15. A Christian must deny his life for Christ. This is in the Text, attollat crucem, Let him take up his Cross*. Suffering for Christ must be free and spontaneous. He who suffers against his will bears the Cross, he who suffers willingly takes up the Cross. A fair Virgin falling in love with Crates for his learning, he showed her his staff and his scrip; this saith he is your dowry. Christ shows us his Cross, if we will not have him upon these terms the match is not like to go on. Sufferings will abide us*. 2 Tim. 3.12. The Devil is not grown kinder now than he was. Some think of reigning with Christ, but not of suffering. Joseph dreamed of his advancement, but not of his imprisonment. ⟨p. 44⟩The flesh cries out the Cross is uneasy, there are Nails in the Yoke which tear; but life must be denied, yea hated for Christ. Luke 14.26, If any man come to me, and hate not father, and mother, and his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Love to Christ must out-weigh life. Rev. 12.11, They loved not their lives to the death. Paul carried the image of Christ in his heart as a Saint, the message of Christ in his mouth as a Minister, and the marks of Christ in his body as a Martyr. Gal. 6.17. The primitive worthies snatched up torments as so many Crowns, and were content to shed their blood for Christ, knowing they should exchange their sanguine for white Robes. The Prophet Isaiah was killed with a Saw, Jeremiah with Stones, Amos with an Iron-Bar, Luke was hanged on an Olive-tree. I read of Irenaeus, that he was carried to a place, where was set a Cross on one side, and an Idol on the other, where he was put to his choice, either to bow to the Idol, or suffer ⟨p. 45⟩on the Cross, he chose the latter. Basil speaks of a Virgin condemned to the fire who having her life and estate offered her, if she would bow down to an Image, answered, Let life and money go, welcome Christ. Though every Christian is not actually a Martyr, yet he hath a preparation of mind, and is ready to suffer if God call. Luther said, he had rather be a Martyr than a Monarch. Let us then take up the Cross. Can wicked men be content to suffer for their lusts, and shall not we suffer for Christ? We are to look upon our sufferings as a badge of honour. If when we are reproached for Christ*, much more when we dye for him, A Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon us. 1 Pet. 4.14.
15. A Christian must deny his life for Christ. This is in the Text, attollat crucem, Let him take up his Cross*. Suffering for Christ must be free and spontaneous. He who suffers against his will bears the Cross, he who suffers willingly takes up the Cross. A fair Virgin falling in love with Crates for his learning, he shewed her his staff and his scrip; this saith he is your dowry. Christ shows us his Cross, if we will not have him upon these terms the match is not like to go on. Sufferings will abide us*. 2 Tim. 3.12. The Devil is not grown kinder now than he was. Some think of reigning with Christ, but not of suffering. Ioseph dreamed of his advancement, but not of his imprisonment. ⟨p. 44⟩The flesh cries out the Cross is uneasie, there are Nails in the Yoke which tear; but life must be denied, yea hated for Christ. Luke 14.26, If any man come to me, and hate not father, and mother, and his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Love to Christ must out-weigh life. Rev. 12.11, They loved not their lives to the death. Paul carried the image of Christ in his heart as a Saint, the message of Christ in his mouth as a Minister, and the marks of Christ in his body as a Martyr. Gal. 6.17. The primitive worthies snatched up torments as so many Crowns, and were content to shed their blood for Christ, knowing they should exchange their sanguine for white Robes. The Prophet Isaiah was killed with a Saw, Ieremiah with Stones, Amos with an Iron-Bar, Luke was hanged on an Olive-tree. I read of Irenaeus, that he was carried to a place, where was set a Cross on one side, and an Idol on the other, where he was put to his choice, either to bow to the Idol, or suffer ⟨p. 45⟩on the Cross, he chose the latter. Basil speaks of a Virgin condemned to the fire who having her life and estate offered her, if she would bow down to an Image, answered, Let life and money go, welcom Christ. Though every Christian is not actually a Martyr, yet he hath a preparation of mind, and is ready to suffer if God call. Luther said, he had rather be a Martyr than a Monarch. Let us then take up the Cross. Can wicked men be content to suffer for their lusts, and shall not we suffer for Christ? We are to look upon our sufferings as a badg of honour. If when we are reproached for Christ
- *Christianus quasi crucianus. Luther.
- *Acts 20.23.
- *[Greek or Hebrew] Chrysost.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Chrysost.
