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…

Be of a more public spirit, let the Churches gain, or losses be as thine own.

Be of a more publick spirit, let the Churches gain, or losses be as thine own.

2. There is a fellowship with the afflictions of others, not only spiritual, but real, when we are cast into the same outward condition, as others are. ¹And this also may be part of the meaning in the Text. They were not only Spectators of Pauls troubles, but they themselves had part of this burden upon their own shoulders: That cup of tribulation was given them to drink, as well as others. For although persecutions do sometimes fall only upon the Pastors and Officers in the Church, yet for the most part it is universal, and pursueth all that call on Christ: That as with Christ there is no bond or free, no Jew or Gentile, all are one; so it is also with the enemies of Gods Church in their persecutions, all are one to them. Look not then for an Ark, when all the people of God shall be in the waters. Though an Obadiah may live quietly in Ahab's Court, when the Elijahs are sought for, to be put to death, yet this is not always so; and that man, who will own Christ upon no other condition, but that he may not suffer for him, or be persecuted for him, that man is unsound and rotten at the very heart.

2. There is a fellowship with the afflictions of others, not onely spiritual, but real, when we are cast into the same outward condition, as others are. ¹And this also may be part of the meaning in the Text. They were not onely Spectators of Pauls troubles, but they themselves had part of this burden upon their own shoulders: That cup of tribulation was given them to drink, as well as others. For although persecutions do sometimes fall onely upon the Pastors and Officers in the Church, yet for the most part it is universal, and pursueth all that call on Christ: That as with Christ there is no bond or free, no Jew or Gentile, all are one; so it is also with the enemies of Gods Church in their persecutions, all are one to them. Look not then for an Ark, when all the people of God shall be in the waters. Though an Obadiah may live quietly in Ahabs Court, when the Elijahs are sought for, to be put to death, yet this is not alwayes so; and that man, who will own Christ upon no other condition, but that he may not suffer for him, or be persecuted for him, that man is unsound and rotten at the very heart.