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…

We therefore go forward to the third part of the Text, as it stands divided, and that is the Object matter wherein this comfort is communicated to us, and that is for the nature of it said to be [Greek or Hebrew], Tribulation; and for the extension of it, all tribulation. Tribulation] The Greek word signifieth, Such an affliction as doth even oppress and squeeze a man, as it were: Hence it is translated sometimes persecution, Act. 11. 19. The Churches afflictions are called persecutions, to show the voluntary, malicious endeavours of her enemies, who run up and down to seize on such as belong to Christ; which implieth also, that the godly did not rashly and sinfully put themselves into their enemies hands; but that according to Christs command they did flee, when their adversaries sought for them. And this may be done in faith, not in sinful fear, as appeareth, Heb. 11. where some are said to hide themselves in caves and holes, yet by faith. But the word is commonly rendered tribulation, having sometimes the epithet [Greek or Hebrew] added to it, as Mat. 24. 21. And the Latin word tribulation answers the Greek well, which (say some) comes from the flail of the thresher, that bruiseth the corn: Or (as others) from thistles that are sharp and vexing. Well, the word signifieth such a tribulation, as is bruising, pricking, sadly molesting: Yet as out of the same root cometh the sweet Rose, as well as the sharp prickles, so from the same condition shall arise joy as well as grief. Observe,

We therefore go forward to the third part of the Text, as it stands divided, and that is the Object matter wherein this comfort is communicated to us, and that is for the nature of it said to be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Tribulation; and for the extension of it, all tribulation. Tribulation] The Greek word signifieth, Such an affliction as doth even oppresse and squeeze a man, as it were: Hence it is translated sometimes persecution, Act. 11. 19. The Churches afflictions are called persecutions, to shew the voluntary, malicious endeavours of her enemies, who run up and down to seize on such as belong to Christ; which implieth also, that the godly did not rashly and sinfully put themselves into their enemies hands; but that according to Christs command they did flee, when their adversaries sought for them. And this may be done in faith, not in sinfull fear, as appeareth,