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…

Doct. Afflictions should not, nay cannot hinder the obedience of the faithful.

Doct. Afflictions should not, nay cannot hinder the obedience of the faithfull.

The text doth not say, let him take up his cross and leave me, no, but take up his cross and follow me; as who should say, persecution will stand with ⟨p. 94⟩perseverance in obedience, Christ and a cross accord, Numb. 14.24.¹ the Lord himself speaks of Galeb, that he followed him fully; the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt, were driven into the wilderness, and were in crowds of extremity; famine on the one side, the enemy pursuing on the other, yet Caleb followed God fully, nothing hindered him from following God, Psal. 44.17.18.19.² Thou hast cast us into the place of Dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death, yet we have not forgotten thee, &c. Dan. 6.10.³ when the King had made a decree and sealed it, was Daniel daunted? did he start aside? no, he set open his window, that though all the canon shot was about his ears, though the decree was sealed and gone out, yet Daniel was the same man, Acts 4.19.⁴ when the Scribes and Pharisees were violent, the Apostles were resolute, when they had been forewarned, they answered, whether it were fittest to obey God or man, judge ye: and in the 29. verse, the bolder they were in persecuting, the bolder they were in suffering. Birds will sing in storms, so Gods birds will sing cheerfully in the greatest storm of persecution.