A declaration of the true manner of knowing Christ crucified

The third benefit is, that all crosses, afflictions, & judgements whatsoever, cease to be curses and punishments to them that are in Christ, and are only means of correction or trial; because his death hath taken away not some few parts, but all and every part of the curse of the whole law. Now in all crosses, Christ is to be known of us on this manner. We must judge of our afflictions as chastisements or trials, proceeding not from a revenging judge, but from the hand of a bountiful and loving father; and therefore they must be conceived in and with the merit of Christ; and if we do other wise regard them, we take them as curses and punishments of sin. And hence it follows that subjection to Gods hand in all crosses, is a mark and ⟨p. 12⟩badge of the true Church.

The third benefit is, that all crosses, afflictions, & iudgements whatsoeuer, cease to be curses and punishments to them that are in Christ, and are onely meanes of correction or triall; because his death hath taken away not some fewe parts, but all and euery part of the curse of the whole lawe. Now in all crosses, Christ is to be knowne of vs on this manner. We must iudge of our afflictions as chastisements or trialls, proceeding not from a reuenging iudge, but from the hand of a bountifull and louing father; and therefore they must be conceiued in and with the merit of Christ; and if we doe other wise regard them, we take them as curses and punishments of sinne. And hence it follows that subiection to Gods hand in all crosses, is a marke and ⟨p. 12⟩badge of the true Church.

The last benefit is, that death is properly no death, but a rest or sleep. Death therefore must be known and considered not as it is set forth in the law, but as it is altered and changed by the death of Christ: & when death comes, we must then look upon it through Christs death, as through a glass: and thus it will appear to be but a passage from this life to everlasting life.