The beatitudes

Doctr. Doctr. The observation is, that true godliness is usually attended with persecution. Acts 14.22. We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. Acts 13.50. The Jews stirred up the chief men of the City, and raised persecution against Paul, &c. Luther makes it the very definition of a Christian, Christianus quasi crucianus; though Christ dyed to take away the Curse from us, yet not to take away the Cross from us: Those stones which are cut out for a Building, are first under the Saw and Hammer to be hewed and squared; the godly are called lively stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. And they must be hewen and polished by the Persecutors hand, that they may be fit for the heavenly building; the Saints have no Charter of exemption from trials; though they be never so meek, merciful, pure in heart, their piety will not shield them from sufferings; they must hang their harp on the willows, and take the Cross; the way to heaven is via spinosa, & sanguinea; though it be full of Roses in regard of the comforts of the Holy Ghost, yet it is full of thorns in regard of persecutions. Before Israel got to Canaan, a Land flowing with milk and honey, they must go through a Wilderness of serpents, and a red Sea: So the children of God in their passage to the holy Land, must meet with fiery Serpents, and a red Sea of persecution. It is a saying of Ambrose, there is no Abel