I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

thy Affliction may be very great, and yet thou mayest be a Person, of whom the World is not worthy in Gods account. I will give you this Parable, apply it your self: Suppose you see a company of children playing together one while, and may be afterwards fighting; and then you see a man come and carry away one of these Children, and he strikes him, but he lets the other alone, and he strikes them not; which of these Children, will you say, this man is a Father unto? will ye not say, in all likelihood he is a Father unto that Child that he carries away, and strikes. I leave you to apply it.

thy Affliction may be very great, and yet thou maist be a Person, of whom the World is not worthy in Gods account. I wil give you this Parable, apply it your self: Suppose you see a company of children playing together one while, and may be afterwards fighting; and then you see a man come and carry away one of these Children, and he strikes him, but he lets the other alone, and he strikes them not; which of these Children, wil you say, this man is a Father unto? wil ye not say, in al likelyhood he is a Father unto that Child that he carries away, and strikes. I leave you to apply it.

Secondly: You may observe upon what account they suffer these hard, and grievous things; upon the account, saith the Text, of a better Resurrection: Then what shall we say to those that would steal away from you, the Doctrine of the Resurrection? It may be, men will not speak out here with you, but they have done it with us, and nibble at this Doctrine: What shall we say to them? they are Enemies to your Faith, they are Enemies to your great relief in Suffering times, they are Enemies to your good Conscience, a good Conscience is a great matter in Suffering times. I remember a Speech of a good Minister, when he was silenced in the Bishops time, and had his Living taken from him; Well (saith he) I praise the Lord, though I have lost my Living, I have saved my Conscience and this Conscience is a great matter in Suffering times. Now by their having an expectance of a better Resurrection, they refused the present Deliverance, and so kept their Conscience. Do there therefore come in men among you, to steal away this great Doctrine of our Resurrection? avoid them, avoid them, that they may be ashamed, hold close to this Doctrine: As you desire (Christians) to have Comfort in a rainy day, and a bottom for your Faith in Suffering times, hold fast this Doctrine of the Resurrection, and this Doctrine that you have been instructed in from the Word.