The first sufferers had the hardest task, they that first entered the lists for Christ, wanted those helps to suppress fear which they have left unto us. Strange and untried torments are most terrible, for magnitudinem ream consuetudo subducit, trial and acquaintance a bates ⟨p. 93⟩the formidable greatness of evils. they knew not the strength of that enemy they were to engage, but we fight with an enemy that hath been often beaten and triumphed over by our brethren that went before us: certainly we that live in the last times, have the best helps that ever any had to subdue their fears; we have heard of the courage and constancy of our brethren, in as sharp trials of their courage as ever we can be called to; we have read with what Christian gallantry they have triumphed over all sorts of sufferings and torments, how they have been strengthened with all might in the inner man unto all patience, and long suffering, with joyfulness, 1 Collos. 11. How they have gone away from the Courts that censured and punished them, rejoicing that they were honoured to be dishonoured for Christ, as the strict reading of that Text is, Acts 5. 41.1 counting the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, Heb. 11. 26. which at that time was the Magazine of the world for Riches: You read what Trials they have had of cruel mockings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonments, how they were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword, wandered about in Sheep skins, and Goat skins, destitute, afflicted, tormented, Heb. 11. 36, 37. In all which they obtained a good report, they came out of the field with triumphant faith and patience; and this was not the effect of an over-heated zeal at the first outset, but the same spirit of courage was found among Christians in after ages, who have put off their Persecutors with a kind of pleasant scorn and contempt of Torments.
The first sufferers had the hardest task, they that first entred the lists for Christ, wanted those helps to suppress fear which they have left unto us. Strange and untried torments are most terrible, for magnitudinem re•um consuetudo subducit, trial and acquaintance a bates ⟨p. 93⟩the formidable greatness of evils. they knew not the strength of that enemy they were to engage, but we fight with an enemy that hath been often beaten and triumphed over by our brethren that went before us: certainly we that live in the last times, have the best helps that ever any had to subdue their fears; we have heard of the courage and constancy of our brethren, in as sharp trials of their courage as ever we can be called to; we have read with what Christian gallantry they have triumphed over all sorts of sufferings and torments, how they have been strengthened with all might in the inner man unto all patience, and long suffering, with joyfulness, 1 Collos. 11. How they have gone away from the Courts that censured and punished them, rejoycing that they were honoured to be dishonoured for Christ, as the strict reading of that Text is, Acts 5. 41.1 counting the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, Heb. 11. 26. which at that time was the Magazine of the world for Riches: You read what Trials they have had of cruel mockings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonments, how they were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted, slain with the sword, wandred about in Sheep skins, and Goat skins, destitute, afflicted, tormented, Heb. 11. 36, 37. In all which they obtained a good report, they came out of the field with triumphant faith and patience; and this was not the effect of an over-heated zeal at the first outset, but the same spirit of courage was found among Christians in after ages, who have put off their Persecutors with a kind of pleasant scorn and contempt of Torments.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
