A strong Christian discovers himself by divers things. First,1 he is spiritual, that is, such a one as not only hath a taste and desire after spiritual things, but is also ruled by the Word and Spirit of God, that he restrains the evils of the flesh both in heart and life, so as he gives not occasion either of scandal to the weak, or of scorn to them that are withoutb. Secondly, he is able to be baptised with the baptism that Christ was baptised with, and to drink of the cup that Christ drank of: he is not only willing to bear ordinary wrongs and crosses, but is prepared for the worst the world or Satan may do to himc. 3. He can bear the infirmities of the weak, and in conversing, deny himself, and please his Brother in that that is good to edificationd. 4. He is full of goodness and knowledge, and is able to admonishe, and comfort others, with the comforts he hath found himself f5. He sins not in wordg, that is, he is able to govern his tongue with Wisdom, Meekness, Grace and Truth. The ordinary faults of speech are not found in his Tongue. 6. He is not careful for his life, to take thought for what he shall eat, or what he shall drink; nor doth he disquiet his heart about his body, what he shall put on: for these outward things he can easily trust his heavenly Father h7. He can love his enemies, endure wrongs without resistance or revenge; or if he use the help of the Magistrate, he can seek it without malice or cruelty: he can bless them that curse him, and pray for them that despite him, and do good to them that hate himi. Lastly, in Faith he is strong, like Abraham, Rom. 4.16. to the end. He can believe things to come as well as if they were present, Vers. 17. he can believe above hope and under hope: Vers: 18. he looketh, not to the means, but to the promise: Vers. 19. he vanquisheth doubts: Vers. 20. he is as thankful for promises, as others would be for performances: Vers. 20.21. for these things were not only true of Abraham but may be true in us also, Vers. 23.24. who may have as great help from Christ as ever he had, Vers. 25.
A strong Christian discouers himselfe by diuers things. First,1 hee is spirituall, that is, such a one as not onely hath a taste and desire after spirituall things, but is also ruled by the Word and Spirit of God, that hee restraines the euils of the flesh both in heart and life, so as hee giues not occasion eyther of scandall to the weake, or of scorne to them that are withoutb. Secondly, hee is able to be baptised with the baptisme that Christ was baptised with, and to drinke of the cup that Christ dranke of: he is not onely willing to beare ordinary wrongs and crosses, but is prepared for the worst the world or Sathan may doe to himc. 3. Hee can beare the infirmities of the weake, and in conuersing, deny himselfe, and please his Brother in that that is good to edificationd. 4. Hee is full of goodnesse and knowledge, and is able to admonishe, and comfort others, with the comforts hee hath found himselfe f5. Hee sinnes not in wordg, that is, hee is able to gouerne his tongue with Wisedome, Meekenesse, Grace and Truth. The ordinary faults of speech are not found in his Tongue. 6. He is not carefull for his life, to take thought for what he shall eate, or what he shall drinke; nor doth he disquiet his heart about his body, what he shall put on: for these outward things hee can easily trust his heauenly Father h7. He can loue his enemies, endure wrongs without resistance or reuenge; or if hee vse the helpe of the Magistrate, hee can seeke it without malice or crueltie: hee can blesse them that curse him, and pray for them that despight him, and doe good to them that hate himi. Lastly, in Faith hee is strong, like Abraham, Rom. 4.16. to the end. Hee can beleeue things to come as well as if they were present, Vers. 17. hee can beleeue aboue hope and vnder hope: Vers: 18. hee looketh, not to the meanes, but to the promise: Vers. 19. hee vanquisheth doubts: Vers. 20. hee is as thankefull for promises, as others would bee for performances: Vers. 20.21. for these things were not onely true of Abraham but may be true in vs also, Vers. 23.24. who may haue as great helpe from Christ as euer he had, Ʋers. 25.
- 1Of the strong Christian: and how he may be known.Of the strong Christian: and how he may be knowne.
- b1 Cor: 3.1.
- cMat: 20.22.23.
- dRom: 15.1.2.
- eRom: 15.14.
- f2 Cor: 1.4.
- gJames 3.1.Iames 3.1.
- hMath: 6.25.30.
- iMath: 5:38. to the end.
