A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

By which he shows what is that state of Gods church in this world, namely, to be under the cross: and the members thereof must not be companions of peace and ease, but copartners in affliction and tribulation. And therefore Christ teacheth those which will be his Disciples these lessons. First, to deny themselves, to take up his cross daily and to follow him. And because of this estate, the church in this world is called The Militant Church, being in continual fight against the devil and his instruments. The consideration whereof is of special use: For we in this land have had peace and quietness for many years without persecution, which we must acknowledge for a special blessing vouchsafed to us for this end, that now in the time of peace we might prepare our selves against the day of trial. For seeing the estate of the church is to be under afflictions; we are all in duty bound to wait continually when God will call us out to suffer for his sake. No man can define the time, or the manner of our trial▪ but yet that it will come we must resolve; because of the usual estate of the church. God hath for a long time sent forth labourers into his harvest, whereby no doubt many sheaves are gathered into the Lords barn. Now after this long gathering there will come a day of ••••ing▪ The Lord will take into his hand the […] of affliction, and put it into his corn, and thereby try the chaff from the wheat. It stands us therefore in hand to prepare our selves in this time of peac•, that we may be found good corn in the Lords sieve, and not chaff, which must be cast into unquenchable fire.

By which he shews what is that state of Gods church in this world, namely, to be vnder the crosse: and the members thereof must not bee companions of peace and ease, but copartners in affliction and tribulation. And therefore Christ teacheth those which will bee his Disciples these lessons. First, to deny themselues, to take vp his crosse daily and to follow him. And because of this estate, the church in this world is called The Militant Church, being in continuall fight against the diuell and his instruments. The consideration whereof is of speciall vse: For we in this land haue had peace and quietnes for many yeares without persecution, which wee must acknowledge for a speciall blessing vouchsafed to vs for this end, that now in the time of peace wee might prepare our selues against the day of triall. For seeing the estate of the church is to bee vnder afflictions; wee are all in duty bound to waite continually when God will call vs out to suffer for his sake. No man can define the time, or the manner of our triall but yet that it will come we must resolue; because of the vsuall estate of the church. God hath for a long time sent foorth labourers into his haruest, whereby no doubt many sheaues are gathered into the Lords barne. Now after this long gathering there will come a day of ing The Lord will take into his hand the of affliction, and put it into his corne, and thereby try the chaffe from the wheat. It stands vs therfore in hand to prepare our selues in this time of peac, that wee may bee found good corne in the Lords sieue, and not chaffe, which must be cast into vnquenchable fire.