The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Doctrine. 2 The followers of Jesus Christ must cheerfully undergo what ever afflictions are allotted unto them: they must not have them whether they will or no. Afflictions are a burden, and we must not only lift at them, but take them up cheerfully, as if Christ had said, if you will walk uprightly, you shall have many blocks that you cannot leap over, but you must go away with them cheerfully. It is not only here required, but it is elsewhere commanded, Jam. 1.2.¹ Co•nt it all •oy when ye fall into divers temp•ation• ; not some joy when ye fall into some temptations, but all joy when ye fall into all temptations▪ It is the excellency of a Christian to under go affliction cheerfully. God loves not only a cheerful give•, but a cheerful sufferer, Matth ▪ •.² Wh• […] speak all manner of evil ⟨p. 69⟩against you (it is observable, wicked mens tongues are tipped from hell, they speak all manner of evil, and as the Apostle Saint James saith, are set on fire from hell) and what then? must you go into a corner and howl? no, rejoice and be exceeding glad, or, as the word carries, a man should leap for joy; nay, it hath been the behaviour of some worthies in former times that have been in the forefront of the battle, Acts 20.22.³ when it was foretold Paul that he should be bound at Jerusalem, mark what he replies, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem: that is, he was willing to undergo it before he had it; though troubles befell him, yet he went on cheerfully,