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…

Use 1 If this be so, that these that will be followers of Christ, must take up his Cross, then this falls marvellous hard, especially upon two sorts.

Vse 1 If this be so, that these that will be followers of Christ, must take up his Crosse, then this fals marvellous hard, especially upon two sorts.

1 Such as will dwell in the house of our Saviour, but the bread of affliction, and the water of tears will not down with them, they must have dainties, or else nothing will down with them; these are unfit for our Saviour. Doth any one take a servant on this proviso, that he must never be corrected, and that he must fare daintily, whatsoever his Master hath? Nay, no man will take a servant on these terms, yet this is the madness of many, you are content to be Professors, but you must have dainties; you would be sons, but you would not be corrected; no, God takes none but whom he corrects. There is a generation that would be christians, but they would have no Cross: they christians? we have a name that we are alive, but we are dead; if a man should tell you, you are none of Christs, you would think it very ill: whereas your conscience tells you, you are not able to bear the breath of the wicked in scorns and scoffs, how then will you bear the weight of ⟨p. 76⟩all the Cross? it is with such men as with Hushai, they would be on the best side: if prosperity and peace forsake the Gospel, men forsake it, 2 Sam. 16.18.¹ Hushai comes to Absalom, and Absalom saith, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? nay saith Hushai, but whom the Lord and this people shall choose, him will I serve: so if Popery should come, if the Priests should ask men why they forsake their religion: nay, would many men say, but what religion the Pope and his shavelings shall choose, will I be of: oh if persecution should come, this Cross would scare many thousands,