Ninthly, If we are to glory so much in the sufferings ⟨p. 475⟩we endure for Christ, then certainly we are to glory in the sufferings that Christ hath endured for us: if there be riches in our sufferings for Christ, what riches are in Christs suffering for us? I have shown in eight particulars the riches of sufferings for Christ; I might in as many particulars show the riches of Christs sufferings for us. First, riches of the infinite deep wisdom of God. Secondly, the riches of the infinite love of God to mankind. Thirdly, the rich pattern of humility. Fourthly, there is riches of honour that is put upon the Children of men, such a price is paid for them, and such great things are done by the Lord for them. Fifthly, there is a rich fountain of mercy, cleansing of all pollution, and the healing of all souls in Christ. Sixthly, there are the riches of the springs of all graces. Seventhly, there are the riches of the rich treasure of all consolations. Eighthly, a rich purchase; thus our sufferings for Christ are riches, and Christs sufferings for us are riches. Chrysostom *speaking of Christs reproaches, hath this expression, These things which we suffered, are most beautiful and glorious to me, in these I do principally glory; neither is my spirit less raised by the thousands that be raised from the dead, then by the dolours that suffered. How rich is a Christian in regard of sufferings; as men use to look at their riches, and be thinking of their riches, so let us be viewing and looking at our riches, the riches of our sufferings; and Christ makes us to glory in our riches. It is an expression of Chrysostom upon the Sermon in Matthew 26. speaking of the sufferings of Christ, says he, They are glorious ⟨p. 476⟩things, he glories more in them, then in raising thousands from the dead, Christ glories in them; And that is observable in the ninth of the Acts, where Christ appears to Saul, says he, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? says Paul, Who art thou? I am Jesus of Nazareth; why does he say, Jesus of Nazareth? does any good come out of Nazareth? he does not say, I am the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God, the King of the Church; no, but I am Jesus of Nazareth, that was a reproach that was cast upon Christ, and Christ glories in that, surely we should glory in it then.
Ninthly, If we are to glory so much in the sufferings ⟨p. 475⟩we endure for Christ, then certainly we are to glory in the sufferings that Christ hath indured for us: if there be riches in our sufferings for Christ, what riches are in Christs suffering for us? I have shewn in eight particulars the riches of sufferings for Christ; I might in as many particulars shew the riches of Christs sufferings for us. First, riches of the infinite deep wisdom of God. Secondly, the riches of the infinite love of God to mankinde. Thirdly, the rich patern of humility. Fourthly, there is riches of honor that is put upon the Children of men, such a price is paid for them, and such great things are done by the Lord for them. Fifthly, there is a rich fountain of mercy, cleansing of all pollution, and the healing of all souls in Christ. Sixthly, there are the riches of the springs of all graces. Seventhly, there are the riches of the rich treasure of all consolations. Eighthly, a rich purchase; thus our sufferings for Christ are riches, and Christs sufferings for us are riches. Chrysostom *speaking of Christs reproaches, hath this expression, These things which we suffered, are most beautiful and glorious to me, in these I do principally glory; neither is my spirit less raised by the thousands that be raised from the dead, then by the dolours that suffered. How rich is a Christian in regard of sufferings; as men use to look at their riches, and be thinking of their riches, so let us be viewing and looking at our riches, the riches of our sufferings; and Christ makes us to glory in our riches. It is an expression of Chrysostom upon the Sermon in Matthew 26. speaking of the sufferings of Christ, says he, They are glorious ⟨p. 476⟩things, he glories more in them, then in raising thousands from the dead, Christ glories in them; And that is observable in the ninth of the Acts, where Christ appears to Saul, says he, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? says Paul, Who art thou? I am Jesus of Nazareth; why does he say, Jesus of Nazareth? does any good come out of Nazareth? he does not say, I am the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God, the King of the Church; no, but I am Jesus of Nazareth, that was a reproach that was cast upon Christ, and Christ glories in that, surely we should glory in it then.
- *Haec pul cherima & gloricsissima sunt, in his ego summopere glorior nec minus me hi sui dolours. sublimem efferunt, quam mille mortui quos excitavit, Chrysost. Hom. 86. in cap. 26. Mat.Haec pul cherima & gloricsissima sunt, in his ego summopere glorior nec minus me hi sui dolores. sublimem efferunt, quam mille mortui quos excitavit, Chrysost. Hom. 86. in cap. 26. Mat.
