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…

In the next place, Let us consider, How many ways Christ doth make our consolations in sufferings for his sake to abound. And

In the next place, Let us consider, How many wayes Christ doth make our consolations in sufferings for his sake to abound. And

First, Christ doth it by assuring and persuading of our hearts concerning those truths and righteous actions, we do suffer for. If comfort arise from suffering for Christ, then the more assured we are, that we do suffer for him, the greater is our consolation. If a man have great doubts in his heart, whether he suffers for Christ or not? Whether it be a truth or an error that he is troubled for? Whether he was a busy-body, or not? ⟨p. 211⟩Whether he did keep within his calling and bounds, or not? If (I say) there be these hesitances and disceptations in his mind, How can he have any comfort? Therefore that our comfort may be full, Christ giveth us the riches of assurance in our understanding; Faith becomes the evidence, and strong conviction, Heb. 11. upon their souls, insomuch that they know they are in the truth; They know it's righteousness they suffer for. Thus you may observe the Apostles in all the oppositions they met with from the world, and all the malice of Satan, yet never questioning or doubting, whether they were deluded or no, but were fully assured of those things they did preach. Now this consideration is the more to be taken notice of, because the sufferings for Christ, in the latter age of the Church, have differed wonderfully from the former. For in the primitive persecutions, their sufferings did arise from Heathens and Pagans, it was for professing of Christ, and opposing of Idolatry. Now these things were plain, here was no disputing. But then in the after-ages of the Church, when Heretics got power, especially when Antichrist was exalted, and the Papacy lifted up with all strength, then those that did persecute, pretended Christ, that what they did, they did for the honour and glory of Christ; and those who did suffer, though indeed for Christ, yet were reputed enemies to Christ: And this is that which makes suffering for Christ to be a more difficult thing in these later days. The Papists that have put to death so many Protestants, defend themselves with these glorious Titles, That they are only the Church of Christ; That Christ is only amongst them; That all who withdraw obedience from the Pope, are out of the Ark, out of hope of Salvation: That it is service to Christ to root them out; and therefore the Doctrines suffered for, were not about the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, the Resurrection;