But, 3. (one thing more) They must suffer from a Right Principle, h. e. from a principle of Faith, and true obedience to the will of God: a principle of Love to God; of Fear of His great Name; of Conscience to His will; and that they may keep their Consciences pure in His sight. If a man for Conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully, 1 Pet. 2. 19. If Conscience toward God; Respect, and obedience to His will, carry a man out in suffering, then is he persecuted. Indeed, there are, in a more strict and Scripture-sense, No Persecuted ones, but such as have the fear of God in their hearts: Hence such are pronounced Blessed, Mat. 5. 10. and called Saints, Rev. 17. 6. and 13. 6. which does imply their being in a state of grace. It is possible a man may suffer unto the loss not only of Liberty, but of Life it self; and that in a good cause also; and yet not be a true Member & Martyr of Jesus Christ: not having a true principle of Love to God in him, 1 Cor 13. 3. Socrates, an Heathen, suffered Death ('tis said) for maintaining that there is but one God; and the poor Jews have sometimes been exposed unto great sufferings, because they will not comply with Popish, or Mahometan Superstitions. Arians, and other Heretics have sometimes lost their Lives in the common cause of Christianity, when Pagan enemies have prevailed over them: yea, so have some popish Idolaters done. There have been, that out of pride and vain glory, did suffer not a little. Ecclesiastical History speaketh of those that would Murder themselves, out of a vainglorious ambitious desire to be accounted Martyrs. But if men are acted, and carried out in sufferings from no better principles than those, the Lord will not own them for his persecuted ones.
But, 3. (one thing more) They must suffer from a Right Principle, h. e. from a principle of Faith, and true obedience to the will of God: a principle of Love to God; of Fear of His great Name; of Conscience to His will; and that they may keep their Consciences pure in His sight. If a man for Conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully, 1 Pet. 2. 19. If Conscience toward God; Respect, and obedience to His will, carry a man out in suffering, then is he persecuted. Indeed, there are, in a more strict and Scripture-sence, No Persecuted ones, but such as have the fear of God in their hearts: Hence such are pronounced Blessed, Mat. 5. 10. and called Saints, Rev. 17. 6. and 13. 6. which does imply their being in a state of grace. It is possible a man may suffer unto the loss not only of Liberty, but of Life it self; and that in a good cause also; and yet not be a true Member & Martyr of Jesus Christ: not having a true principle of Love to God in him, 1 Cor 13. 3. Socrates, an Heathen, suffered Death ('tis said) for maintaining that there is but one God; and the poor Jews have sometimes been exposed unto great sufferings, because they will not comply with Popish, or Mahometan Superstitions. Arians, and other Hereticks have sometimes lost their Lives in the common cause of Christianity, when Pagan enemies have prevailed over them: yea, so have some popish Idolaters done. There have been, that out of pride and vain glory, did suffer not a little. Ecclesiastical History speaketh of those that would Murder themselves, out of a vainglorious ambitious desire to be accounted Martyrs. But if men are acted, and carried out in sufferings from no better principles than those, the Lord will not own them for his persecuted ones.
