3. An Instruction in, and consent unto the Doctrine of Self-denial and bearing of the Cross, in a particular manner:1 For this is made indispensably necessary by our Saviour himself, unto all that will be his Disciples. And it hath been a great disadvantage unto the Glory of Christian Religion, that Men ⟨p. 8⟩have not been more and better instructed therein.2 It is commonly thought, that who ever will, may be a Christian at an easy rate, it will cost him nothing. But the Gospel gives us another account of these things. For it not only warns us, that Reproaches, Hatred, Sufferings of all sorts, oft-times to Death it self, are the common lot of all its Professors, who will live Godly in Christ Jesus; but also requires, that at our initiation into the Profession of it, we consider aright the dread of them all, and engage cheerfully to undergo them. Hence, in the Primitive Times, whilst all sorts of miseries were continually presented unto them who Embraced the Christian Religion, their willing engagement to undergo them, who were Converted, was a firm Evidence of the sincerity of their Faith, as it ought to be unto us also in times of Difficulty and Persecution. Some may suppose that the Faith and Confession of this Doctrine of Self-denial and readiness for the Cross, is of use only in time of Persecution, and so doth not belong unto them who have continually the countenance and favour of public Authority. I say, it is, at least as they judge, well for them; with others it is not so, whose outward state makes the public avowing of this Duty indispensably necessary unto them: And I may add it as my own thoughts, (though they are not my own alone) That notwithstanding all the Countenance that is given unto any Church by the public Magistracy, yet whilst we are in this World, those who will faithfully discharge their Duty, as Ministers of the Gospel especially, shall have need to be prepared for sufferings. To escape sufferings, and enjoy worldly advantages by sinful compliances, or bearing with Men in their Sins, is no Gospel Direction.
3. An Instruction in, and consent unto the Doctrine of Self-denial and bearing of the Cross, in a particular manner:1 For this is made indispensably necessary by our Saviour himself, unto all that will be his Disciples. And it hath been a great disadvantage unto the Glory of Christian Religion, that Men ⟨p. 8⟩have not been more and better instructed therein.2 It is commonly thought, that who ever will, may be a Christian at an easie rate, it will cost him nothing. But the Gospel gives us another account of these things. For it not only warns us, that Reproaches, Hatred, Sufferings of all sorts, oft-times to Death it self, are the common lot of all its Professors, who will live Godly in Christ Jesus; but also requires, that at our initiation into the Profession of it, we consider aright the dread of them all, and engage cheerfully to undergo them. Hence, in the Primitive Times, whilst all sorts of miseries were continually presented unto them who Embraced the Christian Religion, their willing engagement to undergo them, who were Converted, was a firm Evidence of the sincerity of their Faith, as it ought to be unto us also in times of Difficulty and Persecution. Some may suppose that the Faith and Confession of this Doctrine of Self-denial and readiness for the Cross, is of use only in time of Persecution, and so doth not belong unto them who have continually the countenance and favour of publick Authority. I say, it is, at least as they judge, well for them; with others it is not so, whose outward state makes the publick avowing of this Duty indispensably necessary unto them: And I may add it as my own thoughts, (though they are not my own alone) That notwithstanding all the Countenance that is given unto any Church by the publick Magistracy, yet whilst we are in this World, those who will faithfully discharge their Duty, as Ministers of the Gospel especially, shall have need to be prepared for sufferings. To escape sufferings, and enjoy worldly advantages by sinful compliances, or bearing with Men in their Sins, is no Gospel Direction.
- 1Matth. 10.37, 38, 39. Mar. 8.34, 38. Luke 9.23.
- 2Phil. 3.18. Act. 4.10, 11, 20. Act. 24.14.
