N00255:60
A sermon wherein is showed that the church of God is sometimes a subject…A sermon wherein is shewed that the church of God is sometimes a subject…
A sermon wherein is showed that the church of God is sometimes a subject of great persecution; preached on a public fast at Boston in New-England: occasioned by the tidings of a great persecution raised against the Protestants in France. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a church of Christ. ; [Eight lines of quotations]A sermon wherein is shewed that the church of God is sometimes a subject of great persecution; preached on a publick fast at Boston in New-England: occasioned by the tidings of a great persecution raised against the Protestants in France. / By Increase Mather, teacher to a church of Christ. ; [Eight lines of quotations]
printed for Samuel Sewall, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. The Lord hereby aimeth At the Good of his people. They are bettered as to their spiritual estates, by all those sufferings which in this world they are subject unto. God's children are like Stars, that shine brightest in the darkest night; like Spices, that smell sweetest when pounded. It is noted of the persecution under Antiochus, Dan. 11. 35. It should be to Purge the saints, & to make them White. Their temporal losses are made up in Spirituals. Mar. 10. 29 30 Whoever does leave or lose any thing for my sake (says Christ) shall receive an Hundred fold now in this time with Persecution. If persecutors prevail so as to deprive them of their Estates, then god gives them spiritual Mercies, that shall an Hundred fold make up their outward Miseries. Yea, at the last they are partakers of the greater glory in the highest Heaven for ever; because of the persecutions which they have endured. Their light afflictions work for them a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory. 2. Cor. 4. 7. See 1 Pet. 1. 17. There is indeed a special crown of glory, which the Lord hath prepared, and reserved for them that suffer for His sake, and are Martyrs in His Cause. It is said to such, Great is your Reward in Heaven Mat. 5. 12. Hence were the Christians in the primitive times most desirous to suffer Martyrdom. How did they even long to be exposed to the utmost sufferings: because they knew there was a special crown of glory that such sufferers should receive!
3. The Lord hereby aymeth At the Good of his people. They are bettered as to their spiritual estates, by all those sufferings which in this world they are subject unto. God's children are like Starrs, that shine brightest in the darkest night; like Spices, that smell sweetest when pounded. It is noted of the persecution under Antiochus, Dan. 11. 35. It should be to Purge the saints, & to make them White. Their temporal losses are made up in Spirituals.