Christ Set Forth

A cause, or a person that a man hath suffered much for, according to the proportion of his sufferings, is ones love and zeal thereunto; for these do lay a strong engagement upon a man: because otherwise he loseth the thanks and the honour of all that is already done and past by him. Have you suffered so many things in vain? says the Apostle to the Galatians, Chap. 3. 4. where he makes a motive and an incitement of it, that seeing they had endured so much for Christ, and the profession of him, they would not now lose all for want of doing a little more. And doth not the same disposition remain in Christ? especially seeing the hard work is over and dispatched which he was to do on earth; and that which now remains for him to do in heaven, is far more sweet and full of glory, and as the reaping in joy, of what he had here ⟨p. 82⟩sown in tears. If his love was so great, as to hold out the enduring so much; then now when that brunt is over, and his love is become a tried love, will it not continue? If when tried in adversity, (and that is the surest and strongest love) and in the greatest adversity that ever was; if it then held, will it not still do so in his prosperity much more? Did his heart stick to us, and by us in the greatest temptation that ever was; and will his glorious and prosperous estate take it off, or abate his love unto us? Certainly no: [Jesus the same to day, yesterday, and for ever.] Heb. 13. 8. When he was in the midst of his pains, one for whom he was then a suffering, said unto him, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom; and could Christ mind him then? (as you know he did, telling him, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise) then surely when Christ came to Paradise, he would do it much more; and remember him too, by the surest token that ever was, and which he can never forget, namely, the pains which he was then enduring for him. He remembers both them and us still, (as the Prophet speaks of God.) And if he would have us remember his death till he comes, so to cause our hearts to love him; then certainly himself doth it in heaven much more: No question but he remembers us, as he promised to do that good thief, now he is in his Kingdom. And so much for this second Engagement.

A cause, or a person that a man hath suffered much for, according to the proportion of his sufferings, is ones love and zeale thereunto; for these doe lay a strong engagement upon a man: because otherwise he loseth the thanks and the honour of all that is already done and past by him. Have you suffered so many things in vaine? sayes the Apostle to the Galathians, Chap. 3. 4. where he makes a motive and an incitement of it, that seeing they had endured so much for Christ, and the profession of him, they would not now lose all for want of doing a little more. And doth not the same disposition remaine in Christ? especially seeing the hard work is over and dispatcht which he was to doe on earth; and that which now remaines for him to doe in heaven, is farre more sweet and full of glory, and as the reaping in joy, of what he had here