The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

Therefore what now do we think of it? If our way, into the Kingdom of God, shall be through many tribulations. If, before we behold the smiles of •is blessed •ace, we must be entertained with the less pleasing sight of the frowning aspect, and visage of an angry world. If we first bear the image of a crucified Christ, ere we partake of the likeness of a glorious God? what, do we regret the thoughts of it? Do we account we shall be ill dealt with, and have an hard bargain of it? O how tender are we grown in comparison of the hardiness and magnanimity of Primitive Christians? we have not the patience to think of what they had the patience to endure. We should not yet forget our selves, that such a thing belongs to our profession, even in this way to testify our fidelity to Christ, and our value of the inheritance, purchased by his blood, if he call us thereunto. We must know it is a thing inserted into the Religion of Christians; and with respect to their condition in this world) made an essential thereto. He cannot be a Christian, that d•th not deny himself, and take up the Cross. How, often, when the active part of a Christians ⟨p. 391⟩duty is spoken of, is the passive part studiously,¹ and expressly annexed? Let us run [with patience] the race that is set before us. The good ground brought forth fruit [with patience] eternal life is for them that by [a patient] continuance in well doing, ²seek after it. ³Yea,⁴ and hence the Word of Christ is called the Word of his [patience.⁵] And the stile wherein the beloved Disciple speaks of himself, and his profession is this; I John, a companion in tribulation, and in the Kingdom and [patience] of Jesus Christ. Do we mean to plead the prescription against all this? or have we got an express exemption? Have we a discharge to show? a manumission from all the suffering part of a Christians duty? and is it not a discharge also from being Christians as much? Will we disavow our selves to belong to that noble Society of them that through Faith and Patience inherit the promises? Surely we are highly conceited of our selves, if we think we are too good to be numbered among them, of whom the world was not worthy. Or we design to our selves along abode here, while we so much value the Words favour, and a freedom from worldly trouble: