dIf a vain shadow, a lifeless image of virtue could prevail thus far with some: why may not true Faith and Christian Fortitude effect as much or much more with others?e If the contemplation of former pleasures, present applause, ⟨p. 69⟩or future fame, a vain blast only of mans breath, be able to carry men cheerfully through such unsufferable sufferings: how much more mayf the present assurance of Gods favour, together with the hopeful expectation of an eternal reward, be able to maintain a constancy of cheerful constitution in a Christian mans soul, amidst the heaviest afflictions that can here be endured? If the uncertain hope of recovery of unconstant health, and prolonging of a miserable life a while, andg not the shunning or shifting off, but the delaying only of death, be a means to cheer up the patient under the saw, or lancer, or searing iron of the Chirurgeon, though the pain he undergo seem unsupportable: how much more may the assurance of immortality (h the only true and sure health) and life everlasting shortly after to ensue, cheer up the faithful mans heart amidst as great or greater matters, if he be called thereunto? If the Spirit of man possest with some obstinate humour, can steel a mans heart (asi it is reported to have done) to such a contempt of torments, that no torture hath been able to interrupt his laughter, or to break off his derision of those that have tired themselves more than him, with torturing of him: what shall not the Spirit of God and Christ himself, by his Spirit, ⟨p. 70⟩be able to strengthen and enable those unto, kwhose hearts his Spirit, and he by his Spirit possesseth?l We therefore even glory, not rejoice barely, in afflictions, saith the Apostle,m because the love of God is shed forth into our hearts, by the Spirit that is given us. And,n I am able, saith the same Apostle, to do (yea and to endure also) any thing, (yet not by mine own strength, but) through Christ enabling me. oBeing strengthened with all might by his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering even with joyfulness.
dIf a vaine shadow, a liuelesse image of vertue could preuaile thus farre with some: why may not true Faith and Christian Fortitude effect as much or much more with others?e If the contemplation of former pleasures, present applause, ⟨p. 69⟩or future fame, a vaine blast only of mans breath, be able to cary men cheerefully through such vnsufferable sufferings: how much more mayf the present assurance of Gods fauour, together with the hopefull expectation of an eternall reward, be able to maintaine a constancie of cheerefull constitution in a Christian mans soule, amids the heauiest afflictions that can here be endured? If the vncertaine hope of recouery of vnconstant health, and prolonging of a miserable life a while, andg not the shunning or shifting off, but the delaying only of death, be a meanes to cheere vp the patient vnder the saw, or launcer, or searing iron of the Chirurgion, though the paine he vndergoe seeme vnsupportable: how much more may the assurance of immortalitie (h the onely true and sure health) and life euerlasting shortly after to ensue, cheere vp the faithfull mans heart amids as great or greater matters, if he be called thereunto? If the Spirit of man possest with some obstinate humour, can steele a mans heart (asi it is reported to haue done) to such a contempt of torments, that no torture hath beene able to interrupt his laughter, or to breake off his derision of those that haue tired themselues more than him, with torturing of him: what shall not the Spirit of God and Christ himselfe, by his Spirit, ⟨p. 70⟩be able to strengthen and enable those vnto, kwhose hearts his Spirit, and he by his Spirit possesseth?l We therefore euen glory, not reioyce barely, in afflictions, saith the Apostle,m
- dTanti vitreum, quanti verū margaritū? quis non libentissime tantum provero habeat erogare, quantum alij profalso? Tert. ad Martyr.Tanti vitreum, quanti verū margaritū? quis non libentissime tantum provero habeat erogare, quantū alij profalso? Tert. ad Martyr.
- eSi tantum terrenae gloriae licet de corporis & animi vigore, ut gladium, igne, crucem, bestias, tormenta contemnant sub praemio laudis humane; poffum dicere, modicae sunt islae passiones ad consecutionem gloriae •lestis & divinae mercedis. Tertull. ad Martyr.
- f[Greek or Hebrew]. Basil. homil. 4.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Basil. homil. 4.
- gMors enim differri potest, auferri non potest. Aug. de temp.
- hVera sanitas ipsa est immortalitas. Idem ibid. 74.
- iServus barbarus Asdrubalem quod Dominum suum occidisset, interemit. Cùmque comprehensus omni modo cruciaretur, laetitiam tamen quam ex vindicta ceperat in ore constantissimè retinuit. Val. Max. memor. l. 3. c. 3. Ultus enim Dominum, inter torm. nta exultavit, serenaque lae•tia crudelitatem torquentium vicit. Justin. hist. l. 44. Atque hic est de quo Sen. sup. epist. 76. Sed & Liv. de eode hist. l. 21. Comprehensus haud alio, quam si evasisset vuttu, tormentis quoque cùm lateraretur, eo fuit habitu oris, ut superante laetitia dolores, ridentis etiam speciem praebueri•.Servus barbarus Asdrubalem quod Dominum suum occidisset, interemit. Cùmque comprehensus omni modo cruciaretur, laetitiam tamen quam ex vindicta ceperat in ore constantissimè retinuit. Val. Max. memor. l. 3. c. 3. Vltus enim Dominum, inter torm. nta exultavit, serenaque lae•tia crudelitatem torquentium vicit. Iustin. hist. l. 44. Atque hic est de quo Sen. sup. epist. 76. Sed & Liv. de eode hist. l. 21. Comprehensus haud alio, quam si evasisset vuttu, tormentis quoque cùm lateraretur, eo fuit habitu oris, ut superante laetitia dolores, ridentis etiam speciem praebueri•.
- k