The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

Indeed there was a wonderful difference in the Behaviour of the Martyrs under Sufferings, but in all the same Persevering Grace was evident, though working variously. Some in the most beautiful Flower of their Age encountered Fire and Sword, Tormentors and Torments, with that sensible Joy, with those Songs of Praise to Christ, as if they saw the Heavens open with St. Stephen, and their Saviour ready to receive and crown them. But many others as ^*Chrysostom testifies, went to the Tribunals, to the Theatres, to Death, with many Appearances of Fear. Upon hearing the wild Beasts roar, they were struck with horror, at the sight of the Executioners and the Instruments of Torment they were pale and trembling. The Flesh seemed to cry out, O let this Cup pass from me, yet weak and faint, it followed the Spirit, that corrected the natural desire, with not my will, but thine be done. As the Moon in Eclipse, though obscure, yet goes on in a regular course, as when 'tis full of Light by the reflection of the Sun: So those desolate ⟨p. 156⟩Martyrs, though as it were forsaken, and deprived of the bright Beams of Comfort, yet persevered in their Profession of the Truth. When one word to renounce Christianity would have saved them, no Torments could force it from them, but they patiently endured all. Now in these the Combat of Nature was visible, and the admirable Power of Grace. They first overcame their own Fears, the reluctancy of the carnal part, their Affections to what ever is desirable in the World, which is the noblest Victory, and then the Cruelty of their Persecutors. In them was verified the Testimony of the Spirit, Here is the patience of the Saints, Here are they that keep the Command of God and the Faith of Jesus.

Indeed there was a wonderful difference in the Behaviour of the Martyrs under Sufferings, but in all the same Persevering Grace was evident, though working variously. Some in the most beautiful Flower of their Age encounter'd Fire and Sword, Tormentors and Torments, with that sensible Joy, with those Songs of Praise to Christ, as if they saw the Heavens open with St. Stephen, and their Saviour ready to receive and crown them. But many others as ^*Chrysostom testifies, went to the Tribunals, to the Theatres, to Death, with many Appearances of Fear. Upon hearing the wild Beasts roar, they were struck with horrour, at the sight of the Executioners and the Instruments of Torment they were pale and trembling. The Flesh seem'd to cry out, O let this Cup pass from me, yet weak and faint, it followed the Spirit, that corrected the natural desire, with not my will, but thine be done. As the Moon in Eclipse, though obscure, yet goes on in a regular course, as when 'tis full of Light by the reflection of the Sun: So those desolate