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…

These things laid as a foundation, let us consider, why such sympathizing ¹with, and partaking of others afflictions, doth interest in eternal glory. And

1. 1Reasons why partaking with the Saints afflictions, doth interest us in their glory. 1. This demonstrates our faith in Christ to be upon spiritual grounds.

First, This Reason is evident, Because hereby we plainly demonstrate, that our Faith in Christ, and acknowledging of him, is upon divine and spiritual grounds, that we do not know Christ, and the Christian faith after the flesh, Matth. 13. This discovered the thorny ground not to be true and right soil, because in time of temptation, when the scorching Sun did arise, then all the hopeful fruit began to wither. This apostatizing from Christ in time of such temptations, is so great a matter, that we are constantly to pray for the grace and assistance of God therein, that we be not left to our selves. For Peter being forsaken in some measure only, how dreadful was his fall? And for this end it is that God suffereth persecutions and troubles to accompany the profession of his truth, that so it may be known who are sound, and who hypocrites. If thou art but chaff, this winnowing will drive thee away. They are but a very few that acknowledge Christ upon spiritual and enduring grounds. So that though the world rage, though enemies be furious and bloody, yet they stand like Mount Zion, that cannot be moved. Many become Christians, as some did Jews in Mardochee's time for fear, and because the State favoured the Jews. Outward restraint maketh many take the title of Christians, but they live the life of Heathens, because the pleasures of sin are present, and affect the sense. Orant quia timent, peccant quia volunt, They pray and perform outward religious duties, because they are afraid; but they sin, because their will and pleasure inclineth thereunto. Now these drossy Christians, when they are brought to the fire, they presently melt away. It cannot be denied but that men may suffer much for a while at least, and yet at last deny Christ, as we have sad instances in Ecclesiastical History; but many times such, with that famous Cranmer, did prove the more courageous, and took an holy revenge upon themselves. This accompanying Christ in his dangers, hath a notable promise,