Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Fifthly, in afflictions the power of grace does much appear; the abiding strong against opposition, is a ¹true argument of strength: this was the honour of Josephs strength in his blessing, Gen. 49. 23, 24. The archers have sorely grieved him, yet his bow abode in strength. It is nothing for a man to go on in the profession of Religion, while all things are well about him, while he feels no trouble, but God hedges about his way: if God should always prosper his people in outward things, who would not be a professor of godliness? When the people saw how Mordecai was raised, then many became Jews. I read of ⟨p. 48⟩one Pamachius a Heathen, that he said to the Pope, Make me a Bishop, and I will be a Christian. Every ²bird can sing in fair sun-shine weather: but here is the power of grace, not to be offended in Christs sufferings: Blessed are they who are not offended in me, says Christ, to desire to know nothing, but Christ and him crucified: To embrace Christ in his rags, in his poverty, in his shame, in his afflictions and sorrows; this argues a power of grace indeed: it argues the power of love, that much water cannot quench it. It is a note that Josephus hath, writing ³the History of the time of Christ; At that time, says he, Jesus a wise man did many miracles, and although he was condemned to the cross, yet did not those that followed him from the beginning forbear to love him, notwithstanding the ignominy of his death; He notes it is an argument of great love in his followers, as it was indeed, that they did not forbear to love, notwithstanding his ignominious death. As it is a sign our love to sin is strong, when we have many afflictions to quench our love, when we meet with much trouble and opposition in a way of sin, and yet our love to it is not abated; so it argues our love to God and godliness is very strong, when the greatest opposition cannot prevail against it: to account Christ precious as a tree of life, although we be fastened to him as to a stake to be burned, this is love indeed. It was the glory of Scipio, in which he much boasted, that there was not any of his Soldiers, but would venture his life for him, if it were to leap into the Sea, to cast themselves from a high Tower, or any other way that he should require of them, this argued their strong love to him;