5. A righteous man perseveres 1in Religion: He who gives over his work before he hath finished it, is but half a workman; and he that gives over in Religion before he hath finished his faith, is but half a Christian. The Promise is [Greek or Hebrew], To him that overcomes, Rev. 3. 10. Who makes reckoning of Corn that sheds before harvest? It was the glory of the Church of Thyatira, her last works were more than her first, Rev. 2. 19. 2Perseverance carries away the garland; a true Christian doth not only set out in the race, but ⟨p. 80⟩hold out*; Job. 15. 9. The righteous also shall hold on his way: Be the way what it will, though strewed with thorns, though there be a Lion in the way, he is resolved to hold on his way, Act. 20. 24. Bonds and afflictions abide me, but none of these things move me. The troubles a godly man meets with for Conscience, do by an holy antiperistasis, the more inflame his zeal: Sufferings cannot make Christ leave loving the Saints, nor make the Saints leave loving of Christ; Job though he lost all, held fast his integrity, Job 2. 3. Unsound hearts when they see the swords and staves are up, leave Christ and shift for themselves: A right-spirited Saint is made of metal that will not wear out. Athanasius was the glory of his age, he had a counter-motion to the Times; he kept his piety when ⟨p. 81⟩the World turned Arian. Melanchthon, who was called the Phoenix of Germany, was (as St. Ambrose saith) like the Cypress-tree which keeps its verdure and greenness in the winter-season. The Church of Pergamus held fast Christs name, though she dwelt where Satan's feat was, Rev 2. 13. This is to be righteous to be faithful to the death*, and not suffer the breast-plate of holiness to be shot thorough. Job 23. 11. My foot hath held his steps: his way have I kept, and not declined. And whosoever is thus divinely qualified, is entitled to this privilege in the Text, He is more excellent than others.
5. A righteous man perseveres 1in Religion: He who gives over his work before he hath finished it, is but half a workman; and he that gives over in Religion before he hath finished his faith, is but half a Christian. The Promise is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, To him that overcomes, Rev. 3. 10. Who makes reckoning of Corn that sheds before harvest? It was the glory of the Church of Thyatira, her last works were more than her first, Rev. 2. 19. 2Perseverance carries away the garland; a true Christian doth not only set out in the race, but ⟨p. 80⟩hold out*; Job. 15. 9. The righteous also shall hold on his way: Be the way what it will, though strewed with thorns, though there be a Lion in the way, he is resolved to hold on his way, Act. 20. 24. Bonds and afflictions abide me, but none of these things move me. The troubles a godly man meets with for Conscience, do by an holy antiperistasis, the more enflame his zeal: Sufferings cannot make Christ leave loving the Saints, nor make the Saints leave loving of Christ; Job though he lost all, held fast his integrity, Job 2. 3. Unsound hearts when they see the swords and staves are up, leave Christ and shift for themselves: A right-spirited Saint is made of mettal that will not wear out. Athanasius was the glory of his age, he had a counter-motion to the Times; he kept his piety when ⟨p. 81⟩the World turned Arrian. Melancthon, who was called the Phoenix of Germany, was (as St. Ambrose saith) like the Cypress-tree which keeps its verdure and greenness in the winter-season. The Church of Pergamus held fast Christs name, though she dwelt where Satans feat was, Rev 2. 13. This is to be righteous to be faithful to the death*, and not suffer the breast-plate of holiness to be shot thorough.
- 15 Trial.
- 2Non pugnan• sed vincenti dabitur Cor• na.
- *à Carceribus ad nutam.
- *Rev. 2. 10.
