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…

Thirdly, Those that suffer may be very useful to encourage us, but then we must be sure they be such, who do indeed suffer for Christ. For no doubt all ¹those who have suffered in any false way, The Heretic for his heresies, the Papist for his Idolatry and superstition, have greatly confirmed those that were of that persuasion. They did greatly comfort and animate others that did believe them to be the true Martyrs of Christ. So that we may say of such, contrary to that in the Text, They are afflicted for the destruction and damnation of others. Others are hardened in their Idolatries and Heresies by their sufferings. Look we then, that we do propound right patterns to our selves, that we be not deceived, ⟨p. 225⟩as sometimes in Popery they have worshipped the bone of an Ass or an horse for a Saints relic; for the Devil hath his Martyrs. Heresy hath her Martyrs; yea vain-glory hath had many Martyrs. And Austin saith, It is possible for a man who dieth for the truth, yet to have no other motive but vain-glory. The Apostle affirmeth it also, 1 Cor. 13. when he supposeth a man may give his body to be burnt, and yet for want of charity be a tinkling cymbal, or it will profit him nothing. This is so secret a sin, and we are so prone to it, that the Heathens did charge it upon all the Christians (though falsely and maliciously) that they suffered only for vain-glory; being the more induced to think so, because the Christians did in such an excessive manner give honour and praise to them.

Thirdly, Those that suffer may be very usefull to encourage us, but then we must be sure they be such, who do indeed suffer for Christ. For no doubt all ¹those who have suffered in any false way, The Heretick for his heresies, the Papist for his Idolatry and superstition, have greatly confirmed those that were of that perswasion. They did greatly comfort and animate others that did believe them to be the true Martyrs of Christ. So that we may say of such, contrary to that in the Text, They are afflicted for the destruction and damnation of others. Others are hardened in their Idolatries and Heresies by their sufferings. Look we then, that we do propound right paterns to our selves, that we be not deceived,