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…

This truth is of great use. For the afflictions accompanying the ways of Christ, have been an offence, and a stumbling block to many. Now when a curb shall be made a spur, when an hinderance, a furtherance; and we shall be encouraged from those particulars which should drive back, this consideration must be very profitable.

This truth is of great use. For the afflictions accompanying the wayes of Christ, have been an offence, and a stumbling block to many. Now when a curb shall be made a spur, when an hinderance, a furtherance; and we shall be encouraged from those particulars which should drive back, this consideration must be very profitable.

Before we come to amplify in what manner, in what respects persecutions are made thus serviceable to others, Let us take notice,

Before we come to amplifie in what manner, in what respects persecutions are made thus serviceable to others, Let us take notice,

First, That the sufferings of others do work good only occasionally, or by way ¹of example. We must not conceive any merit or causality (as was declared before) in Martyrs; They are Examples, not Mediators; Their light did shine that we might thereby glorify God. So that we must take heed that the sufferings of the godly do not obscure the sufferings of Christ, that they should not be accounted the only treasure of Christ. But as Luther was afraid, lest his books should take men off from meditating on the Bible: Or as Paul was afraid men should judge of him, as if he by his own power had done that miracle; and therefore told them, It was only by the Name of Christ. So also it was with all the true Martyrs of Christ, they were humble, looking upon themselves as unworthy of the name of a Martyr; neither would they have their blood derogate from the blood of Christ. Hence