The fiery trial no strange thing delivered in a sermon preached at Charlestown February…The fiery tryal no strange thing delivered in a sermon preached at Charlestown February…

1. The Compellation, Beloved: The afflictions of the Saints should not alienate our affections from them, or render them any whit less amiable in our eyes: there is no reason why our love should abate, or hearts grow strange to the people of God, because they are persecuted and hated by the World. Jesus Christ loves them, and declares them blessed, Mat. 5. 10. and if they are beloved by Christ, they deserve it of us, if we would be like him: nay their sufferings are for Christ, and on that score ought they to be dear to us, as they stand up for his honour: nay and they are for the Church of Christ too, Col. 1. 24. we have our share in the benefit, which challengeth for them a share in our love.

2. The subject matter about which the Exhortation is given, viz. the Fiery Trial: the word ([Greek or Hebrew]) signifies burning, and so it is Translated, Rev. 18. 9. Thus also some render it here. It designs the more sharp and severe exercises of affliction, such as are occasioned by the violent oppression and persecution of Enemies, which are frequently in Scripture Phrase expressed by the Metaphor of Fire, from the manifold resemblance which is between them: it is here translated Fiery Trial, respecting the end which God looks at in ordering it to befall his people, and that is further expressed and amplified in the description; which is to try you; the Greek is, which befalls you for a temptation or trial, intimating to us the great design of God in all, even the severest Afflictions which his Children suffer; nor is it a vain Tautology, but a needful amplification; flesh and blood being very ready to count of it as rather to destroy, then to prove their Faith.

2. The subject matter about which the Exhortation is given, viz. the Fiery Tryal: the word (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) signifies burning, and so it is Translated,