But because persecutions do not cease, to be grievous, and bitter unto us, mark how this cometh to pass, & by what means Christians might strengthen them selves to patience, even to yield constantly their life for Gods verity the text which we have recited,1 when it shall be under stood, is sufficient enough for to induce us to the same, Let us go out of the country (saith the apostle) after the Lord Jesus, bearing his reproach, In the first part, he exhorteth us, although the swords be not ready drawn ⟨p. 6⟩upon us, nether the fires kindled to burn us, that we can not truly be joined to the son of God, whilst that we be engrafted in this world,2 wherefore it is requisite that a christian person being him self at rest, hath always one foot lift up to go to battle, and not only that, but that he hath his affection withdrawn from the world, albeit the body dwelleth here. Although this seemeth to us a rude thing, at the first looking, yet we should be well contented with this saying of S. Paul, 3which is that we are called and appointed to suffer, as who would say, that the condition of our Christianity, is in such sort, that we must pass by this way, if we will follow Jesus Christ, In the mean while for to comfort our infirmity, and to make sweet the tediousness and sorrowfulness,4 which persecutions might bring us, behold a good recompense, which is, that we in suffering for the Gospel do follow as it were, step after step, the son of God, and we have him for our guide, if it had been said simply of us, that for to be Christians, we must pass through the shames of the world, and must come courageously ⟨image 8⟩unto death, as many times, & as often as it shall please God, we might have (as it seemeth) some collars to reply, that this is a thing very strange to make on stray away.5 But where it is commanded us to follow the Lord Jesus, his conduct is too good and honourable for us to refuse. Now to the end that we might be the better moved, it is not only said, that Jesus goeth before us as our captain, but also that we be made like to his image, as S.
But because persecutions doe not cease, to be grieuous, and bitter vnto vs, marke how this commeth to passe, & by what meanes Christians might strengthen them selues to patience, euen to yeeld cōstantly their life for Gods verity the text which we haue recited,1 when it shal be vnder stood, is sufficient inough for to induce vs to the same, Let vs go out of the country (saith the apostle) after the Lorde Iesus, bearing his reproche, In the first parte, he exhorteth vs, although the swords be not redie drawn ⟨p. 6⟩vppon vs, nether the fires kindled to burn vs, that we can not truelie be ioyned to the sonne of God, whilest that we be engraffed in this worlde,2 wherfore it is requisite that a christian person being him selfe at rest, hath alwayes one foote lift vp to go to battayle, and not onely that, but that hee hath his affection withdrawne from the worlde, albeit the body dwelleth here. Although this seemeth to vs a rude thing, at the first looking, yet we shoulde bee well contented with this saying of S. Paul, 3which is that we are called and appointed to suffer, as who woulde say, that the condition of our Christianity, is in such sorte, that we must passe by this way, if we will follow Iesus Christe, In the meane while for to comfort our infirmitie, and to make sweete the tediousnesse and sorowfulnesse,4 whiche persecutions might bring vs, beholde a good recompence, which is, that we in suffering for the Gospell doe follow as it were, step after step, the sonne of God, and we haue him for oure guide, if it had beene sayde simplye of vs, that for to bee Christians, wee must passe through the shames of the worlde, and must come courageously ⟨image 8⟩vnto death, as many times, & as often as it shall please God, wee might haue (as it seemeth) some coulers to reply, that this is a thing very straunge to make on stray away.5 But where it is commāded vs to followe the Lord Iesus, his conduct is too good and honorable for vs to refuse. Now to the end that we might be the better moued, it is not only sayde, that Iesus goeth before vs as our captaine, but also that we be made like to his image, as S.
- 1Heb. 13.
- 2A person of God must have his affection drawn from the world.A person of God must haue his affectiō drawn from the world.
- 31. Thes. 3.
- 4Note our comfort in persecution.
- 5We must be like to the image of Christ.VVe must be like to the image of Christe.
