Special motives to bear the cross patiently are these following. 1. Because this is the good awill and pleasure of our heavenly Father, to exercise his children in this manner, as it were, to make good trial of them. 2. For that bChrist himself was to learn obedience by the things which he suffered, and we must be made cconformable unto him. 3. For that if we be dpartakers ⟨p. 63⟩with Christ in his passions, we shall be partakers also with him of his glorious resurrection. 4. For that it is needful and good for us always to have some cross, that having experience of our own weakness and frailty, we may be truly ehumbled: that so being humbled, we may learn to call for fstrength from God, that so we may have experience of his gpresence, and that by this experience we may receive hconfirmation of our hope. 5. For that we have need to learn the obedience iwe owe to God, that the rage of our corrupt nature be subdued and bridled, and that the sins we have committed, may be punished, lest we be kdamned with the world. 6. For that when we suffer persecution for righteousness sake, and specially for defence of the Gospel, we are not only not miserable, but also blessed and happy, by the ltestimony of Christ himself. All these reasons, as the matter requireth, are special strong motives unto patience under the cross.
Special motiues to beare the crosse patiently are these following. 1. Because this is the good awill and pleasure of our heauenly Father, to exercise his children in this maner, as it were, to make good triall of them. 2. For that bChrist himselfe was to learne obedience by the things which he suffered, and we must be made cconformable vnto him. 3. For that if we be dpartakers ⟨p. 63⟩with Christ in his passions, we shall be partakers also with him of his glorious resurrection. 4. For that it is needfull and good for vs alwayes to haue some crosse, that hauing experience of our own weaknesse and frailtie, we may be truly ehumbled: that so being humbled, wee may learne to call for fstrength from God, that so we may haue experience of his gpresence, and that by this experience we may receiue hconfirmation of our hope. 5. For that we haue need to learne the obedience iwe owe to God, that the rage of our corrupt nature be subdued and bridled, and that the sinnes we haue commited, may be punished, lest we be kdamned with the world. 6. For that when we suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake, and specially for defence of the Gospell, we are not only not miserable, but also blessed and happie, by the ltestimonie of Christ himselfe. All these reasons, as the matter requireth, are speciall strong motiues vnto patience vnder the crosse.
- aHeb. 12.5.
- bHeb. 5.8. & chap 12 2. 1. Pet. 2.21.
- cRom. 8.29.
- dRom. 8.17. 2. Tim. 2.12.
- ePsal. 119.71
- f2. Cor. 1.9.
- gRom. 5.4.
- h2. Cor 1.10 Rom. 5.4.
- iPsal. 119.71
- k1. Cor. 11.32.
- lMath. 5.10. 1. Pet. 3.14.
