Secondly, let us consider, that this Christian apology in the profession of the truth, and practice of all holy and Christian duties, is a matter of 1urgent necessity, which as nearly concerneth us, as the everlasting salvation of our souls. For they that will be Christs Disciples, must take up their cross daily, and follow him; and be contented, for his sake and the Gospels, to forsake kindred and friends, houses, lands, and life it self, if they be called thereunto. Now how shall we with patience and constancy endure for Christs sake, wounds and stabs, if we shrink for words and scoffs? How shall we ever hope to suffer racks and gibbets, fire and sword, for the profession of the truth, and the practice of Christian duties; if we be daunted with every small disgrace, and discouraged in them with reproachful names, and scornful taunts? Let us think with our selves, that if we cannot endure causeless shame before men, which is accompanied with true glory, how shall we be able to bear that everlasting shame and confusion of face, when as Christ shall be ashamed to acknowledge 2us for his, before his Father, his holy Saints, and blessed Angels, because we have been ashamed of him and his truth? Now that we may perform this duty, which is so necessary, with cheerfulness and delight, and contemn the derisions and scornings of graceless men, when they scoff at us for the performance of Christian duties, blushing for shame that we should be thus ashamed; let us consider, that when we are most derided of the wicked world, for the conscionable performance of any Christian duties, we are then most approved of God; and therefore when they seek to daunt us with their scoffs, and to drive us from our Christian hold with gibes and reproaches; let us oppose this as a shield of strength against them, saying unto our souls, My defence is 3of God, who saveth the upright in heart. Let us comfort and cheer our selves with the peaceable testimony of a good conscience, and our inward joy in well-doing; and with the applause of the holy Angels who look upon us, and the approbation and praise of all that fear God. Let us remember, that they are pronounced blessed by our Saviour, who are 4thus abused for righteousness sake, and that they shall reign with him in his glory, who have suffered with him in these disgraces:
Secondly, let vs consider, that this Christian apology in the profession of the truth, and practice of all holy and Christian duties, is a matter of 1vrgent necessity, which as neerly concerneth vs, as the euerlasting saluation of our soules. For they that will be Christs Disciples, must take vp their crosse daily, and follow him; and bee contented, for his sake and the Gospels, to forsake kindred and friends, houses, lands, and life it selfe, if they be called thereunto. Now how shall we with patience and constancy indure for Christs sake, wounds and stabs, if wee shrinke for words and scoffes? How shall wee euer hope to suffer rackes and gibbets, fire and sword, for the profession of the truth, and the practice of Christian duties; if we be daunted with euery small disgrace, and discouraged in them with reprochfull names, and scornefull taunts? Let vs thinke with our selues, that if we cannot indure causelesse shame before men, which is accompanyed with true glory, how shall we be able to beare that euerlasting shame and confusion of face, when as Christ shall be ashamed to acknowledge 2vs for his, before his Father, his holy Saints, and blessed Angels, because we haue been ashamed of him and his truth? Now that wee may performe this duty, which is so necessary, with cheerfulnesse and delight, and contemne the derisions and scornings of gracelesse men, when they scoffe at vs for the performance of Christian duties, blushing for shame that we should be thus ashamed; let vs consider, that when wee are most derided of the wicked world, for the conscionable performance of any Christian duties, we are then most approued of God; and therefore when they seeke to daunt vs with their scoffes, and to driue vs from our Christian hold with gibes and reproches; let vs oppose this as a shield of strength against them, saying vnto our soules, My defence is 3of God, who saueth the vpright in heart. Let vs comfort and cheere our selues with the peaceable testimony of a good conscience, and our inward ioy in well-doing; and with the applause of the holy Angels who looke vpon vs, and the approbation and praise of all that feare God. Let vs remember, that they are pronounced blessed by our Sauiour, who are 4thus abused for righteousnesse sake, and that they shall raigne with him in his glory, who haue suffered with him in these disgraces:
- 1Luk. 9. 23.
- 2Math. 10. 33. Mark. 8. 38.
- 3Psal. 7. 10.
- 4Mat. 5. 10, 11. Luk. 6. 22.
