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…

That the afflictions and sufferings we endure for Christ, do not only turn to our ¹own good, but to the good of Gods Church.

That the afflictions and sufferings we indure for Christ, do not only turn to our ¹own good, but to the good of Gods Church.

1. 1The afflictions we suffer for Christ, are not only for our own, but for the Churches good.

That they are for our own good, hath been partly spoken to. Yea every dispensation of God to those that fear him, is a benefit and an advantage: For if it be a mercy, it is bonum Dei consolantis; if an affliction, it is bonum Dei admonentis, as Austin. But I am now to speak of the diffusive good by afflictions in respect of others.

That sufferings for Christ are of public edification to the Church, appeareth by two or three notable texts, concerning what Paul speaketh of himself, Phil. 1. 12. I would ye should understand, that the things which happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel. I would ye should understand; It is a truth that Believers should possess themselves with: For indeed, it is a riddle, that out of this strong one should come honey, that out of darkness should arise light, from death come life. The not understanding of this, hath made so many Apostates, thinking that the Kingdom of Christ and his ways, would never hold, because all the power of the world conspire to oppress it; but the Apostle would have them know, that persecutions do not hinder, but further the Gospel. The treading and trampling on this Camomile, makes it thrive the better. Another remarkable text, is