CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

2. Consider thy voluntary accepting of thy afflictions and judging thy self for them, maketh all thy afflictions to be a kind of Martyrdom: It's required we should accept of the punishment of our sin, Levit. 26.41. And 1 Cor. 11. We are to judge our selves, 2 Cor. 7. The Corinthians repenting had a holy revenge upon themselves; Now when we do thus kiss the Rod, and willingly accept of this affliction, It's a kind of Martyrdom, It is for Gods cause, and out of love to him, that thou dost with patience endure it.

2. Consider thy voluntary accepting of thy afflictions and judging thy self for them, maketh all thy afflictions to be a kinde of Martyrdome: It's required we should accept of the punishment of our sinne, Levit. 26.41. And 1 Cor. 11. We are to judge our selves, 2 Cor. 7. The Corinthians repenting had a holy revenge upon themselves; Now when we do thus kisse the Rod, and willingly accept of this affliction, It's a kinde of Martyrdom, It is for Gods cause, and out of love to him, that thou dost with patience endure it.

3. Thou hast the chiefest ground of comfort, which ever Christs Sufferers have, though not that particular they have; For the Martyrs did not rejoice in their Sufferings as matter of merit, and as that which was equal to Eternal Glory; No, They could not but find many Imperfections, even in those noble undertakings, And therefore desired pardon even for their very dying for Christ, that they had no such perfect faith and patience as they ought: It was therefore Christ and his Sufferings administered them all their comforts, and this thou mayest take though thy sins have caused thy afflictions.