Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 1 · Sermon 5
A Suffering Faith
Diſcovered from Philip. 1. 29.
For unto you it is given in the behalfe of Chriſt, not onelyonly SERM. 5. At St. Maries Oxon. Decemb. 24. 1648.to believe on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake.
THe Apoſtle having encouraged the Philippians to contend for the faith foreign verſ. 27. prepares them for encounters with adverſaries verſ. 28. And in nothing terrified by your adverſaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition; but to you of ſalvation, and that of God: he tells them plainly what they muſt meet withall in the reaſon of the Text. The words containe three generalls. A Duty, An Object, An Ability to performe the ſame.
1. For the duty, and that is double, to believe, and to ſuffer, or Thetext divided.it's but one, even a ſuffering faith; 2. For the Object, its twice repeated, but one and the ſame, on Chriſt, and for Chriſt: Chriſt is the object of faith, and for his ſake we muſt be willing to ſuffer.
3. Here's the abilitie to performe both duties of believing, and ſuffering: To you it is given: None can believe in Chriſt, nor ſuffer for Chriſt, except it be given from above: Before I draw forth the Doctrine, I will inſiſt a while in the explanation of the words: It's ſaid foreign its gratia gratis data, & gratia gratum faci…ns. Faith is no hearb, that groweth in our gardens: but its a plant of our heavenly Father's plantation; Its an habit infuſ'd by the ſpirit, the ſupernaturall worke of God: No morall perſwaſion, no principle of nature, no volumes of glimmering Philoſophers can make diſcovery of this pearle; Nature is as dimme-ſighted, as a mole, in divine myſteries: Its beyond the kenne of a naturall man to diſcerne ſpirituall things, 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the ſpirit of God, for they are fooliſhneſſe unto him: neither can he know them, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned. As John gave Teſtimonie of Chriſt, John 3. 27. That a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from above; ſo it may be ſaid of Faith, except it be given thee from above; thou canſt not receive it. It followes foreign hence its evident that every faith is not a ſuffering faith: when the ſonne of man comes ſhall he find faith on the earth? A temporary, verball, dogmaticall, or hiſtoricall faith are every where to be found like the Sycamores in the valleyes for abundance: But a true, ſaving, juſtifying faith that will follow the Lamb where ever he goeth, be it to mount Calvary, as well as to mount Tabor, this is rare to be found. Here then is Shibboleth and Sibb…leth, a note of diſtinction between a common and a ſpeciall faith, the faith of the world, and the faith of the ſaints to be found in the text, not onelyonly to believe but to ſuffer. Then heres the object ſpecified foreign Its a true obſervation, but not more common then true: N…n poena ſed cauſa facit Martyrem; there are ſufferings for our faults mentioned, 1 Pet. 2. 20. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffetted for your faults, ye ſhall take it patiently? but if when ye doe well, and ſuffer for it, and take it patiently, this is acceptable with God: If ſo we may thank our ſelves. But to die in Chriſt, and for Chriſt makes the ſuffering glorious. Now how we may know, whether we ſuffer for Chriſt, you ſhall heare anon in the particular Application.
From the words thus divided and expounded, I ſhall collect this entire point of Doctrine, which I lay for the ground worke of my enſuing meditation.
That its the duty of true believers, not onelyonly to b…lieve on Chriſt, but Dectrine.likewiſe chearfully and readily to ſuffer for him, when he calls them thereunto. I interpoſe on purpoſe this limitation, when Chriſt calls; Becauſe we may not create evill to our ſelves nor run without a calling; ſo farre as we have a lawfull calling in doing or ſuffering we may expect Method propound…d.a bleſſing and no farther. Now that I may handle this Doctrine (as I deſire) in a profitable method, I ſhall uſe all plaineneſſe, and perſpicuity of ſpeech. I ſhall onelyonly propound three Heads of diſcourſe, ſomething by way of Illuſtration, ſomething by way of Confirmation, and ſomething by way of Application.
1. Firſt for Illuſtration, time would faile me to inlarge my ſelfe 1 For Illu…ation.in ſo great a cloud of witneſſes. The 11 of the Hebrewes is an Epitome of a larger Booke of Martyrs. Abraham did not onelyonly believe but ſuffer for Chriſt, Heb. 11. 8, 9, 10. By Faith Abraham when he was called to goe out into a place, which he ſhould afterwards receive for an in heritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went: by Faith he ſojourned in the land of promiſe, as in a ſtrange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Iſaac and Jacob, the heires with him of the ſame promiſe. For he looked for a City which hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God: Moſes did not onelyonly believe but ſuffer, Heb. 11. 24, 25. By faith Moſes, when he was come to yeares, refuſed to be called the ſonne of Pharaohs daughter, chuſing rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſinne for a ſeaſon, verſ. 37. They were ſtoned, they were ſawn aſunder, were tempted, were ſlain with the ſword: they wandered about in ſheepskins, and goat skins, being deſtitute, afflicted, tormented: Paul makes a catalogue of his ſufferings; 2 Cor. 1. 23, 24. Are they the Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt? I ſpeake as a foole, I am in labours more abundant: in ſtripes above meaſure: in priſons more frequent: in deaths oft: Of the Jewes five times received I fourty ſtripes ſave one. Paul's ſufferings were abounding ſufferings, 2 Cor. 1. 5. for as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. Review his proteſtations, Acts 21. 13. Then Paul anſwered; what meane ye to weepe, and to break mine heart, for I am ready, not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Jeruſalem for the name of the Lord Jeſus: and ſee what Doctrine he teacheth, Acts 14. 22. Confirming the ſoules of the Diſciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we muſt through much tribulation enter into the Kingdome of God… and ſee the confirmation of his doctrine, Acts 20. 22, 23. And now behold I goe bound in the ſpirit to Jeruſalem, not knowing the things that ſhall befall me there: ſave that the Holy Ghoſt witneſſeth in every City, ſaying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. Through all Centuries we read of the ſufferings of the Saints, Abel was the Protomartyr in the old Teſtament. Stephen in the new: Noahs arke toſſ'd up and down upon the ſurface of the waters was a Type of the militant Church; David was hunted as a Partridge in the wilderneſſe; ſee the inſcription of Pſal. 22. The paſſage of the Iſraelites through A…cloth ſhahar or the hind of the morning.the red ſea to Canaan was a type of the afflicted condition of the Church of God; Elias was perſecuted by Jezabel. The Prophet Eſaiah was ſawn aſunder: Jeremy was put into a dungeon, and afterwards ſton'd to death in Egipt: Ezekiel was ſlaine in Babylon: Micah thrown down a ſteep place, and his neck broke. All the Apoſtles (as Eccleſiaſticall writers mention) were put to death, excepting John, that was baniſhed into the Iſle of Patmos. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were Crucified: James was ſlaine by the ſword of Herod. Bartholomew preaching in Armenia, was beaten down with ſlaves, had his skin flead off, and afterwards beheaded; Thomas was ſlaine with a dart at Calamina in India: Matthew was run through with a ſpeare: James (ſirnamed the juſt) was killed with a …ullers club. Lebbeus was ſlaine by Agbarus King of Ed…ſſa. Simon and Jude (as ſome ſay) were kill'd in a tumult; Matthias was ſtoned, and Paul beheaded at Rome. Theſe primitive perſecutions were ſo bitter, (as Jerome ſaith) that there was not one day in a whole yeare, unto which the number of 5000 martyrs could not be aſcribed, excepting onelyonly the firſt day of January. Some tooke Nero (as Auſtine de Civitate D…i relates) to be the Antichriſt—Quaeſiſſimis ſuppliciis aff…cit Aug. de Civ. Dei Dei Tacitus.Chriſtianos, ſo Tacitus writes of him. All the foure Elements were witneſſes of that Monſters cruelty, ſome were drowned, others hanged, ſome were burnt to death, others were buried alive. Ignatius was torne in pieces with wild beaſts, and when he felt himſelfe grinding in their teeth, now (ſaith he) I am become meale for Chriſts tooth: Lawrence was fryed on a Gridiron: Vin entius had his body indented with wounds, then thrown into a dungeon, where the floare was ſpread with ſharpe ſhells, and his naked body was laid upon them: Romanus a Noble man, ſealed the profeſſion of the truth, with his blood, he accounted his Chriſtian profeſſion his chiefeſt nobility: Policarpus venerable for his yeares, and more venerable for his heroicall ſpirit in the cauſe of Chriſt, being preſt to recant, anſwer'd, fourſcore yeares I have ſerved Chriſt, and he never did me any hurt, and ſhall I now turne Apoſtate? Euſebius, Zozomen, Socrates, Theodoritus and our Martyrologers exaggerate the ſufferings of the Saints: and however Romiſh Rabſheka's brand our booke of Martyrs, wrote by an eminently Mr John Fox:learned and Godly man Mr Iohn Fox, for a Legend of lies, yet it ſhall be had in honour when their lying legends ſhall rot. Theres a famous Hiſtory of the Waldenſes, of the people of Merindall, and Cabryers, and of the Pariſian Maſſacre, even this laſt century, when the blood of the ſlaine ranne warme reeking down the ſtreets. Peruſe the Hiſtory of the late Marian quinquennium. Looke upon the mach…leſſe cruelty of the blood-ſucking Papiſts in Ireland: And all theſe are enſamples to us; we ſhould not (as the Apoſtle ſaith) 1 Pet. 4. 12. Think it ſtrange concerning the fiery tryall, which is to try you, as though ſome ſtrange thing happened unto you. Thus we may argue; Did ſuch worthies ſuffer? muſt we looke to be ſcot-free? are we better then they? can we plead priviledge to eſcape? others have began to us in Germany and Ireland, how ſoone we may drink of the ſame Cup, who can tell? I would not be a Foecialis, yet I dare not flatter; A blackcloud hangs over our head, how ſoon it may break and ſhowre down blood, and involve us in a new War we cannot tell. All that I ayme at, is to prepare you for what ever comes, for the worſt of times, ſeeing a ſtorme to make your garments faſt about you, and retire to a ſhelter, to get your Arke built before the deluge come; Praem…niti praemuniti; its the prudent mans practiſe to foreſee evill and hide himſelfe, ſo ſaith Solomon.
In the ſecond place; I ſhall give in the confirmation of the point: 2. The Doctrine confirmed by Reaſon.Amongſt others theſe foure Reaſons may confirme the truth delivered. 1. Becauſe perſecution and ſuffering is the ordinary lot and portion of true believers: The way to Canaan is through the wilderneſſe, and the way to Zion through the valley of Bachah: In Reaſon 1. Perſ…cution and and ſuffering is the Lot and Portion of Believers.the world (ſaith Chriſt) you ſhall have tribulations, Joh. 16. 33. Many are the troubles of the Righteous, Pſal. 34. 19. We muſt through many tribulations enter into the Kingd…me of God, Act. 14. 22. Every Diſciple of Chriſt, muſt take up his croſſe, Matth. 16. 24. Non eſt Chriſtianus qui non eſt Crucianus (ſaith Luther.) The Saints are killed all the day long, and accounted as ſheep for the ſlaughter, Rom. 8. 36. As ſoone as Paul was manifeſted to be foreign a veſſ…ll of choyce, he was ſhewed how great things he muſt ſuffer for Chriſt, Acts 9. 16. and upon experimentall knowledg he layeth down this poſitive truth, That all that will live Godly in Chriſt Jeſus ſhall ſuffer perſecution, 2 Tim. 3. 12. Now this comes to paſſe.
1. By the wiſedome of God: The Divine hand is in it. Perſecutors (ſaith Bernard) are Gods Goldſmiths, to put the righteous into the furnace of affliction, and take away their droſſe: ſo God permits perſecutors to try the faith, love, and patience of his ſervants, and oft times they doe a great deale of good even againſt their will, Jer. 9. 7. Therefore thus ſaith the Lord of Hoſts, behold I will melt them, and try them: for how ſhall I doe for the daughter of my people. The Sabaeans, Chald ans, and Satan were inſtruments of afflictions to Job, but God wrought good out of all, Jam. 5. 11. Behold, we account them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have ſeen the end of the Lord: that he is very pittifull and of tender mercy. Had it not been for afflictions, we had never read of the patience of Job: we ſhould not have left us upon record that excellent booke of Job.
2ly. This comes to paſs by reaſon of Satan's rage and malice; The great Dragon ſtands by ready to devoure the man-child of reformation: Hee is the envious man, the accuſer of the Brethren, the adverſary, the roaring Lion. Pliny ſpeakes of the ſcorpion, that every moment it puts forth his ſting; the Devill is that Scorpion that every moment aſſayes to doe miſchieſe; hee will caſt ſome of you into priſon, Rev. 2. 10.
3ly. This comes to paſs by reaſon of the malice of wicked-men, they are the Devils agents, they have ſuckt the poyſon of this old Serpent and ſwell with it, and are greatly enraged againſt the power of godlineſs. Ther's a deadly Fewd and Antipathy in wickedmen againſt the powerfull workings and breathings of God's ſpirit in the Saints. The great ones and Potentates of the world rages athe godly, Pſal. 2. 1. Why d…e the heathen rage? They hate them without cauſe: Tygers (as ſome report) rage at the ſent of fragrant ſpices, ſo the wicked at the ſavour of Godlineſs. As long as ther's any left of the ſerpents brood, there will not bee wanting oppoſition and perſecution againſt the godly. This is the firſt head of reaſons.
The 2d reaſon is becauſe Chriſt doth expect that the faith of his Reaſ. 2. Chriſt expects that the faith of his ſervants ſhould act extraordinarily:ſervants ſhould act ſo extraordinarily, as the faith of hypocrites and Reprobates, cannot come near it. Temporizers will profeſs that they have faith, but theſe follow Chriſt only for the loaves, while the Sun ſhines warme upon them, in Halcy…n dayes of peace and tranquility, but when it come to fire and faggot, or degradation and ſuſpenſion, foreign, they take offence. Now he that hath not learned Chriſt's Croſs, hath not learnt his Alphabet. The Queſtion was in another caſe ask't, Matth. 5. 47: what doe you m…re than others? and ſo in this caſe Chriſt will aske the queſtion, are you willing to gloriſy mee both by doing and ſuffering? are you willing not only to believe on me, but alſo to ſuffer for my ſake? Such Queſtions as there will touch the quick: Believers muſt ſtudy all advantages, and take all opportunities to promote the honour of Jeſus Chriſt, they have a battle to fight, they are to encounter with b…aſts of Epheſus, and ſonnes of Anak, they have a race to runne and many ſtumbling blocks are layd in the way: They have a fiery tryall to endure, a Croſs to beare, they muſt paſs through h…nor and diſhonor, good report and evill report: They muſt follow the Lambe where ever he goes, through thick and thinne, through a ſhowre of blood. Thy life muſt not be deare to thee when Chriſt cals for it: Bee not afraid of venturing limbes, liberty, life it ſelfe for him that layd down his life for thee. It was an heroicall ſpeech of Luther, that hee would goe to Wormes and preach the Goſpel there, though ev…ry Tile was a Devill to oppoſe him: and it was a gallant reſolution John Fox Act: Mon…: …: Maryes dayes:of John A…dly that holy Martyr, that if hee had as many lives, as hee had haires on his head, hee would looſe them all for Chriſt: Thus you ſee how the ſaith of Believers acts extraordinarily.
A 3d Reaſon is drawn from the conformity of Believers unto Reaſ. 3. Believers in a way of ſuffering are made conformable unto Chriſt:Chriſt, for Believers are made conformable unto Chriſt the head and Captaine of their ſalvation in a way of ſuffering, Heb. 2. 10. And ſayth the Apoſtle Peter: For hereunto were yee called becauſe Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an example that yee ſhould follow his ſteps, I Pet. 2. 21: and this is that which the Apoſtle did ſo earneſtly deſire to know, even the ſellowſhip of Chriſts ſufferings, Phil 3 10. Now between the head and the members, there ought to bee a conformity. Chriſt went into his glory by the way of ſufferings. Chriſt ſuffered in his name, hee was called a Wine-Bibb…r, a Deceiver, a Samaritan, an Heretick, a Devill: hee was ſcoft at, ſcorn'd, crucified; And his ſingular patience is upon record, 1 Pet. 2. 23: who wh…n hee was reviled, reviled not again; when hee ſuffered, hee threatned not, but committed himſelfe to him that judgeth righteouſly. Yea hee ſuffered in every place, hunger in the deſert, reſiſtance and reproaches in the temple, an Agony in the garden, contumelies in the judgment hall, crucifying without the city, likewiſe hee ſuffered in every part, his eyes ran down with teares, his temples with blood, his eares tingled with buffetings, and the hearing of their blaſphemies, and glowed with their reproaches, they afflicted his taſt with gall and vinegar, pierced his hands with nailes, his ſides with a ſpear, his heart was full of ſorrow, his ſoule of anguiſh: hee gave his back to the ſmiters, and his cheeks to thoſe that plucked off the hair, Iſai: 50. 6. Never was any ſorrow like unto his ſorrow, the wrath of God was powred upon him in a full bitter cup, and all was to this end, that hee might leave us an enſample to follow his ſteps. Heb. 12. 3. For conſider him that endured ſuch contradictions of ſinners againſt himſelfe, leſt yee bee wearied and faint in your minds. Now then let us expoſtulate the caſe, did our maſter ſuffer, and ſhall not wee his ſervants? did the head ſuffer, and ſhall not the members ſympathiſe? Learne therefore to follow Chriſt to Golgotha, and bee conformed to Chriſt in the vaile of his miſery, in his temptations, if ever you look to abide with him in his kingdome; Look for it, make account of it, whoever thou beeſt that art a Diſciple of Jeſus Chriſt; Thou ſhalt one time or other, drink of the Fathers cup of affliction in via, before thou ſhalt drink a cup of new wine in Patria; Doe you look for better uſage and entertainment; than Chriſt and all his witneſſes have met withall before you. Herein, Man hath a priviledge above Angels, hee hath a body and can ſuffer, and ſo hath not Angels.
The 4th and laſt reaſon ſhall be drawn from thoſe ſingular benefits Reaſ: 4. Drawn from the benefit of ſuff…ring for Chriſt: 1.that accrew unto God's people from their ſufferings. 1. Their ſuffering places are furnaces not to conſume, but to purify and refine them, Dan. 11. 35. And ſome of underſtanding ſhall fall to try them, and purge them, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, becauſe it is yet for a time appointed: and likewiſe the ſame Prophet tels us, Dand. 12. 10: many ſhall be purified and made white, and tryed: but the wicked ſhall doe wickedly: and none of the wicked ſhall underſtand, but the wiſe ſhall underſt and. To the ſame effect the Prophet ſpeaks, Zech. 13. 9: and I will bring the third part thorow the fire, and will refine them as ſilver is refined, and will try them as gold is tryed; and to purge them and to take away their dreſſe and Tinne, Iſ. 1. 25.
Suffering places are Gods framing houſes, wherin he faſhions and caſts his people into a new mold, hee makes their graces ſhine the the brighter, as candles doe by ſnuffing. Wee had not got ſo great knowledge of the patience of Job, and courage of Paul, Jeremy and Daniel, were it not for their ſufferings.
Their ſuffering places are as ſo many conſecrated Oratories, Act. 16. 25: and at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and ſang prayſes unto God: and the priſoners heard them. In priſon, Manaſſeh fell a praying. Hee got more good by a Priſon, then by a Throne: how ſweetly did the Martyrs pray in priſon? what raviſhing letters did Bradford, Philpot, Carel…ſſe and others write out of priſon? Men may impriſon the body, but cannot impriſon the ſpirit. The hearts of God's children are enlarged, though thir bodies are impriſoned.
The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is the ſupporter of the Saints in their ſufferings, and applyeth his cordial comforts to them in their languiſhing condition. An Angel comforted Jacob when he was afraid of his brother Eſau, and hee ſaw a viſion at Bethell. An Angel comforted Elias, when Jezabel had deſigned him to deſtruction: an Angel delivered Peter out of Priſon; and ſupporting grace ſtrengthened Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 9: and hee ſaid unto mee, my grace is ſuffici…nt for thee; for my ſtrength is made perfect in weakneſs; moſt gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Chriſt may reſt upon mee.
Suffering is the way to prevent ſufferings: ſuffering loſs of goods, liberty, life for Chriſts ſake, is the way to prevente eternal ſufferings.
For 6ly, and laſtly, ſuffering for and with Chriſt hath an ample reward, Rom. 8. 17: if ſo bee that wee ſuffer with him, that wee alſo may bee glorified together. Compare our ſufferings and glory together, verſ 18. For I reckon that the ſufferings of this preſent time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which ſhall be rev…aled in us, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17: For which cauſe wee faint not, but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renew…d day by day. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
And thus much for explication and confirmation of the doctrine, Applic.I now deſcend to particular application.
In the firſt place this reproves the paucity of thoſe that will ſuffer Ʋſe 1 for Jeſus Chriſt, you know how Peter boaſted of his courage, and how lamentably he was foyld: Many pretend valour and reſolution For reproof.for the truth, and are voces & praeterea nihil: Ther…s a notable ſtory in the book of Martyrs concerning Dr. Pendl…ton, and M. Saund…rs; Mr Saunders was timerous and affraid leſt, he ſhould deny Chriſt; The Dr was confident and ſayd (being a corpulent man) that each gobbet of fat in his body, ſhould fry at the ſtake, but this Braggadocian turn'd Apoſtate, and the other timorous Chriſtian ſuffered Martyrdome. I may not ſhoot at Randome, but levell at ſome particular perſons, theſe 'Ile ſingle out that are of all others unlikely to ſuffer when perſecution comes.
1. They that will not endure a leſſer evill for Chriſt, will never endure 1. They that will not endure a l…ſſer ſuffering are unlikely to to ſuffer greater.a greater; If thou haſt runn…; with footmen and they have weari…d thee, then how canſt thou contend with horſes? Jer. 12. 5. If thou canſt not brook a by-word, a nick-name, a ſcoff, or a reproach for Chriſt, how wilt thou reſiſt unto blood? Art thou loath to venture thy breath to plead the cauſe of God, how wilt thou venture thy life? when the water is but to the ancles, and then you will not wet your feet, how will you paſs over when it becomes a river? Bilney the Martyr tryed the fire with his finger: If thou canſt not endure the burning of thy finger, how wilt thou endure the burning of thy body? If a leſſer croſs foyl thee, how wilt thou grapple with a greater? If a reproach, a jear, the fear of diſpleaſing a Relation, carnal intereſts and ſelfiſhneſs, make thee flie of and apoſtatiſe, ſurely thou wilt never kiſs the ſtake, and welcome fire and fagot when Perſecution comes.
The glozing Hypocrite, and Machivilian Politician, will never 2. The Hypocrite and Polititian will not ſuffer.ſuffer for Chriſt; his Policy is not to follow Religion too cloſe in the heels, leſt it daſh out his brains; not to launch further in the deep, then he can come ſafe unto the Haven; his deſign is, not to diſcover his conſcience farther, then he can ſave his skin. This is the man that chooſeth ſin rather then affliction, Job 36. 21. The Hypocrite hath no ſure rooting, nor firm foundation, for he builds on the Sands: Superficial outſides, Popularity, Relations, Revolution of times, byaſs his motions, and ſtears all his practices, and not the glory of God, nor the love of Jeſus Chriſt.
The carnal Mamoniſt will not ſuffer for Chriſt. The world is his maſter, & he ſerves it, and makes it his Idol; and no man can ſerve two maſters: 3. The carnall Mamoniſt will not ſuffer.His Gold, Corn, Buildings, Dignities, Revenues, are his Gods; he ſets up theſe as the Idols and ſtumbling blocks of his own heart. Demas loved the world, and therefore deſerted the ſociety of the Apoſtles; Judas loved money, and therefore betrayed Jeſus Chriſt; The fooliſh Gadarenes preferred their Swine before a Jeſus; The young man preferr'd Treaſures on Earth, before Treaſures in Heaven, Mark 10. 22. And he was ſad at that ſaying, and went away grieved, for he had great poſſeſſions: The root of this lamentable choice was covetouſneſs, foreign, which (in the Apoſtles Character) is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which will become coveted after; they have errid from the faith, and pierced themſelves thorow with many ſorrows: The covetous man dreams of an Eternity upon Earth, he's earthed before his time; he will not forgoe his Oxen, his Farm, his Gold or Silver for Jeſus Chriſt; he'l follow Chriſt no farther then he may gain by, and make a good Market of him (as the people followed Chriſt for the loaves:) But if it come to the parting with ſome of his Idols of gold & ſilver, he'l not let them goe, he'l ſit on them, as Rachel did on the ſtuff. They are his Gods, and what hath he more? whoever you are, that are in love with the world, whoſe breath ſmells of earth, whoſe diſcourſe is earthly, and whoſe hearts are glued faſt to the Pelf of the world, and ſwallowed up with worldly intanglements, of all men, you are unlikely to ſuffer for Jeſus Chriſt: And as for you (the younger ſort are herein moſt faulty) that follow the faſhions of the world, the Antick, Exotick garbs, and weare ridiculous, monſtrous fowl heads of Hair, borrowing other folks Hair: I may thus argue with you, if you will not part with a faſhion of ill report, how will you part with your lives for Chriſt? Tertullian hath a ſaying, Timeo Tertul. lib. 3. de cultu Faeminarum.cervicem, &c. I fear that Neck, that hath on it a Neck-lace of Pearls, that it will not lay it ſelf down upon the block for Jeſus Chriſt.
4. The formal Profeſſor will not ſuffer for Jeſus Chriſt; theſe are 4. The formal profeſſor will not ſuffer for Jeſus Chriſt.the high-way hearers, mentioned, Matth. 13. 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and underſtandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was ſown in his heart: this is he which received ſeed by the way ſide. A formal Goſpeller, that doth all for form, will fly off and flinch when ſuffering comes: Many reduce Religion to a meer form, and come to the Ordinances as a faſhion and a cuſtom; and many Scholars come to Prayers and Sermons, becauſe they are engaged to it by local Statutes: But what doe they in their Studies? Doe they pray there in ſecret? I beſeech you chatechife every one his own heart, ask thy felf, Do I keep time and touch with God in private? Do I pray, when no eye of man ſeeth me? Doe I walk cloſely with God? how doe I carry my ſelf in my private addreſſes to God? Fly from Formality, beware of reſting on a formall out-ſide Profeſſion. Formaliſts are ſo odious, as that we may not aſſociate our ſelves with them, 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a form of godlineſs, but denying the power thereof, from ſuch turn away.
5. Your luke-warm La…diceans will not ſuffer for Chriſt: Theſe 5. Lukewarm Laodiceans will not ſuffer for Chriſt.halt between two Opinions, and have two Faces; they are of the worſt temper, neither hot nor cold; ſome calls them Ambidexters, other Neuters; ſome Ʋterques, ſome omnia: Theſe will not ſuffer for Chriſt, theſe will not ſtand for Religion when it's under Hatches: Many that pretend to this moderation, are much of this Laodicean temper, (Eraſmus like, hanging between Heaven and Hell; you cannot tell what to make of them, like cunning Gaimſters, who will ſtand by a great while, and then bet on the winning ſide: I would (ſaith the Spirit) that thou wert either hot or cold, Rev. 3. 15, 16. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, I would thou wert cold or hot: So then, becauſe thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will ſpue thee out of my mouth: Thoſe are either of Gallio's temper, that will not take pains in the work of God; or elſe with Agrippa, foreign in ſome ſmall things they will appear for Chriſt, ſo far forth, as it will not croſs ſhins with their ovvn Politick Deſigns: Of all others, theſe are the greateſt enemies to reformation, and becauſe they would comply with both ſides, God in Judgement will make them odious unto both.
Laſtly, Profane Libertines will not ſuffer for Jeſus Chriſt, theſe 6. Profane Libertines wil not ſuffer for Chriſtare enemies unto the Croſs of Chriſt, running headlong into all exceſs of riot; theſe are drunk with the Drunkards, and ſwear with the Swearers, how can theſe be put into any poſſibility of ſuffering?
For firſt, They will not bate a Luſt, forgoe a Corruption for Chriſt, how then can they ſuffer for him?
Secondly, They hate Chriſt and his Servants, now its love to Chriſt that onelyonly conſtrains us to ſuffer for him.
Thirdly, They cannot ſympathize with the ſufferings of Gods people; they are ſo far from being afflicted with them, that they rejoyce in their afflictions, and adde affliction unto affliction: They that are of this temper, will never ſuffer for Ieſus Chriſt.
The ſecond uſe ſhall be for Tryal and Examination, whether you Ʋſe 2. For Tryal and examination.have a ſuffering Faith, yea or no: Many ſprings move many to ſuffer, as a natural Conſcience, and a natural Pride, and ſtoutneſs of Spirit. A man may give his Body to be burnt, and yet want love to Ieſus Chriſt.
Here's the grand Queſtion: What's that Faith which will be a true Q. What's that faith which wil be a ſuffering faith? A Faith is a Chriſtians life.effectual ſuffering Faith?
For Anſw. 1. That Faith which is thy life amidſt all deaths, thy ſupply amidſt all wants, thy ſupportation & conſolation amidſt all troubles, thy meat and drink, & houſhold-ſtuff, thy Riches and Revenues, this will carry thee through ſufferings, that Faith which makes thee live upon Chriſt in all ſtraights, ſrovvns, croſſes, loſſes, and hardſhips, this will make thee undergoe the worſt of evils for him, who is the chiefeſt good: It's not ſaid that a man ſhall live by his Wits, Lands, or Labours, but by his Faith, Hab. 2. 4. The Juſt ſhall live by Faith.
2. That Faith which is rooted and grounded upon the love of Chriſt, will conſtrain thee to ſuffer for him: Love made Jacob endure 2. Faith is grounded upon the love of Chriſt.his hard ſervice chearfully, for his beloved Rachel: Love made Moſes wiſh himſelf to be blotted out of the Book of Life: And Paul wiſht himſelf Anathema for the Jews; none ſo ready to die for Chriſt, as the love-ſick Spouſe: Many waters cannot quench her love, Cant. 8. 7. Its love to Chriſt that will make thee willing to do and ſuffer any thing for him.
3. If thy Faith can carry thee well through the temptations of 3. Faith carryeth through temptations of Proſperity and Adverſity. Foelix ille, quem nec fortuita attollunt, nec adverſa deprimūt. Senec. 4. Faith keeps up the heart in the uſe of means.proſperity, it is probable that it will carry thee through the tryal of Adverſity: If Faith will keep thee from ſwelling in proſperity, it will keep thee from breaking in adverſity. 'Tis a ſtrong Stomack that will digeſt much Honey: It's a ſtrong Faith that will not be allured by the ſweetneſs, pleaſures and profits of the world: He's happy whom proſperity lifts not up, nor adverſity breaks.
4. That Faith will make thee ſuffer, that keeps thy heart up in the uſe of good means, even then when all things goe againſt thee: David then moſt repairs to the Sanctuary, Pſal. 73 17. Ʋntil I went into the Sanctuary of God, I knew it not, but hereby I underſtood their end: And ſee his behaviour at Ziglag, 1 Sam 30. 6. And David was greatly diſtreſſed: for the People ſpake of ſtoning of him, becauſe the ſoul of all the People was grieved, every man for his ſons, and for his daughters; but David encouraged himſelf in the Lord his God: Rabſhekah falls a railing, and Hezekiah falls a Praying. Obſerve well; if Faith keep you in love to, & frequent Exerciſe of holy Duties (though as yet you feel nothing coming in) yet ſtill continue in the practice of them, and dare in no caſe ſit looſe from them, but follow Chriſt from Ordinance to Ordinance, and enquire every where after your Beloved, this is that Faith queſtionleſs, that will carry you through ſufferings.
5. That Faith which purifies thy Conſcience, reforms thy Life, 5. Faith purifieth the heart.and reſigns thy Will wholly to the will of God, this will make thee ſuffer for Chriſt: OnelyOnly an holy unfained Faith will make thee to ſuffer: Such a Faith the Apoſtle had, which made him not be afraid of the King of Terrors, Phil. 1. 21. For to me to live is Chriſt, to die is gain.
That Faith will prove a ſound ſuffering Faith, that will engage thee to venture ſoul, eſtate and body, upon the free grace of God in Ieſus Chriſt: This will make thee to caſt thy burthen upon the Lord, and flie to him, as a Sanctuary, as a refuge from the Storm, and as a ſhadow from the heat: Examine whether thou canſt produce theſe Symptomes of thy Faith.
The third Uſe ſhall be for Exhortation: Be willing to undergoe Ʋſe 3. For Exhortation.any hardſhip, loſs or croſs for Jeſus Chriſt. Conſider what times you live in, what contempt is powred out upon thoſe great Ordinances of Divine Inſtitution, viz. Magiſtracy and Miniſtry: Perhaps God intends thee for a Martyr. A few preparations I conceive ſeaſonable.
1. Make account of ſuffering: We may fear God is bringing confuſion Prepar. 1. Make account of ſufferings.and deſolation upon the Kingdom: If we conſider the Ataxies and Anarchy's thereof, we may take up that complaint, Ezek. 19. 14. A fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, ſo that ſhe hath no ſtrong rod to be a Scepter to rule: this is a lamentation, and ſhall be for a lamentation. I neither profeſs my ſelf Statesman, nor Politician; neither do I intermeddle, out of my own Sphear and Calling, onelyonly as a Miniſter of God; I counſel you in the Language of the Holy Ghoſt, Jer. 6. 8. Be thou inſtructed, O Jeruſalem, l…ſt my ſoul depart from thee, leſt I make thee deſolate, a land not inhabited. Prepare for troubles and afflictions; for the end of one trouble may be the beginning of another, as when a man hath eſcaped a Beare, a Lyon meets him; and after he hath eſcaped the Lyon, and leans his hand upon the wall, a Serpent out of the Wall comes and bites him; know then, that you are fore-appointed unto ſufferings; ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Theſſ. 3. 3. That no man may be moved by theſe afflictions; for your ſelves know that we are apointed thereunto: Praecogitati mali, mollior ictus: Xeno ſuffering Ship-wrack, ſaid, Jam didici Philoſophari, By our ſufferings let us learn to be better Chriſtians.
The ſecond preparative, is to get a ſelf-denying ſpirit, 'tis ſelf Prepar. 2. Get a ſelf-denying ſpirit.that makes us ſhye of the Croſſe, ſelfe muſt be firſt denyed; Severall ſelfes muſt be denyed; ſelfe-opinion, ſelfe-counſels, ſelferighteouſneſs, ſelf-excellencies, ſelf-will, ſelf-comforts, ſelf…ends: All theſe ſelves muſt be denyed for Jeſus Chriſt; let it ſuffice onelyonly to mention theſe at preſent. I proceed to another Preparative: And that,
3. Is to ſet upon the practice of Mortification: The Apoſtle proteſteth Prepar. 3. Set upon the practice of Mortification.that he dyeth daily, 1 Cor. 15. 31. I proteſt, by your rejoycing, which I have in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, I die daily. Strive to get thy corruptions mortified, thy ill humors purged, thy affections crucified, thy filthy garments took away, and ſo thou wilt be better prepared to ſuffer: A great power muſt be given thee from above, over thy corruptions, before thou canſt grapple with a ſuffering. Violent Storms and Thunder clear the air, ſo ſtrong afflictions clear the heart by them; we are, as it were, by them powred from veſſel to veſſel: Read Jer. 48. 11. Moab hath been at eaſe from his youth, and he hath ſetled on his lees, and hath been emptied from veſſel to veſſel, neither hath he gone into captivity; therefore his taſte remained in him, and his ſent is not changed: Hereby the ill ſavour and diſtemper of our heart comes to be took away: Every affliction doth, as it were, preach to us a Sermon of Mortification: An unmortified man, and an unſanctified heart, will never ſuffer.
4. The laſt preparative, is ſtill to bear in minde the ſufferings of Prepar. 4. Bear in minde the ſuffering of the Lord Jeſus.our Lord Jeſus. Conſider his innocency, meekneſs and humility, often keep in minde the dying of Chriſt, an exact pattern for our imitation: Let not the Diſciple expect to be above the Maſter: The ornament of Chriſts Livery is perſecution. But I proceed to another Uſe, which
Is for direction: I ſhall onelyonly direct in two particular caſes.Ʋſe 4. For direction. Q. 1. When have we a call for ſuffering?
1. When have we call to ſuffer? 2. When we have a call, how muſt we behave our ſelves in ſuffering?
For the firſt of theſe: In this caſe I conceive we have a clear call.
1. When we have no warrant for active obedience: So the three A. 1. When we have no warrant for our active obedience.Children made choice of a hot Furnace, rather then they would worſhip Nebuchadnezzars Image, Dan. 3. 21. Then theſe men were bound in their coats, their hoſen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were caſt into the midſt of the fiery furnace. So Daniel made choice of the Lyons Den, rather then he would obey an ungodly command, Dan. 6. 16. Then the King commanded, and they brought Daniel, and caſt him into the den of ly…ns: The rule is infallible, Acts 5. 29. We muſt obey God, rather then man. The Martyrs choſe rather to embrace the flames, then to worſhip a breaden God of the Papiſts deviſing; we muſt rather ſuffer the greateſt puniſhments, then wound our conſciences with the leaſt ſin.
2, When it comes to this Dilemma, that either thou muſt ſuffer, 2. When either we muſt ſuffer, or Gods glory muſt ſuffer.or elſe Gods glory muſt ſuffer, then thou muſt determine to ſuffer any thing, rather then Gods glory ſhould ſuffer, rather then Religion ſhould lie at ſtake, or the Goſpel lie a bleeding: We muſt have a tender care of Gods glory, we muſt not be afraid to be good, we muſt not be aſhamed of Chriſt; diſpoſſeſs then this dumb devil, that makes thee ſilent, when Gods glory ſuffers.
If God have given thee ſuffering graces, as faith, love, zeal, and 3. When God hath given thee ſuffering Graces.patience, and a brave heroical ſpirit, aſſure thy ſelf they are not given in vain, to be buryed in a napkin, but for duty and employment. If God have given thee a Martyrs courage, thou muſt endure a Martyrs tryal: When God calls thee, he intends thee for a Souldier, but its to fight his battles.
The ſecond Caſe is, how we muſt ſuffer? leaſt we ſpoil a good duty in the miſcarriage, I will leave with you a few rules.Q. 2. How muſt we ſuffer? A. 1. We muſt ſuffer as Saints.
1. In ſuffering, be ſure that you ſuffer as Saints, and not as evil doers, Matth. 5. 10, 11, 12. Bleſſed are they that are perſecuted for righteouſneſs ſake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven: Bleſſed are ye, when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſly, for my names ſake: Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before you: And ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 2. 19, 20. For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conſcience toward God endure grief, ſuffering wrongfully; for what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye ſhall take it patiently? but if when ye do well, and ſuffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
2. Suffer prudently, Matth. 10. 16. Behold, I ſend you forth as 2. Suffer prudently.ſheep in the midſt of wolves; be ye therefore wiſe as ſerpents, and harmleſs as doves: Wiſdom and innocency are joyn'd together: Wiſdom is a neceſſary ingredient in ſuffering: When men raſhly bring evils upon themſelves, they looſe the glory of their ſufferings: And when men ſuffer, and are boiſterous, clamoring, and reviling, and reproaching ſuch and ſuch inſtruments, theſe do much diſcredit their ſuffering.
3. Chriſtians muſt ſuffer believingly: Faith acts, though the viſion 3. Suffer believingly.be dark, Faith approximates a promiſe, and amidſt Euroclydons ſtorms and tempeſts, can ſay, Nubecula eſt cito tranſitura.
4. Suffer patiently: By patience poſſeſs thy ſoul, Heb. 10. 36. 4. Suffer patiently.For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promiſe. Moral men have had great patienco: Do thou diſcover more patience that art a true Believer, ſay with good old Ely, It is the Lord, let him do what ſeemeth him good; and with David, Pſalm 39. 9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, becauſe thou didſt it; and with Hezekiah, Iſa. 39. 8. Good is the word of the Lord, which thou haſt ſpoken; he ſaid moreover, for there ſhall be peace and truth in my days.
5. Suffer joyfully, foreign, Rom. 5. 3. and James 1. 2. My 5. Suffer joyfully.Brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into divers temptations: The Apoſtle mentions this to their joy, Heb. 10. 34. For ye had compaſſion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the ſpoiling of your goods, knowing in your ſelves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring ſubſtance: So did the Apoſtles, Acts 5. 41. and they departed from the preſence of the councel, rejoycing that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his name.
6. Suffer profitably; labor to profit by the rod, to get corruption 6. Suffer profitably.purged out, and grace wrought in: Labor to ſuck ſweetneſs (as the Bee doth) out of bitter hearbs, and to eat honey out of the carcaſs af a Lyon: A wiſe man will gain by every diſpenſation of providence.
The fifth and laſt Uſe, in one word, is for Conſolation: Many promiſes Ʋſe 5. For Conſolation.are made to them, and they ſhall get the performance of them, Rom. 8. 17. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joynt heirs with Chriſt; if ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo glorified together, Matth. 19. 29. And 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. Luke 22. 28, 29. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations, and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: Let them comfort themſelves with theſe four Conſiderations.
1. Their ſufferings are for a moment onelyonly, but their reward is Conſid. 1. Sufferings are for a moment.eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17. For which cauſe we faint not, but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renew'd day by day: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding. and eternal weight of glory.
2. Their ſufferings are few, but there are many Manſions in Heaven.Conſid. 2. Their ſufferings are few. Conſid. 3. Their ſufferings are ſanctified.
3. Their ſufferings are ſanctified, and ſweetned by God, their Priſon is their Palace, their Chain their Glory, their Dungeon their Paradiſe.
4. In Heaven there's no more ſuffering, all tears ſhall be wip'd away from their eyes, and when the time of refreſhing ſhal come from the preſence of God, they ſhall rejoyce with joy unſpeakable, and full of glory.