even in the very bitterness and extremity of them, if thou cast the enlightened eye of thy soul upon such places and promises as these: 1. Cor. 10. 13. Heb. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 28. Heb. 12. 6. 2. Cor. 4. 17. Isaiah 63. 9. and the 43. 2. and then reflect upon thy afflicted self, thou mayest, by the marvellous work of faith, draw a great deal of joy from them. A patient submission unto▪ and fruitful exercise under Gods visiting hand, is an unfallible demonstration that thou art a son, and not a bastard. Is there then not more sweetness in those aafflictions, which are evident marks thou art in the right way to Heaven; then in worldly pleasures, which clearly remonstrate to thy conscience, that thou art posting towards Hell? Hence it was, that the Apostles rejoiced, being bbeaten, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus: that Paul and Silas sung in prison at midnight: that Ignatius cried; Let Fire, Racks, Pulleys, yea, all the torments of Hell come on me, so I may win Christ. 4. Nay, even contumelies and contempt; reproaches and scorn from the World for thy profession, which naturally much nettles a noble spirit, do crown thy head, and should fill thy heart with abundance of glory, blessedness and joy. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye, saith Peter: for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you, 1. Pet. 4. 14. Blessed are ye, saith Christ himself, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice, and be exceeding glad, Math. 5. 11. 12. Scurrilities and scoffs, all spiteful speeches, odious nick-names, lying imputations cast upon thee in this kind, by tongues which cut like ca sharp razor, are in their due estimate, and true account, as so many honourable badges (Let no cowardly Christian then decline them with wounding of his conscience) of thy Christian magnanimity, and resolute standing on the Lords side; and at the Throne of Christ will be certainly reputed as characters ⟨p. 370⟩of special honour, and remembrancers of thy worthy service, whereby thou shalt appear more acceptable and amiable in the eyes of Almighty God, and all that glorious triumphant Church above. 5. If thou rightly temper, and well weigh even thy sorest sorrow, and the very bleeding of thy heart for sin;
euen in the very bitternesse and extremitie of them, if thou cast the illightned eye of thy soule vpon such places and promises as these: 1. Cor. 10. 13. Heb. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 28. Heb. 12. 6. 2. Cor. 4. 17. Esay 63. 9. and the 43. 2. and then reflect vpon thy afflicted selfe, thou mayest, by the marueilous worke of faith, draw a great deale of ioy from them. A patient submission vnto▪ and fruitfull exercise vnder Gods visiting hand, is an vnfallible demonstration that thou art a sonne, and not a bastard. Is there then not more sweetnesse in those aafflictions, which are euident markes thou art in the right way to Heauen; then in worldly pleasures, which clearely remonstrate to thy conscience, that thou art posting towards Hell? Hence it was, that the Apostles reioyced, being bbeaten, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Iesus: that Paul and Sylas sung in prison at midnight: that Ignatius cryed; Let Fire, Rackes, Pullies, yea, all the torments of Hell come on mee, so I may winne Christ. 4. Nay, euen contumelies and contempt; reproaches and scorne from the World for thy profession, which naturally much nettles a noble spirit, doe crowne thy head, and should fill thy heart with abundance of glory, blessednesse and ioy. If ye be reproched for the Name of Christ, happy are yee, saith Peter: for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth vpon you, 1. Pet. 4. 14. Blessed are yee, saith Christ himselfe, when men shall reuile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of euill against you falsely for my sake; reioyce, and be exceeding glad, Math. 5. 11. 12. Scurrilities and scoffes, all spitefull speeches, odious nick-names, lying imputations cast vpon thee in this kind, by tongues which cut like ca sharpe rasor, are in their due estimate, and true account, as so many honorable badges (Let no cowardly Christian then decline them with wounding of his conscience) of thy Christian magnanimitie, and resolute standing on the Lords side; and at the Throne of Christ will be certainely reputed as characters
- aDuos filios habet homo, alterū castigat, alterum dimittit. Facit unus malè, & non corripitur: alter mox ut see moverit, colaphis caeditur, flagellatur. Unde ille dimittitur; & ille caeditur, nisi huic caeso haereditas seruatu•; ille autem dimissus exhaeredatus est? videt cum non habere spem, & dimittit cum ut faciat quod vult. August. in Psal. 91.Duos filios habet homo, alterū castigat, alterum dimittit. Facit vnus malè, & non corripitur: alter mox vt se mouerit, colaphis caeditur, flagellatur. Vnde ille dimittitur; & ille caeditur, nisi huic caeso haereditas seruatu•; ille autem dimissus exhaeredatus est? videt cum non habere spem, & dimittit cum vt faciat quod vult. August. in Psal. 91.
- bSi verbera, & vincula▪ quae omnium videntur tristissima, gaudiū pariun•; quid nos aliorum malorum moestos efficere poterit? Chrysost. in epist. ad Philip. Hom. 14. Religionis nostrae Apostoli ibant gaudentes à conspectu Concilij: quoniam digni habiti sunt pro nomine Jesus contumeliam pati. Nullus ergo locus moeroris esse debet, ubi tanta laetitia succedit. August. de conflict. vitior. & virt. c. 12. Tametsi flagella non gaudij sint occasiones, sed tristitiae & moeroris: nihilominùs flagella propter Deum, & causa propter quam flagellebantur, gaudium •is pa•iebant. Chrysost. Hom. 23. in Gen.Si verbera, & vincula▪ quae omnium videntur tristissima, gaudiū pariun•; quid nos aliorum malorum moestos efficere poterit? Chrysost. in epist. ad Philip. Hom. 14. Religionis nostrae Apostoli ibant gaudentes à conspectu Concilij: quoniam digni habiti sunt pro nomine Iesu contumeliam pati. Nullus ergo locus moeroris esse debet, vbi tanta laetitia succedit. August. de conflict. vitior. & virt. c. 12. Tametsi flagella non gaudij sint occasiones, sed tristitiae & moeroris: nihilominùs flagella propter Deum, & causa propter quam flagellebantur, gaudium •is pa•iebant. Chrysost. Hom. 23. in Gen.
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