Drunkard, no Adulterer? no more am I. Doſt thou watch? let me tell p. 381thee I never ſlept: Doſt thou faſt? I never eat; What doſt thou more than I? Why, ſaith the good man, I will tell thee Satan, I pray, I ſerve the Lord, nay more then all, I deny my ſelf; nay then ſaith Satan, thou goeſt beyond me, for I exalt my ſelf; and ſo vaniſhed. Self-denial is the beſt touch-ſtone of ſincerity; by this you go beyond hypocrites.

4. To deny your ſelves, is but what others have 4done before you. Moſes was a ſelf-denier, he denied the honours and profits of the Court, Hebr. 11.25. Abraham denied his own Country at Gods call, Hebr. 11.8. Marcus Arethuſus who lived in the time of Julian the Emperour, endured great torments for Religion; if he would but have given an half-penny towards the rebuilding of the Idols Temple, he might have been releaſed; but he would not do it, though the giving of an half-penny might have ſaved his life; here was a ſelf-denying Saint.

5. There is a time ſhortly coming, that if you do 5not deny the world for Chriſt, the world will deny you; the world now denies ſatisfaction, and ere long it will deny houſe-room; it will not ſuffer you ſo much as to breath in it, it will turn you out of poſſeſſion; and which is worſe, not only the world will deny you, but Chriſt will deny you. Matth. 10.33. Whoſoever ſhall deny me before men, him will I alſo deny before my Father which is in heaven.

7. Get ſuffering graces, theſe three in particular.

1. Faith.

2. Love.

3. Patience.

1. Suffering grace is faith. Epheſ. 6.16. Above p. 382all taking the ſhield of faith; the pretence of faith is one thing, the uſe of faith another; the hypocrite makes faith a cloak, the Martyr makes it a ſhield; a ſhield is uſeful in time of danger, it defends the head, it guards the vitals; ſuch a ſhield is faith, faith is a furnace-grace. 1 Pet. 1.7. Though it be tryed with fire, it is found unto praiſe and honour. Faith like Hercules club, beats down all oppoſitions; by faith we reſiſt the Divel, 1 Pet. 5.9. By faith we reſiſt unto blood, Hebr. 11.34. Faith is a victorious grace; the Believer will make Chriſts crown flouriſh, though it be in his own aſhes; an unbeliever is like Reuben, unſtable as water, he ſhall not excel, Gen. 49.4. A believer is like Joſeph, who, though the Archers ſhot at him, his Bowe abode in ſtrength. Caſt a believer upon the waters of affliction, he can follow Chriſt upon the water, and not ſink; caſt him into the fire, his zeal burns hotter than the flame; caſt him into priſon, he is enlarged in ſpirit; Paul and Silas had their priſon-ſongs. Pſal. 91.13. Thou ſhalt tread upon the Lyon and the Adder. A Chriſtian arm'd with faith as a coat of Male, can tread upon thoſe perſecutions which are fierce as the Lyon, and ſting as the Adder; get faith.

Queſt. Queſt. But how comes faith to be ſuch Armour of proof?

Anſw. Anſw. Six manner of wayes.

1. Faith unites the ſoul to Chriſt, and that bleſſed head ſends forth ſpirits into the members. Phil. 4.13. I can do all things through Chriſt, &c. Faith is a grace lives all upon the borrow; as when we want water, we go to the Well and fetch it; when we want gold, we go to the Mine; ſo faith goes to Chriſt, and fetcheth his ſtrength into the ſoul, whereby it is enabled both to do and ſuffer; hence it is faith is ſuch a wonder-working grace.

p. 3832. Faith works in the heart a contempt of the world; faith gives a true map of the world, Eccleſ. 2.11. Faith ſhews the world in its night-dreſs, having all its jewels pul'd off; faith makes the world appear in an Eclipſe; the believer ſees more Eclipſes than the Aſtronomer; faith ſhews the ſoul better things than the world; it gives a ſight of Chriſt and glory, it gives a proſpect of heaven; as the Mariner in a dark night climbs up to the top of the Maſt, and cries out, ſtellam video, I ſee a star; ſo faith climbs up above ſenſe and reaſon into heaven, and ſees Chriſt, that bright morning ſtar; and the ſoul having once viewed his ſuperlative excellencies, becomes crucified to the world; oh ſaith the Chriſtian, ſhall not I ſuffer the loſs of all theſe things, that I may enjoy Jeſus Chriſt!

3. Faith gets ſtrength from the promiſe; faith lives in a promiſe; take the fiſh out of the water, and it dies; take faith out of a promiſe, and it cannot live; the promiſes are breaſts of conſolation; the childe by ſucking the breaſt gets ſtrength; ſo doth faith by ſucking the breaſt of a promiſe. When a Garriſon is beſieged, and is ready almoſt to yield to the enemy, Auxiliary forces are ſent in to relieve it; ſo when faith begins to be weak, and is ready to faint in the day of battel, then the promiſes muſter their forces together, and all come in for faiths relief, and now it is able to hold out in the fiery trial.

4. Faith gives the ſoul a right notion of ſuffering; faith draws the true picture of ſufferings; what is ſuffering? ſaith faith; it is but the ſuffering of the body, that body which muſt ſhortly by the courſe of nature drop into the duſt. Perſecution can but take away my life; an Ague or Feaver may do as much; now faith giving the ſoul a right notion of ſufferings, and taking (as it were) p. 384a juſt meaſure of them, enables a Chriſtian to proſtrate his life at the feet of Chriſt.

5. Faith reconciles providences and promiſes; as it was in Saint Pauls voyage, providence did ſeem to be againſt him, there was a croſs winde did ariſe, called Euroclydon, Acts 27.14. but God had given him a promiſe that he would ſave his life, and the lives of all that ſailed with him in the Ship, Ver. 24. therefore when the winde blew never ſo contrary, Paul believed it would at leaſt blow him to the Haven; ſo when ſenſe ſaith, Here is a croſs providence, ſufferings come, I ſhall be undone; then ſaith faith, all things ſhall work for good to them that love God, Rom. 8.28. This providence, though bloody, ſhall fulfill the promiſe; affliction ſhall work for my good, it ſhall heal my corruption, and ſave my ſoul. Thus faith making the winde and tyde go together, the winde of a providence with the tyde of the promiſe, enables a Chriſtian to ſuffer perſecution.

6. Faith picks ſweetneſs out of the Croſs; faith ſhews the ſoul God reconciled, and ſin pardoned; and then how ſweet is every ſuffering? The Bee gathers the ſweeteſt honey from the bittereſt herb. — Saepe tulit laſsis ſuccus amarus opem. — So faith from the ſharpeſt trials gathers the ſweeteſt comforts, faith looks upon ſuffering as Gods love token▪ Afflictions (ſaith Nazianzene) are ſharp arrows, but they are ſhot from the hand of a loving Father; faith can taſte honey at the end of the rod; faith fetches joy out of ſuffering, John 16.20. Faith gets an honey-comb in the belly of the Lyon, it finds a jewel under the croſs; and thus you ſee how faith comes to be ſuch Armour of proof; above all taking the ſhield of faith; a believer having p. 385caſt his Anchor in heaven, cannot ſink in the waters of perſecution.

2. Suffering grace is love; get hearts fired with love 2to the Lord Jeſus; love is a grace both active and paſſive.

1. Love is active, it layes a Law of conſtraint upon the ſoul. 2 Cor. 5.14. The love of Christ conſtrains me; love is the wing of the ſoul that ſets it a flying, and the weight of the ſoul that ſets it a going; love never thinks it can do enough for Chriſt; as he who loves the world, never thinks he can take pains enough for it; love is never weary, it is not tired, unleſs with its own ſlowneſs.

2. Love is paſsive, it enables to ſuffer; a man that loves his friend, will ſuffer any thing for him rather than he ſhall be wronged. The Curtii laid down their lives for the Romans, becauſe they loved them; love made our dear Lord ſuffer for us; per vulnera viſcera; as the Pelican out of her love to her young ones, when they are bitten with Serpents, feeds them with her own blood to recover them again; ſo when we had been bitten by the old Serpent, that Chriſt might recover us, he did feed us with his own blood. Jacobs love to Rachel, made him almoſt hazard his life for her. Many waters cannot quench love, Cant. 8.7. No not the waters of perſecution; love is ſtrong as death, Cant. 8.6. Death makes it way through the greateſt oppoſitions; ſo love will make its way to Chriſt through the Priſon and the Furnace. But all pretend love to Chriſt; how ſhall we know that we have ſuch a love to him as will make us ſuffer?

1. True love is amor amicitiae, a love of friendſhip, which is genuine and ingenuous, when we love Chriſt for himſelf; there is a mercenary and meretricious love, when we love divine objects propter aliud, for ſomething elſe: p. 386a man may love the Queen of truth for the jewel at her ear, becauſe ſhe brings preferment; a man may love Chriſt for his head of gold **Cant. 5.11.Song 5:11, becauſe he enricheth with glory; but true love is when we love Chriſt for his lovelineſs, namely, that infinite and ſuperlative beauty which ſhines in him†**Jeſus propter Jeſum. Aug. as a man loves ſweet wine for its ſelf.

2. True love is amor deſiderii, a love of deſire, when we deſire to be united to Chriſt as the fountain of happineſs; love deſires union; the ſoul that loves Chriſt, is, ambitious of death, becauſe this diſſolution tends to union; Death ſlips one knot, and tyes another.

3. True love is amor benevolentiae, a love of benevolence; when ſo far as we are able we endeavour to lift up Chriſts name in the world; as the wiſe men brought him gold and franckincenſe, Mat. 2.11. ſo we bring him our tribute of ſervice, and are willing that he ſhould riſe, though it be by our fall. In ſhort, that love which is kindled from heaven, makes us give Chriſt the preheminence of our affection. Cant. 8.2. I would cauſe thee to drink of ſpiced wine, and the juyce of my Pomgranates. If the Spouſe hath a cup which is more juycy and ſpiced, Chriſt ſhall drink off that; indeed we can never love Chriſt too much; we may love gold in the exceſs, but not Chriſt; the Angels do not love Chriſt to his worth. Now when love is boyled up to this heighth, it will enable us to ſuffer; love is ſtrong as death; the Martyrs 3firſt burned in love, and then in fire.

3. The third ſuffering grace is patience **Ga…et patientia duris. Lucan.; patience is a grace made and cut out for ſuffering**Sine ferro & flamma Martyres eſſe poſſumus, fine patientia non poſſumus.; patience is a ſweet ſubmiſſion to the will of God, whereby we are content to bear any thing that he is pleaſed to lay upon us. Patience makes a Chriſtian invincible, it is like the Anvil that bears all ſtroaks. We cannot be men without p. 387patience; paſſion doth unman a man, it puts him beſide the uſe of reaſon; we cannot be Martyrs without patience, patience makes us endure, James 5.10. We read, Rev. 13.2. of a beaſt like unto a Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a Bear, and the Dragon gave him his power, &c. This Beaſt is to be underſtood of the Antichriſtian power. Antichriſt may be compared to a Leopard for ſubtilty and fierceneſs; and on his head was the name of blaſpheming, ver. 1. which agrees with that deſcription of the man of ſin. 2 Theſ. 2.4. He ſitteth in the Temple of God, ſhewing himſelf that he is God; and the Dragon gave him power, Ver. 2. that is the Divel; and it was given to him to make war with the Saints, Rev. 13.7. Well, how come the Saints to bear the heat of this fiery trial? Ver. 10. Here is the patience of the Saints; patience overcomes by ſuffering. A Chriſtian without patience, is like a Souldier without arms; faith keeps the heart up from ſinking, patience keeps the heart down from murmuring; patience is not provoked by injuries, it is ſenſible, but not peeviſh; patience looks to the end of ſufferings; this is the Motto; — Deus dabit his queque finem. As the Watchman waits for the dawning of the morning, ſo the patient Chriſtian ſuffers and waits, till the day of glory begins to dawn upon him; faith ſaith, God will come; and patience ſaith, I will ſtay his leaſure; theſe are thoſe ſuffering graces which are a Chriſtians Armour of proof.

8. Treaſure up ſuffering promiſes; the promiſes are 8faiths bladders to keep it from ſinking, they are the breaſtmilk a Chriſtian lives on in time of ſufferings, they are p. 388honey at the end of the Rod; hoard up promiſes.

1. God hath made promiſes of direction, that he will give us a Spirit of wiſdom in that houre, teaching us what to ſay, Luke 21.15. I will give you a mouth and wiſdom, which all your adverſaries ſhall not be able to gain-ſay, nor reſiſt. You ſhall not need ſtudy, God will put an anſwer into your mouth; this many of Gods ſufferers can ſet their ſeal to; the Lord hath on a ſudden darted ſuch words into their mouths, as their enemies could eaſier cenſure than contradict.

2. God hath made promiſes of protection. Acts 18.9. No man ſhall ſet on thee to hurt thee. How ſafe was Paul, when he had Omnipotency it ſelf to ſcreen off danger? and Luke 1.18. There ſhall not an hair of your head periſh. Perſecutors are Lyons, but chained Lyons.

3. God hath made promiſes of his ſpecial preſence with his Saints in ſuffering. Pſal. 91.15. I will be with him in trouble. If we have ſuch a friend to viſit us in priſon, we ſhall do well enough; though we change our place, we ſhall not change our Keeper; I will be with him. God will hold our head and heart when we are fainting! What if we have more afflictions than others, if we have more of Gods company? Gods honour is dear to him; it would not be for his honour to bring his children into ſufferings, and leave them there; he will be with them to animate and ſupport them; yea, when new troubles ariſe. Job 5.19. He ſhall be with thee in ſix troubles.

4. The Lord hath made promiſes of deliverance: Pſal. 91.15. I will deliver him, and honour him; God will open a back-door for his people to eſcape out of ſufferings. 1 Cor. 10.13. foreign; He will with the tentation make a way to eſcape. Thus he did to p. 389Peter. Acts 12.10. Peters prayers had opened heaven, and Gods Angel opens the priſon; God can either prevent a ſnare, or break it. Pſal. 68.20. To God the Lord belong the iſsues from death. He who can ſtrengthen our faith, can break our fetters; the Lord ſometimes makes the enemies inſtruments of breaking thoſe ſnares which themſelves have laid, Eſther 8.8.

5. In caſe of Martyrdom God hath made promiſes of conſolation. John 16.22. Your ſorrow ſhall be turned into joy; there is the water turned into wine. Acts 23.11. Be of good chear Paul. In time of perſecution God broacheth the wine of conſolation; cordials are kept for fainting. Philip Lantgrave of Heſſe, profeſſed ſe divinas Martyrum conſolationes ſenſiſſe. Stephen ſaw the heavens opened, Acts 7.56. Glover that bleſſed Martyr cryed out at the ſtake in an holy rapture, He is come, he is come, meaning the Comforter.

6. Promiſes of compenſation; God will abundantly recompence all our ſufferings, in this life an hundred fold, and in the world to come life everlaſting, Matth. 19.29. This Auſtin calls the beſt and greateſt uſury; our loſſes for Chriſt are gainful. Matth. 10.39. He that loſeth his life for my ſake ſhall finde it. Theſe ſuffering promiſes ſhould we treaſure up, and by holy meditation ſuck ſweetneſs and ſtrength out of them.

9. Set before your eyes ſuffering examples, look upon 9others as patterns to imitate. Jam. 5.16. Take my Brethren the Prophets, foreign, for an example of ſuffering affliction. Examples have more influence upon us than precepts; the one inſtruct, the other animate; as they ſhew Elephants the blood of Grapes and Mulberries to make them fight the better; ſo the Holy Ghoſt ſhews us the blood of Saints and Martyrs to infuſe a ſpirit of zeal and courage into us: Micaiah was in the priſon, Jeremiah p. 390in the Dungeon, Iſaiah was ſawn aſunder. The Primitive Chriſtians though their fleſh was boyled, roaſted, diſmembred**Alii flammis exuſti, alii patibulo cruciati., yet like the Adamant they remained invincible; ſuch was their zeal and patience in ſuffering, that their perſecutors ſtood amazed, and were more weary in tormenting, then they were in enduring**Tertul. in Apolog.: John Huſſe when he was brought to be burned, they put upon his head a tripple crown of paper printed with red Divels, which when he ſaw, ſaith he, My Lord Jeſus Chriſt wore a crown of thorns for me, why then ſhall not I wear this crown, how ignominious ſoever? Polycarp Biſhop of Smyrna, when he came before the Proconſul, he bade him deny Chriſt, and ſwear by the Emperour; he replyed, I have ſerved Chriſt theſe eighty ſix years, and he hath not once hurt me, and ſhall I deny him now**Octoginta ſex annos illi jam inſervii, &c.? Sanders that bleſſed Martyr, ſaid, Welcome the Croſs of Chriſt; my Saviour began to me in a bitter cup, and ſhall not I pledge him? You Baynham, you Papiſts that look for miracles, I feel no more pain in the fire, than if I were in a bed of Downe. Another of the Martyrs ſaid, The ringing of my chain hath been ſweet Muſick in my ears; O what a comforter (ſaith he) is a good conſcience! Another Martyr kiſſing the ſtake, ſaid, I ſhall not loſe my life, but change it for a better; inſtead of coals I ſhall have pearls! Another, when the chain was faſtning to him, ſaid, Bleſſed be God for this wedding girdle! Theſe ſuffering examples we ſhould lay up, God is ſtill the ſame God; he hath as much love in his heart to pity us, and as much ſtrength in his arm to help us; let us think with our ſelves what courage the very Heathens have ſhewn in their ſufferings: Julius Caeſar was a man of an heroick ſpirit; when he was fore-told of a conſpiracy againſt him in the Senate houſe, he anſwered, He had rather dye than fear**Mori ſe quam timere malle. Plut.. Mutius Scevola having his p. 391hand held over the fire, till the fleſh fryed, and his ſinnews began to ſhrink, yet did bear it with an undaunted ſpirit. Quintus Curtius reports of Lyſimachus a brave Captain, that being adjudged to be caſt naked to a Lyon, when the Lyon came roaring upon him, Lyſimachus wrapped his ſhirt about his arm, and thruſt it into the Lyons mouth, and taking hold of his tongue, killed the Lyon. Did nature infuſe ſuch a ſpirit of courage and gallantry into Heathens! how ſhould grace much more into Chriſtians? let us be of Saint Pauls mind, Acts 20.24. Not counting my life dear, ſo that I might finiſh my courſe with joy.

10. Let us lay in ſuffering conſiderations. A wiſe Chriſtian 10is conſiderative.

1. Conſider who we ſuffer for; it is for Chriſt, and 1we cannot ſuffer for a better friend; there is many a man will ſuffer ſhame and death for his luſts; he will ſuffer diſgrace for a drunken luſt, he will ſuffer death for a revengeful luſt. Shall others dye for their luſts, and ſhall not we dye for Chriſt? Will a man ſuffer for that luſt which damns him, and ſhall not we ſuffer for that Chriſt which ſaves us? Oh remember, we eſpouſe Gods own quarrel, and he will not ſuffer us to be loſers; if no man ſhall kindle a fire on Gods Altar for nought, Mal. 1.10. then ſurely no man ſhall ſacrifice himſelf for God in the fire for nought.

2. It is a great honour to ſuffer perſecution. Ambroſe 2ſpeaking in the encomium of his ſiſter, ſaid, appellabo Martyrem, I will ſay this of her, ſhe was a Martyr; it is a great honour to be ſingled out to bear witneſs to the truth. Acts 5.41. They departed from the Council, rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his Name; 'tis a title that hath been given to Kings, Defenders of the Faith; a Martyr is in a ſpecial manner, a p. 392Defender of the Faith; Kings are defenders of the faith by their Swords, Martyrs by their blood**Reges conſerva…t fidem gladio, Martyres ſanguine.. Gregory Nazianzene calls Athanaſius, foreign, the Bulwark of truth; 'tis a credit to appear for God. Martyrs are not only Chriſts Followers, but his Enſign-bearers: The Romans had their Camilli and Fabricii, brave Warriors which grac'd the field; God calls out none but his Champions to fight his battels; we read Abraham called forth his trained ſouldiers, Gen. 14.14. ſuch as were more expert and valiant. What an honour it is to be one of Chriſts trained-band? the Diſciples dreamed of a temporal reign, Acts 1.6. Chriſt tells them, Ver. 8. Ye ſhall be witneſſes unto me in Jeruſalem, &c. To bear witneſs by their ſufferings to the truth of Chriſts Divinity and Paſſion, was a greater honour to the Diſciples, than to have had a temporal reign upon earth; a bloody Croſs is more honourable than a purple Robe; perſecution is called the fiery trial, 1 Pet. 3.12. God hath two fires; one where he puts his gold, and another where he puts his droſs; the fire where he puts his droſs, is hell fire; the fire where he puts his gold, is the fire of perſecution; God honours his gold when he puts it into the fire. 1 Pet. 1.7. 1 Pet. 4.14. A Spirit of glory reſts upon you. Perſecution, as it is a Badge of our Order, ſo an Enſign of our Glory. What greater honour can be put upon a mortal man, than to ſtand up in the cauſe of God? and not only to dye in the Lord, but to dye for the Lord. Ignatius called his fetters his ſpiritual pearls; Saint Paul gloried more in his iron chain, than if it had been a gold chain, Acts 28.20.

33. Conſider what Jeſus Chriſt endured for us; Calvin ſaith, Chriſts whole life was a ſeries of ſuffering: Chriſtian, what is thy ſuffering? art thou poor, ſo was Chriſt? Matth. 8.20. Foxes have holes, and the Birds p. 393of the Ayre have Neſts, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Art thou ſurrounded with enemies? ſo was Chriſt. Acts 4.27. Againſt thy holy childe Jeſus whom thou haſt anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, &c. were gathered together. Do our enemies lay claim to Religion? ſo did his. Matth. 27.6. The chief Prieſts took the ſilver pieces, and ſaid It is not lawful to put them into the Treaſury, becauſe it is the price of blood. Godly perſecutors! Art thou reproached? ſo was Chriſt. Matth. 27.29. They bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, ſaying, Hail, King of the Jewes. Art thou ſlandered? ſo was Chriſt. Matth. 9.34. He caſteth out Divels through the Prince of the Divels. Art thou ignominiouſly uſed? ſo was Chriſt. Mark 14.65. Some began to ſpit upon him. Art thou betrayed by friends? ſo was Chriſt. Luke 22.48. Judas betrayeſt thou the Son of man with a kiſs? Is thy Eſtate ſequeſtred? and do the wicked caſt lots for it? ſo Chriſt was dealt with. Matth. 27.34. They parted his garments, caſting lots. Do we ſuffer unjuſtly? ſo did Chriſt; his very Judge did acquit him. Luke 23.4. Then ſaid Pilate to the chief Prieſts, and to the people, I finde no fault in this man. Art thou barbarouſly dragged and haled away to ſuffering? ſo was Chriſt. Matth. 27.2. When they had bound him (though he came to looſen them) they led him away. Doſt thou ſuffer death? ſo did Chriſt: Luke 23.33. When they were come to Calvary, there they crucified him. They gave him gall and vineger to drink; the one deciphering the bitterneſs, the other the ſharpneſs of his death. Chriſt under-went not only the blood of the Croſs, but the curſe of the Croſs, Gal. 3.13. He had an agony in his ſoul, Matth. 26.38. foreign; My ſoul is exceeding ſorrowful unto death. The ſoul of Chriſt was over-caſt with a cloud of p. 394Gods diſpleaſure; the Greek Church ſpeaking of the ſufferings of Chriſt, calls them foreign, unknown ſufferings. Did the Lord Jeſus endure all this for us, and ſhall not we ſuffer perſecution for his Name? ſay as holy Ignatius **foreign. Ignat., I am willing to dye for Christ, for Chriſt my love was crucified. Our cup is nothing to the cup which Chriſt drank; his cup was mixed with the wrath of God; and if he did bear Gods wrath for us, well may we bear mans wrath for him.

44. Great is the honour we bring to Chriſt and the Goſpel by ſuffering; it was an honour to Caeſar that he had ſuch Souldiers as were able to fight with hunger and cold, and endure hardſhip in their marches. It is an honour to Chriſt that he hath ſuch liſted under him as will leave all for him; it proclaims him to be a good Maſter, when his ſervants will wear his Livery, though it be ſullied with diſgrace, and lined with blood; Pauls iron chain made the Goſpel wear a golden chain. Tertullian ſaith of the Saints in his time, they took their ſufferings more kindly, than if they had had deliverance**Magis damnati quam abſoluti gaudemus. Tert. Apolog.. O what a glory was this to the truth, when they durſt embrace it in the flame! And as the Saints ſufferings adorn the Goſpel, ſo they propagate it. Baſil ſaith the zeal and conſtancy of the Martyrs in the Primitive times, made ſome of the Heathens to be Chriſtianized.

— Sanguine fundata eſt Eccleſia, ſanguine crevit. —

The ſhowres of blood have ever made the Church fruitful, Phil. 1.13. Pauls being bound made the truth more enlarged; the Goſpel hath alwayes flouriſhed in the aſhes of Martyrs.

55. It is that we have engaged our ſelves to in Baptiſm; there we took our preſs-money; we ſolemnly vowed that p. 395we would be true to Chriſts intereſt, and fight it out under his Banner to the death; and how often have we in the bleſſed Supper taken the oath of allegiance to Jeſus Chriſt, that we would be his liege ſervants, and that death ſhould not part us! Now if when being called to it, we refuſe to ſuffer perſecution for his Name, Chriſt will bring our Baptiſme as an inditement againſt us; Chriſt is called the Captain of our ſalvation, Hebr. 2.10. We have liſted our ſelves by name under this Captain; now if for fear we ſhall flie from our colours, it is perjury in the higheſt degree; and how ſhall we be able to look Chriſt in the face another day?**Summum crede nefas, &c. Juvenal. ſat. 10. That oath which is not kept inviolably, ſhall be puniſhed infallibly; where doth the flying roule of curſes light, but in the houſe of him that ſweareth falſly†.**Zach. 5.4.Zech 5:4.

6. Our ſufferings are light. 2 Cor. 4.17. This light 6affliction, &c. It is heavy to fleſh and blood, but it is light to faith; affliction is light in a three-fold reſpect.

1. It is light in compariſon of ſin; he that feels ſin heavy, feels ſuffering light; ſin made Paul cry out, O wretched man that I am! Rom. 7. He doth not cry out of his iron chain, but of his ſin; the greater noiſe drowns the leſſer; when the Sea roars, the Rivers are ſilent; he that is taken up about his ſins, and ſees how he hath provoked God, thinks the yoke of affliction light, Micah 7.9.

2. Affliction is light in compariſon of hell; what is perſecution to damnation? what is the fire of Martyrdom to the fire of the damned? it is no more than the pricking of a pin to a deaths wound. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Pſal. 90.11. Chriſt himſelf could not have born that anger, had he not been more than a man.

p. 3963. Affliction is light in compariſon of glory; the weight of glory makes perſecution light; if ſaith Chryſoſtom, the torments of all the men in the world could be laid upon one man, it were not worth one houres being in heaven; and if perſecution be light, we ſhould in a manner ſet light by it; let us neither faint through unbelief, nor fret through impatience.

77. Our ſufferings are ſhort. 1 Pet. 5.10. After ye have ſuffered awhile; or as it is in the Greek, foreign, a little; our ſufferings may be laſting, not everlaſting; affliction is compared to a cup, Lam. 4.21. The wicked drink of a Sea of wrath, which hath no bottom, it will never be emptied; but it is only a cup of Martyrdom, and God will ſay, Let this cup paſs away. Pſal. 125.3. The rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt upon the lot of the righteous; the rod may be there, it ſhall not reſt; Chriſt calls his ſufferings an houre, Luke 12.53. Can we not ſuffer one houre? perſecution is aſpera, but brevis; though it hath a ſting to torment, yet it hath a wing to flie: Iſa. 35.10. Sorrow ſhall flie away; it is but awhile when the Saints ſhall have a Writ of eaſe granted them, they ſhall weep no more, ſuffer no more; they ſhall be taken off the torturing wrack, and laid in Chriſts boſome; the people of God ſhall not alwayes be in the iron Furnace, a year of Jubile will come; the water of perſecution like a Land-flood, will ſoon be dried up.

88. While we ſuffer for Chriſt, we ſuffer with Chriſt. Rom. 8.17. If we ſuffer with him, &c. Jeſus Chriſt bears part of the ſuffering with us; oh ſaith the Chriſtian, I ſhall never be able to hold out; but remember thou ſuffereſt with Chriſt, he helps thee to ſuffer. As our bleſſed Saviour ſaid, John 16.32. I am not alone, the Father is with me: So a believer may ſay, I am not alone, my Chriſt is with me, he bears the heavieſt end of the p. 397Croſs. 2 Cor. 12.9. My grace is ſufficient for thee. Deutr. 33.27. Underneath are the everlaſting arms; if Chriſt put the yoke of perſecution over us, he will put his armes under us; the Lord Jeſus will not only crown us when we conquer, but he will enable us to conquer; when the Dragon fights againſt the godly, Chriſt is that Michael which ſtands up for them, and helps them to over-come, Dan. 12.1.

9. He that refuſeth to ſuffer perſecution, ſhall never 9be free from ſuffering,

1. Internal ſufferings; he that will not ſuffer for conſcience, ſhall ſuffer in conſcience; thus Francis Spira, after he had for fear abjur'd that doctrine which once he profeſſed, was in great terrour of minde, and became a very Anatomy; he profeſſed he felt the very pains of the damned in his ſoul; he who was afraid of the ſtake, was ſet upon the wrack of conſcience.

2. External ſufferings. Pendleton who refuſed to ſuffer for Chriſt, not long after, his houſe was on fire, and he was burned in it; he who would not burn for Chriſt, was afterwards made to burn for his ſins.

3. Eternal ſufferings: Jude 7. Suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

10. Theſe preſent ſufferings cannot hinder a man 10from being bleſſed. Bleſſed are they that are perſecuted, &c. We think beati divites, bleſſed are they that are rich, nay, but bleſſed are they that are perſecuted. Jam. 1.12. Bleſſed is the man that endures temptation. 1 Pet. 3.14. If ye ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, happy are ye.

That perſecution cannot hinder us from being bleſſed, I ſhall prove by four demonſtrations.

1. They are bleſſed, who have God for their God. Pſal. 144.15. Happy is that people whoſe God is the Lord; p. 398but perſecution cannot hinder us from having God for our God. Dan. 3.17. Our God is able to deliver us; though perſecuted, yet they could ſay, Our God; therefore perſecution cannot hinder us from being bleſſed.

2. They are bleſſed whom God loves, but perſecution cannot hinder the love of God. Rom. 8.35. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall perſecution? The Goldſmith loves his gold as well when it is in the fire, as when it is in his bag; God loves his children as well in adverſity, as in proſperity. Rev. 3.19. As many as I love I rebuke; God viſits his children in priſon. Acts 23.11. Be of good chear, Paul. God ſweetens their ſufferings. 2 Cor. 1.5. As the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth. As the mother having given her childe a bitter pill, gives it afterwards a lump of ſugar; perſecution is a bitter pill, but God gives the comforts of his Spirit to ſweeten it; if perſecution cannot hinder Gods love, then it cannot hinder us from being bleſſed.

3. They are bleſſed for whom Chriſt prays, but ſuch as are perſecuted, have Chriſt praying for them. John 17.12. Keep through thy own Name thoſe whom thou haſt given me; which prayer, though made for all believers, yet eſpecially for his Apoſtles, which he fore-told ſhould be Martyrs, John 16.2. Now if perſecution cannot hinder Chriſts prayer for us, then it cannot impede or obſtruct our bleſſedneſs.

4. They are bleſſed that have ſin purged out; but perſecution purgeth out ſin, Iſa. 27.9. Hebr. 12.11. Perſecution is a corroſive to eat out the proud fleſh, it is a Fan to winnow us, a fire to refine us; perſecution is the phyſick God applies to his children, to carry away their ill humours; that ſurely which purgeth out ſin, cannot hinder bleſſedneſs.

p. 39910. The great ſuffering conſideration is the glorious 10reward which follows ſufferings; their's is the Kingdom of heaven; the hope of reward ſaith Saint Baſil, is very powerful and moving. Moſes had an eye at the recompence of reward, Hebr. 11.26. yea, Chriſt himſelf, Hebr. 12.2. Many have done great things for hope of a temporal reward; Camillus when his Countrey was oppreſſed by the Galls, ventured his life for his Countrey to purchaſe fame and honour; if men will hazard their lives for a little temporal honour; what ſhould we do for the reward of glory? A Merchant, ſaith Chryſoſtom, doth not mind a few ſtorms at Sea, but he thinks of the emolument and gain when the ſhip comes fraught home; ſo a Chriſtian ſhould not be over-ſolicitous about his preſent ſufferings, but think of the rich reward when he ſhall arrive at the heavenly Port. Great is your reward in heaven†, Ver. 12. The Croſs is a golden Ladder,**Noli attendere quá iturus ſis, ſed quo venturus. Aug. by which we climb up to heaven; a Chriſtian may loſe his life, but not his reward; he may loſe his head, but not his crown; if he that gives a cup of cold water, ſhall not loſe his reward, then much leſs he that gives a draught of warm blood; the reward of glory may ſweeten all the waters of Marah, it ſhould be a ſpur to Martyrdom.

Caution. Not that we can merit this reward by our ſufferings. Rev. 2.10. I will give thee a Crown of life. The reward is the Legacy which free-grace bequeaths. Alas, what proportion is there between a drop of blood, and a weight of glory? Chriſt himſelf as he was man only (ſetting aſide his Godhead) did not merit by his ſufferings: For 1. Chriſt as he was man, only was a creature; now a creature cannot merit from the Creator. 2. Chriſts ſufferings as he was man only, were finite, therefore could not merit infinite glory; indeed as p. 400he was God, his ſufferings were meritorious; but conſider him purely as man, they were not. This I urge againſt the Papiſts; if Chriſts ſufferings as he was man only, (though as man, he was above the Angels) could not merit; then what man upon Earth, what Prophet or Martyr is able to merit any thing by his ſufferings?

But though we have no reward ex merito, by merit, we ſhall have it ex gratiâ, by grace; ſo it is in the Text, Great is your reward in heaven. The thoughts of this reward ſhould animate Chriſtians**foreign. Ignat.. Look upon the Crown, and faint if you can; the reward is as far above your thoughts, as it is beyond your deſerts; a man that is to wade through a deep water, fixeth his eyes upon the firm Land before him; while Chriſtians are wading through the deep waters of perſecution, they ſhould fix the eyes of their faith on the Land of promiſe; great is your reward in heaven. They that bear the Croſs patiently, ſhall wear the Crown triumphantly.

Chriſts ſuffering Saints ſhall have greater degrees in glory, Matth. 19.28. God hath his higheſt ſeats, yea, his Thrones for his Martyrs; it is true, he that hath the leaſt degree of glory, a door-keeper in heaven, will have enough; but as Joſeph gave to Benjamin a double meſs above the reſt of his brethren, ſo God will give to his ſufferers a double portion of glory; ſome orbs in heaven are higher, ſome ſtars brighter; Gods Martyrs ſhall ſhine brighter in the heavenly Horizon.

Oh often look upon the recompence of reward; not all the ſilks of Perſia, the ſpices of Arabia, the gold of Ophir, can be compared to this glorious reward: How ſhould the thoughts of this whet and ſteel us with courage in our ſufferings! when they threatned Baſil with baniſhment, he comforted himſelf with this, that he p. 401ſhould be either under heaven, or in heaven**Aut ſub coelo, aut in coelo.. It was the hope of this reward which did ſo animate thoſe Primitive Martyrs, who when there was incenſe put into their hands, and there was no more required of them for the ſaving of their lives, but to ſprinkle a little of that incenſe upon the Altar in honour of the Idol, they would rather dye than do it; this glorious reward in heaven is called a reigning with Chriſt. 2 Tim. 2.12. If we ſuffer, we ſhall reign with him. Firſt Martyrs, then Kings. Julian honoured all thoſe who were ſlain in his battels, ſo doth the Lord Jeſus; after the Saints Crucifixion follows their Coronation, they ſhall reign. The wicked firſt reign, and then ſuffer; the godly firſt ſuffer, and then reign. The Saints ſhall have an happy reign, it ſhall be both peaceable and durable; who would not ſwim through blood to this Crown? who would not ſuffer joyfully? Chriſt ſaith foreign, be exceeding glad, Ver. 12. The Greek word ſignifies to leap for joy**G…ſticulationem ſonat laetantis. Eraſm.; Chriſtians ſhould have their ſpirits elevated and exhilarated, when they contemplate the weight of glory.

11. If you would be able to ſuffer, pray much, beg 11of God to cloath you with a ſpirit of zeal and magnanimity. Phil. 1.29. To you it is given in the behalf of Chriſt, not only to believe on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake. It is a gift of God to be able to ſuffer,foreign. pray for this gift; do not think you can be able of your ſelves to lay down life and liberty for Chriſt; Peter was over-confident of himſelf. John 13.37. I will lay down my life for thy ſake; but Peters ſtrength undid him; Peter had habitual grace, but he wanted auxiliary grace; Chriſtians need freſh gales from heaven; pray for the Spirit to animate you in your ſufferings; as the fire hardens the Potters Veſſel, which is at firſt weak and limber; ſo the fire of the Spirit hardens men againſt ſufferings; pray p. 402that God will make you like the Anvil, that you may bear the ſtroaks of perſecutors with invincible patience.