Words whereby we may be saved. By Thomas Vincent, sometime minister of Maudlins milk-street,…

Direction 7. You must resolve upon sufferings for Christ, if called, if you would be saved; you must bear the Cross, if you would wear the Crown, remembering that if the Cross be weighty it will work ⟨p. 58⟩for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17. you must reckon upon sufferings for Christ before hand, and resolve that you will stick to him and his ways, though you should lose esteem by it, and become the Drunkards Song, and be reproached amongst men; though you lose liberty by it, and be thrust into Prison; though you should lose Estate by it, and be brought to pinching want; though you should lose Friends by it, and have none to stand by you; though you should lose Life by it, and be cut off in the midst of your years; otherwise you cannot be Christs Disciples indeed, and obtain this salvation which he hath purchased. See the terms which our Saviour propounds, Luk. 14. 26, 27. If any man come unto me, and hate not his Father and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren and Sisters, yea and his own life, he cannot be my Disciple. This we are to understand, that a man must choose to displease Father, Mother, Wife, Children, the nearest and dearest Relations, and part with any thing in the world, yea with Life it self, rather than to displease and part with Jesus Christ; and that we must resolve to bear the Cross, whatever it be that God hath allotted for us, otherwise we do not accept of Christ upon Gospel-terms; you must resolve to be partakers of the affliction of the Gospel, if you would obtain the salvation of the Gospel; you must resolve to suffer with Christ, and for his sake when called, if you would reign and be glorified together with him. Whatever profession you make of Christ and his ways in time of peace and prosperity, when the Sun of persecution doth arise upon you with burning heat, you will wither and fall away, and turn