XXVIII. 1. A Christian indeed, is one that hath deliberately counted, what it may cost him to follow Christ and to save his soul; and knowing that suffering with Christ is the way to our reigning with him, he hath fully consented to the terms of Christ: He hath read Luk. 14.26, 27, 33. and findeth that bearing the Cross and forsaking all, is necessary to those that will be Christs disciples: And accordingly in resolution he hath forsaken all; and looketh not for a smooth and easy way to heaven: He considereth that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution, and that through many tribulations we must enter into heaven: And therefore he taketh it not for a strange or unexpected thing, if the fiery trial come upon him. He doth not wonder at the unrighteousness of the world, as if he expected reason, or honesty, justice, or truth, or mercy in the enemies of Christ, and the instruments of Satan: He will not bring his action against the Devil, for unjust afflicting him. He will rather turn the other cheek to him that smiteth him, than he will hinder the good of any soul by seeking right; much less will he exercise unjust revenge. Though where government is exercised for truth and righteousness, he ⟨p. 75⟩will not refuse to make use of the justice of it to punish iniquity, and discourage evil doers, yet this is for God and the common good, and for the suppression of sin, much more than for himself. Suffering doth not surprise him as a thing unlooked for: He hath been long preparing for it, and it findeth him garrisoned in the love of Christ: Yea (though his flesh will be as the flesh of others, sensible of the smart, and his mind is not senseless of the sufferings of his body, yet) it is some pleasure and satisfaction to his soul, to find himself in the common way to heaven, and to see the predictions of Christ fulfilled, and to feel himself so far conform to Jesus Christ his head, and to trace the footsteps of a humbled Redeemer in the way before him: As Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, so doth the Christian arm himself with the same mind. 1 Pet. 4.1. He rejoiceth that he is made partaker of the sufferings of Christ, that when his glory shall be revealed, he may also be partaker of the exceeding joy. 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. yea he taketh the reproach of Christ for a treasure, yea a greater treasure than Riches, or mens favours can afford, Heb.
XXVIII. 1. A Christian indeed, is one that hath deliberately counted, what it may cost him to follow Christ and to save his soul; and knowing that suffering with Christ is the way to our reigning with him, he hath fully consented to the terms of Christ: He hath read Luk. 14.26, 27, 33. and findeth that bearing the Cross and forsaking all, is necessary to those that will be Christs disciples: And accordingly in resolution he hath forsaken all; and looketh not for a smooth and easie way to heaven: He considereth that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution, and that through many tribulations we must enter into heaven: And therefore he taketh it not for a strange or unexpected thing, if the fiery trial come upon him. He doth not wonder at the unrighteousness of the world, as if he expected reason, or honesty, justice, or truth, or mercy in the enemies of Christ, and the instruments of Satan: He will not bring his action against the Devil, for unjust afflicting him. He will rather turn the other cheek to him that smiteth him, than he will hinder the good of any soul by seeking right; much less will he exercise unjust revenge. Though where government is exercised for truth and righteousness, he ⟨p. 75⟩will not refuse to make use of the justice of it to punish iniquity, and discourage evil doers, yet this is for God and the common good, and for the suppression of sin, much more than for himself. Suffering doth not surprise him as a thing unlooked for: He hath been long preparing for it, and it findeth him garrison'd in the love of Christ: Yea (though his flesh will be as the flesh of others, sensible of the smart, and his mind is not senseless of the sufferings of his body, yet) it is some pleasure and satisfaction to his soul, to find himself in the common way to heaven, and to see the predictions of Christ fulfilled, and to feel himself so far conform to Jesus Christ his head, and to trace the footsteps of a humbled Redeemer in the way before him: As Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, so doth the Christian arm himself with the same mind. 1 Pet. 4.1. He rejoyceth that he is made partaker of the sufferings of Christ, that when his glory shall be revealed, he may also be partaker of the exceeding joy. 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. yea he taketh the reproach of Christ for a treasure, yea a greater treasure than Riches, or mens favours can afford, Heb.
