A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

But at present the Churches Persecution is grievous to it, and that upon many accounts. In times of Persecution, Hell seems to be let loose as to all manner of Wickedness; when nothing but the Service of God is Criminal, the Service of the Devil seems Meritorious. Some will be frighted from the entertainment of the Gospel, and dye in their Infidelity, and they are lost for ever. Others so far shrink that they lose their Peace, (though they do not lose their Souls,) and never recover it more. And the Spirits of the strongest will be apt to faint, if the Sufferings be sharp and long; ^tThey shall wear out the Saints of the most high. When Persecution comes to its height,^u except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the Elects sake those days shall be shortened. But what's to be done at that time, that what's intolerable to flesh and blood, may be born with triumph; that we may be so far from stumbling at the Cross of Christ, that we may humbly glory in it;^† Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer Shame for his Name? In a word, How may the time of their Persecution, be the best time of their life?

But at present the Churches Persecution is grievous to it, and that upon many accounts. In times of Persecution, Hell seems to be let loose as to all manner of Wickedness; when nothing but the Service of God is Criminal, the Service of the Devil seems Meritorious. Some will be frighted from the entertainment of the Gospel, and dye in their Infidelity, and they are lost for ever. Others so far shrink that they lose their Peace, (thô they do not lose their Souls,) and never recover it more. And the Spirits of the strongest will be apt to faint, if the Sufferings be sharp and long; ^tThey shall wear out the Saints of the most high. When Persecution comes to its height,^u except those dayes should be shortned, there should no flesh be saved; but for the Elects sake those dayes shall be shortned. But what's to be done at that time, that what's intolerable to flesh and blood, may be born with triumph; that we may be so far from stumbling at the Cross of Christ, that we may humbly glory in it;