4. From the Covenant of Christ. 'Tis one thing implied in the Gospel-Covenant, when our Lord Jesus sets down the Terms, Mat. 16. 24. he saith, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me: That is, we must so believe in Christ, and be persuaded of the Truth of his heavenly Doctrine, that we are willing to deny our Wit and Will, natural Interests and Affections, and to lose all, rather than lose our Souls, or miss of the Happiness he ⟨p. 324⟩offereth us. Nay, taking up the Cross is so considerable a part of our Resignation to Christ, and Trust in him, that in Luke 'tis said, chap. 9. 23. Let him take up his Cross daily: How daily? There are fair Days as well as foul, and the face of Heaven doth not always look sad and louring. What is the meaning then of that, Let him take up his Cross daily? I answer; First, it must be meant of daily Expectation. The first day that we begin to think of being serious Christians, we must reckon of the Cross, we know not how soon it may come. If God seeth fit to spare you, yet you must be prepared for it; Stand ready, as Porters in the Streets, to take up the Burden which you must carry. Daily inure your thoughts to the Cross, that the grievousness and bitterness of it may be somewhat allayed. St. Paul saith, Acts 21. 13. I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the Name of the Lord Jesus. And, Ephes. 6. 15. one great Piece of the spiritual Armour is, the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. And, 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh a Reason of the Hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Be ready in point of Courage. Now this ⟨p. 325⟩is necessary, because we are so apt to promise great things to our selves, and indulge the Security of the Flesh, by putting off the Thoughts of the Cross. But Evils familiarized are the less burdensome, and by renewing our Resolution daily, we are the more fortified. Secondly, to show the Continuance of our Conflicts, as if every day there were some new Exercise for our Faith and Patience. We are not to prescribe to God, how long he shall afflict us, nor with how much Affliction he shall exercise us; No, tho it were all the days of our Lives, we must be content: 'Tis but a Moment to Eternity. We must take up our Cross, till God remove it.
4. From the Covenant of Christ. 'Tis one thing implied in the Gospel-Covenant, when our Lord Jesus sets down the Terms, Mat. 16. 24. he saith, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me: That is, we must so believe in Christ, and be persuaded of the Truth of his heavenly Doctrine, that we are willing to deny our Wit and Will, natural Interests and Affections, and to lose all, rather than lose our Souls, or miss of the Happiness he ⟨p. 324⟩offereth us. Nay, taking up the Cross is so considerable a part of our Resignation to Christ, and Trust in him, that in Luke 'tis said, chap. 9. 23. Let him take up his Cross daily: How daily? There are fair Days as well as foul, and the face of Heaven doth not always look sad and lowring. What is the meaning then of that, Let him take up his Cross daily? I answer; First, it must be meant of daily Expectation. The first day that we begin to think of being serious Christians, we must reckon of the Cross, we know not how soon it may come. If God seeth fit to spare you, yet you must be prepared for it; Stand ready, as Porters in the Streets, to take up the Burden which you must carry. Daily inure your thoughts to the Cross, that the grievousness and bitterness of it may be somewhat allay'd. St. Paul saith, Acts 21. 13. I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the Name of the Lord Iesus. And, Ephes. 6. 15. one great Piece of the spiritual Armor is, the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. And, 1 Pet. 3. 15. Be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh a Reason of the Hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Be ready in point of Courage. Now this ⟨p. 325⟩is necessary, because we are so apt to promise great things to our selves, and indulge the Security of the Flesh, by putting off the Thoughts of the Cross. But Evils familiarized are the less burdensom, and by renewing our Resolution daily, we are the more fortified. Secondly, to shew the Continuance of our Conflicts, as if every day there were some new Exercise for our Faith and Patience. We are not to prescribe to God, how long he shall afflict us, nor with how much Affliction he shall exercise us; No, tho it were all the days of our Lives, we must be content: 'Tis but a Moment to Eternity. We must take up our Cross, till God remove it.
