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…

What it is to suffer for Christ ex parte objects, in respect of the matter for which, hath already been dispatched. We now proceed to show, What is required ex parte subjecti; What are the qualifications necessary in him, who doth truly suffer for Christ. When we read of so many glorious privileges promised to such as are troubled for Christs sake, you must know, that their bare suffering, no not for that which is righteous, is enough to entitle them to this blessedness; but there must be the Adverb as well as the Noun: it must not only be pro bono; but benè, for that which is good; but also in a good manner for suffering and martyrdom it self; as all other duties is not integrated of all its causes; as it is not enough to pray, to hear, though these for the matter be commanded, but they must be done in an holy and spiritual manner. Thus it is not enough to suffer, or to be persecuted, and that for Christs sake, unless also we have that holy frame of heart in suffering, which Gods word doth require.

WHat it is to suffer for Christ ex parte objects, in respect of the matter for which, hath already been dispatched. We now proceed to shew, What is required ex parte subjecti; What are the qualifications necessary in him, who doth truly suffer for Christ. When we read of so many glorious priviledges promised to such as are troubled for Christs sake, you must know, that their bare suffering, no not for that which is righteous, is enough to entitle them to this blessedness; but there must be the Adverb as well as the Nown: it must not only be pro bono; but benè, for that which is good; but also in a good manner for suffering and martyrdome it self; as all other duties is not integrated of all its causes; as it is not enough to pray, to hear, though these for the matter be commanded, but they must be done in an holy and spiritual manner. Thus it is not enough to suffer, or to be persecuted, and that for Christs sake, unlesse also we have that holy frame of heart in suffering, which Gods word doth require.

Let us then examine this truth, viz. What are the requisites to qualify a true sufferer for Christ? When his cause is good, his heart, his ends also must be good. Therefore that ordinary saying, Causa non poena facit Martyrem, The cause not the punishment doth make a Martyr, must be further limited; for the cause doth not, unless there be also those concomitant graces in the subject, as well as there is truth in the object; and we shall find this suffering temper to have as curious ingredients into it, as there was into that precious ointment, made for the high Priest alone, and no wonder, for it is the highest pitch of love we can arrive at, to suffer for him, and it is the most contrary to flesh and blood: So that one can do this for Christ, but such who are wonderfully enabled by him.