A29372:281
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by William Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
London: printed for Nath. Crouch, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 3: The way to obtain a sure and great Reward. SERM. III.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But some will say, I am not unwilling to suffer for the Name of Christ, so it be for the Name of Christ, but there are many false glosses put upon our sufferings.
Saith the Adversary, Man, friend, you don't suffer for the Name of Christ, and the truth of Christ; but for Sedition and Rebellion, and because you will not be obedient to Authority; and these and the like glosses are put upon the people of God. And how can I be willing to suffer now?
No Indeed, if these things be true: for the Apostle saith, That we are not to suffer as evil doers.
But I pray tell me, When did any of the people of God suffer for the Cause of God; but there were such glosses as these? saith Haman, These are a rebellious people, and it is not for the Kings profit to suffer them. And so when Christ himself suffered, He is not a friend to Caesar, but an enemy. Well, then came the Apostles, and when the Apostles came, what a guise was put upon their sufferings? These are seditious, and th•se that turn the world upside-down are come hither. And do not you find in Scripture and experience, that it is no new thing for men to persecute Religion upon the account of Religion? Saith Christ, For which of my good works go ye about to kill me? No, no, thou art mistaken, we go not about to kill thee for thy good works, but because thou breakest the Sabbath, &c. So that 'tis no new thing to persecute Religion, even upon the account of Religion.