Spiritual refining

First, That many times persecutions are a true discovery of a mans firmness in grace. Insomuch that all the while Christs cause and carnal accommodations are conjoined together, every hypocritical and unsound heart makes as great a show, as that which is faithful, But when storms and tempests arise, then the house built upon the sand falls, but that on the rock endureth. Thus Matth. 13. when the hot Sun arose, persecutions began to be violent, then that which was not deeply rooted, presently withered. So that howsoever we may not certainly gather the truth of our grace, by our perseverance in persecutions, yet troubles and oppositions do frequently discover who is false. Hence afflictions and not mercies are always in Scripture called temptations, God is never said to tempt by a mercy, but by an affliction, because it is more difficult to withstand an evil then to enjoy a good. The high and strong winds discover how well-rooted the tree is; the fire will manifest the cracked vessel. Oh then account it nothing to rest upon, that thou art for the truth, thou ownest God and good men! Alas as yet thou losest no good, no profit by doing thus. If a man may be imprisoned, impoverished, undone for the truths of God, and yet be nothing; then what a poor nothing indeed is Christs truth and thy riches with it! Alas Christ hath not put thee upon any trials, and thou knowest nothing by thy self as yet. It's true, outward sufferings, and that to death, are the highest expressions before men; and therefore we are to judge with charitable apprehensions of all those who are able thus to suffer for that which is the truth, especially they at the same time demonstrating all Christian deportment. Therefore it was cruelty in the Popish persecutors to charge those blessed Martyrs with stoutness and pride. Hence also it is, that we account the Martyrdom of so many millions of all sorts for Christ, to be an eminent testimony of the truth of Christian Religion. No Sect could ever instance in the like, as Christians may, which we read was acknowledged by Trajan the Emperor; and Justine Martyr confesseth the consideration of the willingness and zeal of Christians to die for Christ, was the occasion of his conversion. The Heathens instance only in Socrates and some few Gymnosophists for their false Religion.

First, That many times persecutions are a true discovery of a mans firmnesse in grace. Insomuch that all the while Christs cause and carnal accommodations are conjoyned together, every hypocritical and unsound heart makes as great a shew, as that which is faithfull, But when storms and tempests arise, then the house built upon the sand fals, but that on the rock endureth. Thus