Armor of Proof 2, Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV.
SEcondly, We may learn from the originall of this enmity, that to be without reproaches and perſecutions, we may rather wiſh then hope. For what peace can we look for, between the ſeed of the ſerpent and the ſeed of the woman, ſeeing God himſelf from the beginning hath ſet them at enmity: yea once to expect it, were an effect of frenzy not of hope.
Thirdly, From the continuance of it in all ages; and in that all the godly that have gone before us have been envied, hated, traduced, nick-named and perſecuted by wicked men, and all that come after us ſhall be: let no particular member of the Church, look to fare better then the whole body. We ſee the Patriarks went this way, the Prophets this way, the Apoſtles this way, the Martyrs this way; this way went all the Saints and ſervants of God, and do we look for an eaſier way. Yea if the deareſt of Gods children in former ages, have ſuffered ſo much for Chriſt, been put to ſuch cruell deaths and torments for keeping of a good conſcience: let us praiſe the Lord who hath dealt with us far otherwiſe: and pray for good Magistrates, to whom next under God we owe the thanks. Yea if our fore-fathers ſo willingly underwent thoſe fiery trials, let none for ſhame ſhrink under the burthen of an airy triall only. For he will never endure a blow, that cannot concoct a foul word: He that is diſcouraged, and made to return with an Iſhmaelitiſh perſecution of the tongue, how would he endure a Spaniſh Inquiſitian, or thoſe Marian times? He that is ſo frighted with a ſquib, how would he endure the mouth of a Cannon?
Fourthly, If our Saviour himſelf ſuffered ſo much and ſo many wayes as he did, being the only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth: Let none of us hope to be free from ſuffering, or think it a ſtrange thing when he doth ſuffer for well doing. For the diſciple is not above his Maſter, nor the ſervant above his Lord: If they have perſecuted Chriſt, they will perſecute you alſo, Joh. 15.20. If they have called the Maſter of the houſe Belzebub, how much more them of his houſhold, Matth. 10.25. Yea ſenceleſſe were it once to think, that the ſame enmity which ſpared not to ſtrike at the head, will forbare the weakeſt and remoteſt limbe. It was the lot of Chriſt, and muſt be of all his followers, to do good and ſuffer evil. Nor can we elſe be conformable to Chriſt our head, or be like our elder brother; who was conſecrated through afflictions: and we muſt ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo glorified with him, Rom. 8.17. Yea, hereunto we are called, ſaith St Peter; For Chriſt alſo ſuffered for us, leaving us an example that we ſhould follow his ſteps, 1 Pet. 2.21. Suffering is the way to reigning: through many tribulations muſt we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Acts 14.22. Even as Chriſt had his paſſion before his aſſention, and bare his croſſe before he ware his Crown.
And what greater promotion can fleſh and bloud be capable of, then a conformity to the Lord of glory? Who would not be ambitious of the ſame entertainment which Christ himſelf had? Chriſt wore a Crown of thorns for me, and ſhall I grutch to ware this paper cap for him, ſaid John Hus when they put one upon him, that had ugly devils painted on it, with the Title of Hereſie. And what ſaid a French Martyr, when a rope was put about his fellow, Give me that gold chain, and dub me a Knight of that Noble Order.
Wherefore arm thou us O God, with an expectation of that evil which we cannot avoid: yea make thou us as ſtrong as Satan and his inſtruments are malicious, and then let them do their worſt.
Fifthly, If the brother perſecute the brother, the ſon the father, the parent the childe, the husband his wife, the diſciple his Lord: think it not ſtrange to be perſecuted of any; for they which are not perſecuted are perſecutors themſelves.