An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

2 COR. 1. 5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, &c.

The Doctrine that hath in part been treated on, is, That a true and faithful owning of Christ, is accompanied with sufferings and persecutions. Some Particulars have been given in to clear this. We proceed to add more; and the first in order shall be, That although it is very difficult to flesh and blood, to own Christ so far as to suffer for him, yet the Scripture represents ¹it as a most blessed and glorious thing, howsoever the world judge it reproachful. I shall not here enlarge my self about the encouragements to suffer, when Christ calls for it; it is enough at this time, in the general, to inform, That God will not honour every one with persecutions for himself; It is a great expression of his grace and favour. Hence some Confessors, have desired to be Martyrs, but God by his providence preserved them, they ⟨p. 201⟩have been greatly humbled, and dejected under this, as if it were for some special sin and unworthiness in them, that God would not in that manner dignify them. These are not words, and mere oratory, the Scripture is clear in proclaiming this for a title of favour, to be a sufferer for Christ. Act. 5. 41. The Apostles rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for his Name. That they might have shame and reproach for Christ, this they rejoiced in, as a great matter of honour. Who were they that the Lord should so exalt them? So Phil. 1. 29. To you it's given, not only to believe, but to suffer. By this you see, that every one to whom God doth give to believe, he doth not also give to suffer for him. It's a gift then, and where this is bestowed, they ought to rejoice, and to be exceeding glad. Yea,