The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

His passion is not only the ransom & whole amends for our sin, but it is also a most perfect example of all patience and sufferance. For if it behoved ¹Christ thus to suffer, & to enter into the glory of his father: how should it not become us to bear patiently our small crosses of adversity, and the troubles of this world? For surely (as saith sayn• ⟨p. 362⟩Peter) Christ therefore suffered, to leave us an example to follow his steps. And if we suffer with ²him, we shall be sure also to reign with him in heaven. Not that the sufferance of this transitory life should be worthy of that glory to come, ³but gladly should we be contented to suffer, to be like Christ in our life, that so by our works we may glorify our father which is in heaven. And ⁴as it is painful and grievous to bear the cross of Christ in the griefs and displeasures of this life: so it bringeth forth the joyful fruit of hope, in all them that be exercised therewith. Let us not so much behold the pain, as the reward that shall follow that labour. Nay, let us rather endeavour ⁵our selves in our sufferance, to endure innocently and guiltless, as our saviour Christ did. For if we suffer for our deservings, then hath not patience his perfect work in us: but if undeservingly we suffer loss of goods and life, ⁶if we suffer to be evil spoken of for the love of Christ, this is thankful afore God, for so did Christ suffer. He never did sin, neither was ⁷there any guile found in his mouth. Yea, when he was reviled with taunts, he reviled not again. When he was wrongfully dealt with, he threatened not again, nor revenged his quarrel, but delivered his cause to him that judgeth rightly. Perfect patience careth not what nor how