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

5. A true knowledge of God and Christ will make a man readily suffer and lose all when it's required; and if at any time we are unwilling, we love our wealth our life better, it's because we know not the excellency of Gods glory, and what an unspeakable reward is laid up for those that deny themselves for him: 2 Cor. 4. This made the Apostle say, We account these light afflictions not comparable to the eternal weight of glory: What made Moses choose the afflictions and reproaches of Christ, Heb. 11. rather then the treasures of Egypt, it was because by faith he saw him that was invisible. The Martyrs were no fools, though their enemies judged them so, for they knew how great that God was whom they feared, how able to reward them infinitely above their sufferings, and therefore their greatest wisdom was to lose their lives, that so they might save them. It's ignorance of God and Christ that makes us unwilling to bear the cross he requireth of us.

5. A true knowledge of God and Christ will make a man readily suffer and lose all when it's required; and if at any time we are unwilling, we love our wealth our life better, it's because we know not the excellency of Gods glory, and what an unspeakable reward is laid up for those that deny themselves for him: 2 Cor. 4. This made the Apostle say, We account these light afflictions not comparable to the eternall weight of glory: What made Moses choose the afflictions and reproaches of Christ, Heb. 11. rather then the treasures of Egypt, it was because by faith he saw him that was invisible. The Martyrs were no fools, though their enemies judged them so, for they knew how great that God was whom they feared, how able to reward them infinitely above their sufferings, and therefore their greatest wisdom was to lose their lives, that so they might save them. It's ignorance of God and Christ that makes us unwilling to bear the crosse he requireth of us.