The Fountain of Life Opened

If Christ be so gloriously advanced in the highest Throne, ¹then none need to reckon themselves dishonoured, ²by suffering the vilest things for his sake. The very chains and sufferings of Christ have a glory in them. Hence Moses esteemed the very reproaches of Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, Heb. 11.26. He saw such an excellency in the very worst things of Christ, his reproaches, and sufferings, as made him leap out of his Honours and Riches into them. He did not (as one saith) only endure the reproaches of Christ, but counted them Treasures. To be reckoned among his honours, and things of value.³ So Thuanus reports of Ludovicus Marsacus, a noble Knight of France, when he was led with other Martyrs, that were bound with Cords, to Execution; and he for his dignity was not bound, he cried, give me my Chain too, let me be a Knight of the same order. Disgrace it self is honourable, when 'tis endured for the Lord of glory. And surely there is (as one phraseth it) a little Paradise, a young Heaven in sufferings for Christ. If there were nothing else in it, but that they are endured on his account, it would richly reward all we can endure for him: but if we consider how exceeding kind Christ is to them that count it their glory to be abased for him; that though he be always kind to his people, (yet if we may so ⟨p. 586⟩speak) he overcometh himself in kindness, when they suffer for him: it should make men in Love with his reproaches.