Wherein the neceffity and usefulness of Christian fortitude
Preparations for Sufferings : Or, furious aſſaultsoftemptation, and instead ofacloudofwitnesfes,been so many pillars offalt, andmonuments of reproach andshame to religion, iftheir faith had failedin itstrial.
CHAP.
IX.
Wherein the neceffity and usefulness of Christian fortitude in or der tofufferings is evinced, with a brief account of its na ture and the means of attaining it.
Th HE next grace which concurs tothecompleteing ofour actual readiness for fufferings, is Chriſtian fortitude, of holy courage , which muſt ſay in thy heart, in atime ofdan ger, as Elijah once did, "As the Lord lives, Iwill ſhew my
" ſelf." This alſo is a choice part ofyour preparation-work In this grace our apoſtle was eminent: when he was told,
" Bonds and afflictions waited for him;" he could fay, That " none oftheſe things moved him," Acts xx. 24.
Yea,when hewas to appear before the lion Nero, and nota man would own or ſtand by him, yethe ſtands hisground, refolving rather todieon the place, than diſhonourablyto recede from hisprin ciples and profeſſion, 2Tim. iv. 16, 17. He fet the world, with all its threats and terrors, lower than it ſet him. Ohow confpicuous was this grace in all thoſe berges that havepaft on before us ! And if ever you hope to ſtand inthe evilday, andbe fetched offthe fieldwith honour,you must rouze upand awakenyour courage forGod: And the neceffity thereofwill appearupon theſe four confiderations.
1.Becauſe the ſucceſs and prevalence of Satan's temptations inthehour ofperſecutiondependsuponthe fainting andover. throw ofthis grace.
Wherefore dothheraife perfecutions in theworld, but becauſe ſuch terrible things are fitted to work upon the paffion ofcarnal fear, which riſes with thoſe dangers, andmakes the foul as atumultuous ſea.
This is it heaims at, Neh. vị. 13.
This is a multiplying paſſion, that reprefents dangers more andgreater thanthey are, and ſodrives the foul into the very netandſnare laidby the devil totake it.
Prov. xxix. 25. " The fear ofmanbrings a ſnare;" whichwas fadly exemplified in Abraham, Gen. xii. 12. and divers others of the faints.
Ifhecan but ſubduethis grace, he will quickly bring you to capitulate for lifeand liberty,uponthe baſfeft and moſt diſhonourable terms; therefore the preparation ofthis grace is ſo exceedinglyneceſſary.
The best Work in the Worst Times.
2. Becauſe this is the grace thathonours Jeſus Chriſt abun-
-dantly, when you are brought uponthe ſtage for him.
There is a great folemnity at the fuffering and trial of a faint : heaven, earth, and hell, are ſpectators, obſerving the - iſſue, and how the faints will acquit themselves in that hour,
We are made a spectacle, faith the apostle.
The word is Θιατρον εγενήθημεν, we are ſet asupon atheatre inpublic view, 1 Cor. iv. 9. God, angels, and faints, wait to seetheglorious triumphs oftheir faithand courage, reflecting honour upon thename andcauſe ofChriſt.
Devils and wickedmen gape foran advantage by their cowardiſe.
Certainly very much lies now upon the Chriſtian's hands. Shouldhe faint andgive ground, how will it furnishthe triumphs of hell, and make
- Chriſt's enemies vaunt over him, as if his love ran ſo low in the hearts of his people, that they durſt not adventure any thing for him ? Or, as if, notwithstanding their brave words and glorious profeſſion, they durſt not trust their own princi. pleswhenitcomes to the trial? But ifnowtheyplay themen,
E anddiscover an holy gallantryofſpiritand reſolution forChrift, howwill itdauntthe enemies, and makethem ſay as Marcus biſhop ofAretheuſa made one of Julian's nobles, preſent at historments, toſayconcerning him, Weare ashamed,Oemperor, the Christians laugh at your cruelty ! And how will
God himself rejoice and glory over them, as heonce did over Job when he fetchedhim with honour off that firſt field! Job ii. 3. " Stillhe holdeth faſt his integrity."
3. Your own peace is wrapt up in it, as well as God's glory.
Is it nothing, think you, tobefreed from thoſe vulturesand harpies, that feed upon the hearts of men at ſuch times ? SurelyGod reckons, that he promiſeth a very great mercytohis people, whenhe promiſeth it, Prov. i. ult. Pfal. cxii. 7. WhenBorromaeus was told ofſome that lay in wait to take away his life, it troubled him not, but he ſaid, An Deus eft inmundo pro nihilo ? What, isGod in the world for nought ? And like to this was the anfwer ofSilentiarius inthe like cafe; Si Deus mei curam non habet, quid vivo ? IfGod take not care for me, how do I live ? Oh this is it that brings youtoanholyquietude of ſpirit intimesofconfufion anddif traction, which is achoicemercy.
4. Yourmagnanimity is of ſpecial uſe to other faints, who are followingyou in the fame path offufferings.
If you faint, itis likethefainting ofaſtandard-bearerin anarmy: you bring therebyan evil report upon the croſs ofChrist, asthefirstspies didupon the land ofCanaan. And alike influencewith that
Preparation for Sufferings : Or, it is like tohave on your brethren; ſothat there is aneceffity of improving this grace alſo beforeyou can fay with Paul you areready.
2. But what is this Chriſtian fortitude, andwhereindoth it confift.
I anſwer briefly, It is an holy boldness in the performance of difficult duties,flowingfromfaith in the callofGod, and hispromiſe to us in the discharge of them.
Andfo you have the natureofit intheſe fourparticulars.
1. It isanholy boldness, not a naturalor ſinful boldneſs, ariſing either from the natural conſtitution, or evil difpofition ofthemind.
2. It is expreſſed about duties for truth, not error, Jer. ix.
3. for the intereſt of Chrift, not ofthe flesh.
3. The ſeaſon inwhich it appears is, when duties are furrounded and beſetwith difficulties and dangers, Dan. iii. 16.
Dan. vi. 10.
4. The fountainwhence it flows is faith, and thatas itreſpects the command and call ofGod to duty, Acts xvi. 10.
Andhispromiſe to us in the diſcharge thereof, Joth. i. 5,6.
And this grace ſtands oppoſed, both tothe fearof manin the cauſe ofGod, Heb. xi. 27. andtoapoſtacyfromthe truth for fear of fuffering.
Thus briefly ofthe nature of it.
3. In the lastplace, Iſhall laydown ſome rules forthepromotingand improvement of it, and fo finiſh this chapter.
Now there are ten rules heedfully to be obſerved for the breeding ofholy courage in the breaſt ofa faint in eviltimes.
1. Rule. And the firſt rule is this, Get a weaned heart from all earthly enjoyments. Ifthe heartbe inordinately fixed upon anyone thing thatyou poſſeſs intheworld, that inordinate eſtimationof, andaffection for it, will ſtrangelyeffeminate, foften, and cowardize your ſpirit whenyour trialcomes, 2Tim. ii.4. You meetnot withamanofcourage forGod,buthadhis heartdead toearthlythings ; ſo it was with Paul, Phil. iii. 8.
Sincethe apostles, we ſcarce meetwith agreater exampleof holymagnanimitythan Luther; andifyou readhis ſtory, you will find few men ever ſet a lower rate ontheworld than he.
All the Turkith empire in his eye was but a crumb caſt to the dogs.
Germana est haec bestia pecuniam non curat.
Money could not tempt him.
2. Rule. Suffer not guilt to lie upon yourconfciences : itis afountainoffears, andyou cannever attainboldness forGod, till itberemoved,Rom. v.1, 2, 3. The spirit of afoundmind
The best Work in the worst Times.
35x - isopposed to the ſpirit offear, 2 Tim. i. 7. Now that found mind is amind or ſpirit that is not wounded, and made fick and infirm by guilt. Owhat black fogs and miſts ariſe out ofguilt, which becloud our evidences, and fillus with fears anddiſcouragements ! Gen. xlii. 21, 22.
3. Rule. Clear your call to difficult ſervices,be well fatisfied thatyou are in thatway and poſtureGod expects to findyou in.
Owhatcouragethis willgive ! Joth. i.9. Thenaman maypromiſe himself God's preſence and protection, 2 Chron. xv. 2.
But whilſt a man isdubious here, andcannottell whether it behisduty or not, that he is engaging in, how can he have
* eourage to hazardany thing for it? For,thinks he, I may fuffer much from men, andyet have no thanks ofGod for it, I Pet. ii. 9. And further, tilla man beclear inthis, he cannot commithis cauſetoGod. And it is aſadthingto be cut offfrom
5 ſo choice a reliefas that is, 1 Pet. iv. 19.
4. Rule. Getrightnotions and apprehenfions of your enemies .
We are apt to magnify the creature, as ifhe could do more than he can, and thereby disable ourſelves from doing what weshould.
Poffefs your fouls withthe beliefoftheſefive things concerning them.
(1.) Thatthey are poor weak enemies, Ifa. xl . 15, 17, 22. But as a ſwarm ofgnats in the air.
See how God deſcribes them, Ifa. li. 13, 14.
(2.) That little powerthey have is limited by your God, who hath the bounding andordering ofit, Johnxix. 11. Pfal. lxxvi . 10. (3.) They carry guilt upon them, which makes them more timorous than you, Ifa. viii. 12. Their fear is a ftrange fear.
(4.) They only uſe carnalweapons againstyou, which cannottouch yourfouls.
Ifthey were praying enemies that could engage God againstyou, theywouldbe formidable
* enemies indeed; but this they cannotdo. The largest commiſſion that anyofthemever had fromGod, extended buttothe
-bodies and bodily concernments ofthe faints, Luke xii. 4, 5.
They cannot thunder with an arm like God, nor blot your name out ofthe book of life, nor take away your part out of the New Jerufalem ; therefore fear not man. (5.) Your enemies are God's enemies ; and God hath eſpouſed your cauſe and quarrel.
The more cruelthey are, the kinder he will be to you, John ix. 34, 35 .
5. Rule Labour to engage the prefence of God with you inall places and conditions.
Whilftyou enjoythis, your fpirits willbe invincible and undaunted, Joſh. i. 9. Pfal. cxviii.
6.Aweak creature aſſiſted and encouragedby the prefence of agreat God will be able to do and ſuffer greatthings.
Poor
Preparations for Sufferings : Or, fleſh inthehand ofan almighty Spirit acts above itſelf. Alit tledog, if his maſter be by,and animates him, willfeize upon a greater beaſt than himself, thoughhe would run from him were his maſter abſent.
Our courage ebbs and flows as the manifeſtations ofthe divine prefence do. Oh getthyſelf once within the line ofthat promife, Ifa. xliii. 1, 2. and thou art invincible.
6. Rule. Get an high eſtimation ofJeſus Chriſt, and all his concernments.
They that value him highest, will adventure for him farthest. Magnanimous Luther, how inestimable a valuedid he fet upon the truths of Chrift! Ruat coelum, &c.
Let heaven rush rather than a crumb of truth should perish.
Thou wilt never be aman ofzeal and courage for Chrift's in tereft, untilthat interest of Chrift have ſwallowed up allthine own interefts.
No sooner is thefoul acquaintedwith, andin terested in Chriſt, buthe heartily wishes well to all his affairs andconcernments, Pfal. xlv. 3, 4. This is that which puts metal and reſolution for Chriſt into the foul.
7. Rule. Beware yoube notcheatedwithmaxims ofcarnal policy, miſtaken for Chriſtian prudence. Many are ſo: and theyprove deſtructive to all true zeal and courage for Chrift.
Neverwas religion profefſed with greater plainneſs and fimpli city, than by the primitive Chriſtians: and never was there an higher ſpring-tide of courage and zeal forGod, than in thoſe days.
We are apt to call it prodigality, and are grown wiſer tohusband ourlives and comforts, better than theydid.
But indeedour prudentials have even ſwallowedup our religi on.
It is true, there is ſuch a thing as Chriſtian prudence; but this doth not teach men to ſhunall coſtly anddifficultdu ties, and proſttitute confcienceto ſave the ſkin. "Aman of " underſtandingwalketh uprightly," Prov. xv. 21 .
: 8. Rule. Look uponthe infide oftroubles for Chriſt, as well as uponthe outſide of them.
Ifyou view themby an eye of ſenſe, there appeareth nothing but matter ofdifcouragement.
To lookon the outſide ofa priſon, banishment, or death, is affrighting and horrible: butthen, ifye look into the infide of theſe things by faith, and ſee what God hath made them to his people, andhowjoyfulandcomfortable they have beenin theſe conditions ; what honey they havefoundin the carcaſs ofa lion, what fongs inthe ſtocksanddungeons, whatglory. ing intribulation, anhundred-fold rewardeven in their fuf ferings : Othen ! that which looked like a ferpent at a diftance, willappearbut as a rod in hand. Howmanyhave found themſelves quite miſtakenintheir apprehenfions offufferings;
Thebest Work in the worst Times.
- andbeen more loth to come out of apriſon, thanthey were to go in! Ifyoudid but ſee your ſupports, andthe comforts that - fouls ordinarily meetwith in their troubles for Chrift, you wouldnot look on them as ſuch formidable things.
9. Rule. View the iſſue and reward of fufferings by an eye of faith: this alſo will strongly abate the horror anddread of them, Heb. x. 34. Upon this account it is the faints have ſo flighted and contemnedthem, Rom. viii. 18. 2 Cor.iv. 16,
17. Butthen ſee that you act your faith, (1.) Upon the cer- ✓taintyof it: look at it as a most real and ſubſtantial thing,
Heb.xi. 1. (2.) Viewit as a great andglorious reward : And, (3.) As near athand: Andthenſayto thyfoul,comeonmy foul, comeon, ſeeſt thouthejoy ſet before thee ! thecrown ofgloryreadytobeſetonthyheadby thehand of a righteous
God. Oh, what compare is there betwixt thoſe ſufferings, and thatglory !
10. Rule. Propoundtoyourſelves the beſt patterns and examples.
Keep your eye uponthe cloud of witneſſes ; theſe are ofſpecial uſe tobegetholy courage, Heb. xii. 1. James v.
10. Whowouldbe afraidto enterthe lifts, and grapple with that enemythathehathſeenſo often foiled,and thatby apoor weak Chriſtian ? See howthe enemy, withwhom you are to grapple, hath beenbeaten hand tohand, and triumphedover by poorwomen and children; they had as great infirmities, andyou haveas gracious aſſiſtances as thoſe that aregone beforeyou.
CHAP.
Discoveringthe neceſſity ofanheart mortified to allearthly and temporal enjoyments, in order to the right managing of a fufferingcondition : withfeveral directions for theattaining
thereof.
THE HE nextthing whereinyour actualreadineſs for bonds, ordeath confifteth, is in the mortification ofyour affections to all earthly interests and enjoyments ; even the best and sweetest of them : Till this be done, in ſome meaſure, you are not fit to be uſed in anyſuch ſervice forthe Lord, 2
Tim. i. 21. The living world is the very life of temptations: the travailing pains of death are ſtronger and ſharper upon none, than thoſe that are full of ſenſeand ſelf. As you fee
VOL . VII.
Preparations for Sufferings : Or, in nature, what conflicts and agonies ſtrong and lively perfons fufferwhenthey die; when others, inwhom nature is decayedand ſpent before-hand, die away without halfthat pain, even as a bird in a ſnell.
Corruption in the faints, is like the ſap in green wood, which reſiſteth the fire, and will not burn well, till itbe dried up.
Prepared Paul had an heart mortified in a very high degree, to all the honour and riches of the world, accounting them all but trifles, Gal. vi. 14
1 Cor. iv. 3, 4.
The needofthiswill beevincedby theſe five confiderations.
1. Unleſs the heart be mortified to allearthly enjoyments, they will appeargreat andglorious things inyour eye and efti mation; and if fo, judge what a taſk you will have, todeny and leave them all in a fuffering hour.
It is corruption with in, that puts the luſtre andglory upon things without: it is thecarnal eye only that gazes admiringly after them, 2 Cor. v. 16. and hence the luft is putto expreſs the affection, 1 John ii. 16. becauſe all that inordinate affection we have to them, arifes from our high eſtimation ofthem, and that eſtimation from our lufts, that repreſent them as great and glorious.
Therefore, certainly, it willbe difficult (ifnot impoffible) to denythem, tilltheyhave loft theirglory in your eye; andthat they will neverdo, till thoſe lufts within you, that putthat beauty and neceſſityuponthem, be first crucified. As for infrance, what aglory and neceſſity doth the pride of men put uponthe honour and credit of the world, ſothatthey willra ther chooſe to die, than ſurvive it ? But to a mortifiedſoul it is afmall matter, 1 Cor. iv. 3. So for riches,howmuch arethey adored, till our lufts be mortified ?andthenthey areefteemed butdung anddrofs, Phil. iii. 8. It is our corruptions that paint andgildovertheſethings : whentheſe arecrucified,thofe will be lightly eſteemed.
2. Mortification of corruptions is that which recovers an healthful ſtateof foul: fin isto the foul, what a diſeaſe isto thebody; and mortification is to fin, what phyſic is to adifcafe. Hencethoſe that are but a little mortified, arein a comparative ſenſe called carnal, 1 Cor. iii. 3. and babes, ver. 2. in refpectof weakneſs. Now, fuffering work being fome of the Chriftian's hardeſt labour and exerciſe,he cannotbe fitted for it,untilhis foul be in an healthful ſtate : a fickly man cannot carry heavyburdens, or endure hard laboursand exerciſes; the fick foldier is left behind in his quarters, or put into the hoſpital, whilft his fellows are dividing the ſpoils,and obtain ing glorious victories inthe field. Tothis ſenſe ſomeexpound
The best Work in the worst Times.
46Rom. viii. 13.3. " Ifye live after the fleſh, ye ſhall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds ofthe body, ye
" ſhalllive." Whereas death isput to note alanguiſhing ſtate of foul, whilft mertification is neglected ; ſo life is put to expreſs anhealthful and comfortable ſtate ; viverepro valere ; fo thatupon this account alſo the neceffityof it appears.
3. Your corruptions mustbe mortified, elſe theywill be raging and violent in the time of temptation, and, like a torrent, ſweep awayall your convictions and reſolutions.
It is finunmortifiedwithin, thatmakes theheartlike gun-powder ; ſothat whentheſparksoftemptationflyabout it, (andthey fall thick in a fuffering hour) they dobut touch and take. Hence the corruptions ofthe world are faid to be through luft, 2 Pet. i. 4.
With theſe internal unmortified lufts,the tempter holds corre ſpondence ; and theſebe the traitors that deliver upour fouls
- intohis hands.
4. Unleſs youbediligentandſucceſsfulin this work, though you ſhould ſuffer, yet not like Chriſtians ; you will but difgrace religion, and the cauſe for whichyou fuffer ; for it isnot fimple ſuffering, but fuffering as a Chriſtian, that reflects crediton religion, and finds acceptationwithGod.
Ifyou be envious, fretful, diſcontented, and revengeful, under your ſufferings,what honourwill this bring to Chriſt ? Isnot this altogether unlike the example of your Lord ? Ifa. liii. 7. and the behaviour of fuffering faints ? 1Cor. iv. 13.
Yetthus it will be, ifyour pride, paffion, andrevenge, be not firſt ſubdued: forwhat are the breakings forth of ſuch diftempers ofſpirit, but as the flushes ofheat in the face from an ill-affected liver ? Moſt certain itis,that all theſeevils arein your natures, and as certain it is, theywill riſe like mude and filth from the bottom of alake,when ſome eminent trials ſhall rake you to the bottom ; Natura vexata proditfeipfam.
5. Lastly, Mortification must be ſtudiedand pliedwith diligence ; elſe you will findmany longings andhankerings after earthly enjoyments and comforts, which will prove a ſnare to you: whatis fin,butthe corrupt and vitiatedappetiteofthecreature, tothings that are earthly and ſenſual, reliſhingmore ſweetneſs anddelight inthem, thanin the bleſſedGod ? Andwhat is fanctification, but the rectifying oftheſe inordinate affections, andplacing themon their proper object ? A regenerate and mortified Chriftian taſtes not halfthat ſweetneſs in forbidden fruits that anotherdoth: ſet but money before Judas, and fee kow eagerlyhe catches at it - " What will ye give me,
Yy2
Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, " and Iwillbetrayhim ?" Setbut life, liberty, or any fuch baitbefore an unmortified heart, and how impotent is heto withstandthem, as offered in atemptation ? Oh thoſe unmortified lufts ! how do they make men hanker, long, and their lips water (as we uſe to ſay) after theſe things ? This makes them break priſon,decline ſufferings, though upon the baſeft terms : whereas a mortified Chriſtian can ſee all theſe things ſet before him, yea, offered to him, and refuſe them, Heb. x.
35. It is withthemmuch as it was with old Brazillai, 2Sam. xix. 35.
When nature is decayed,they find but littlepleaſure in natural actions, Ecclef. xii. 1. And look asthe body of fin decays and languishes, ſodo theſe longings alſo : Itweansthe foul from them all, and enables it to live very comfortably without them, Pfal. cxxxi. 1. Phil. iv. 12.
There needs no moretobe faidto evincethe neceſſity ofniortification, and dif cover what influence it hath into a Chriſtian's readineſs for fufferings.
It remains therefore, that I open toyou ſome of the prin cipal corruptions, aboutwhich it mostly concerns you to be ſtowpains ere ſufferings come. Now look as there are four principal enjoyments, inwhich you are like to be tried, viz.
Estate, name, liberty, life; ſothe Chriſtian work in ſuffering times lies in mortifying theſe four ſpecial corruptions, viz.
First,The loveofthe world. Secandly, Ambition. Thirdly, Inordinateaffectation offreedom andpleaſure.
Fourthly, Excel five love oflife.
1. For the love ofthis world, awaywith it, crucify it, crucify it : downwith this idol, and let itbe dethroned in all that intend to abide with Chriſt in the hour of temptation : how elſewill you take the ſpoiling ofyour goods ? How will you be able to part with all for Chriſt, as theſe blefſed ſouls did ?
Itgrieves myheart to ſeehow many profeffors ofreligion are carried captive at the chariot-wheels ofa bewitching world.
Oh! goodhad itbeen for many profeffors, ifthey had never taſtedſo muchofthe ſweetness ofit.
Sirs, Ibeg you, for the Lord's ſake, down with it inyour estimations, downwith itin your affections, elſe temptations willdown with you ere long.
I shall offer five or fixhelps forthe crucifying of it.
First, Confider youreſpouſals toChriſt, andhow you have choſenandprofeſſedhim for your Lord and husband: there fore your doating upon the world is no less than adulteryagainst Chriſt, James iv. 4. IfChriſt beyour husband,he must beacovering toyour eyes; anunchasteglanceupontheworld woundshim.
The best Work in the worst Times .
Secondly, The moreyou prize it, the more you willbe tormentedbyit; didyou prize and love it leſs, it would diſquiet and vex you leſs : it is ourdoating on it, that makes it draw bloodatparting.
Thirdly, Get true fcripture-notions of the world, and rectifyyourjudgments and affections bythem. Ifyou willhave the truepicture and representation of itdrawnby the hand of Godhimself, ſee 1 John ii. 16. itis nothing elſe but luft that puts that lustre upon it: It hath but a phantastic glory, and : that alſo paſſeth away. What is become ofthem that ruffled itout inthe worldbut one hundred years ago ? What could the world do for them ? Are they not all gonedown tothe fides ofthe pit ? "But he that doth the will ofGod abideth
" for ever,"
Fourthly, Study and contemplate Chriſt, and the things above more : this would veilt all its glory, and kill it at the root, Phil. iii. 18, 19.
Juſt as a man that hath been gazing uponthe fun, when hetakes off his eye from that bright and glorious creature, and looks to the earth, there is a veil of darkneſs overſpreadingthe face ofit, that he can fee nothing.
I wonderhow fuch as pretend to live above, and enjoy communion with God, can ever reliſh ſuch ſweetneſs inthe world, orhave their hearts enticed and captivated byit.
Fifthly, Rememberalways, that byyour love anddelight in worldlythings, you furnish thedevil with the chiefeft bait he hath tocatch anddestroy yourfouls. Alas ! wereyour hearts butdead to theſe things, he would want anhandle to catch hold on. What hath hemore to offer you, and tempt you off from Chriſt with, but a littlemoney, or ſome ſuch poor temporal rewards ? andhow littlewouldthat foulbemovedbyſuch atemptation,that looks on it all but as dirt ?
Sixthly, Laſtly, Take notice ofthe approaches ofeternity : remember you are almoſt at the end oftime: and whenyou come to launch out into that endleſs ocean, how will theſe things look then ? It seems glorious, whilst you are in the chaceand purſuit ofit; butupon a death-bed, you will overtake andcomeup with it, and then youwill fee what a deceitful and vainthing itis: ſtand by thebeds ofdying men, and hearhowthey ſpeak of it. Oh ! the difference betwixt our apprehenfions then, and now! Thus labour to wean off your affections, and crucify them tothe world.
2. Mortify your ambition and vain affectation of the repute and credit of the world: Oh ſtand not on ſo vain a
Preparationsfor Sufferings: Or, thing asthis: judgeit but a ſmallthingtobejudged ofman, to haveyour names caſt out as evil: letnotſcoffs and reproaches be ſuch terrible things to you.
It is, withoutdoubt, a great trial ; elſethe holyGhost had not added a peculiar epithet to it,which is not given to anyother of the ſufferings of the faints: not cruel tortures, nor cruel ſtonings,burnings, flaying with the ſword; but cruel mockings,Heb. xi. 36. Yet learn to bedead to, and unaffected with theſe things; ſetthe reproaching world as light, and as lowas it ſets you: Deſpiſe theſbame, as your maſter Chriſt did, Heb. xii. 2. And to promote mortification inthis, take theſe helps.
1. Confider this is no new or ſtrange thingthat hath happened to you : the holiest ofmenhave pastthrough the like, if not worſe trials, Heb. x. 33. Pfal. xliv. 14. Reproaches have been the lot ofthe beſt men.
They called Athanafius, Sathanafius ; Cyprianus,Coprianus, a gathererofdung; bleffed Paul, apeftilentfellow ; Dr. Story threw a faggot at ſweet
Mr. Denlie's face, as he was finging apſalm in the midst of the flames, ſaying, Ihavespoiled a good oldfong.
2. It maybe religion hath been reproached and ſcoffed at for your fakes; and ifſo, think it not much to be reproached for religion's fake.
3. It ismuch better to be reproachedby men for difcharging duty, than by your own confciences for the neglect ofit ; ifall bequietwithin, never be movedatthe noiſe and clamourwith out : Ifyou have a good roofover your head, be not troubled though the winds and ſtorms bluſter abroad, 1 Pet. iv. 14.
Take heedwhatyou do, and be heedleſs whatthe world ſays.
4. Always remember, that you neither ſtand nor fallat the world's judgment, and therefore have the leſs reaſon to be troubled at it, 1Cor. iv. 3. If your condition were to be caft to eternity by it, it were ſomewhat.
5. There is a worthandexcellencyinthereproaches ofChrift, as bad as they feem ; and ſuch an excellency, as is not to be matched by anyearthlyenjoyment, Hebxi. 26. The reproaches ofChriſt are of moreworth thanthe treaſures of Egypt, thơ'
Egypt then was the magazine ofthe world for treafures. The apoftles countedthem their honours, Acts v. 41. When LudovicusMarſacus, a knight of France, fawthoſe thatwereto fuffer with him in the chains, andthattheyput none upon him, becauſe ofthe nobility ofhis birth, he faid to the executioner,
Gur me non quoque torquidonas, et illuftris illius ordinis militem non creas ?
Why doye not honourme with a chain too, and ' createme aknight ofthatnoble order ?"
The best Work in the worst Times.
6. Lastly, Should fcoffs and reproaches ſcare you from - Chriſt and duty; then, though you should eſcape the reproaches of men, yet ſhall you fall under the everlasting con tempt ofGod, angels, and goodmen.
Therefore, " Fear ye " not the reproaches ofmenthat ſhall die, norbe afraidof their
" revilings, for the moth ſhall eat them up like a garment, " and the worm ſhall eat them like wool, but my righte- " ouſneſs ſhall be for ever, and my ſalvation from generation
" to generation," Ifa. li. 7, 8 .
3. Mortify your inordinate affections of liberty, pleaſure, and delicate living. O let not a priſon ſeem ſo formidable to you. It is true, as Chriſt told Peter, in John xxi. 18. " When
" thou waſtyoung,thougirdedſt thyself, and walkedſt whither " thou wouldſt ; butwhen thou shaltbe old,thou shalt ſtretch
" forth thy hands, and another ſhall gird thee, and carry thee " whither thou wouldſt not."
You have now your liberty to go whither you will, and it is a precious mercy ifwell improved; the birds ofthe air (asone faith)had rather be in the woods at liberty, though lean and hungry, than in agolden cagewith the richest fare. Butyet, ifGod will call you to denythis alſo for Chriſt, ſee that you be ready to bebound as Paul was, and receivethe chainandbondsofChristwiththankffgiving : To whichend, confider,
1. That the affliction, in ſuch cases of restraint, is more from within, than from without you.
There is no place but may be delectable to you, if your heart be heavenly, andthe preſence ofGod be engagedwith you. What a ſweet night hadJacob at Bethel! Paul and Silas inthe ſtocks ! See that precious letter ofPomponiusAlgerius.
* Tranftulit in cælum Chriſti prafentia clauftrum ; Quidfaciet cælo ? quæ cælumjam creat antro.
It isyour own unbelief and impatiency, that gives you more
trouble than the condition.
2. No keeper cankeep the comforter from you, ifyou be the Lord's prisoners, Acts xvi. If they could bar out the Spirit fromyou, it would be adiſmal place indeed : But ordinarily,
there the faints have their clearest viſions ofGod, and ſweetest prefence of the Spirit. You are the Lord's freemen, whilst men's prisoners : All the world cannotdiveſtyou of thestate ofliberty Chrift hath purchased for you, John viii. 36.
* Ifthe presence ofChriſt once changed a priſon into a kind of heaven,what will itdo in heaven itſelf, which even here doth make adungeon like heaven ?
Preparationsfor Sufferings : Or, 3. Though aprison looks fad anddiſmal,yetit isnot hell:
Ohbleſs God for that, that is a fadpriſon indeed ! Beloved, menhave their prisons, andGod hath his: God's priſon is a terrible prison indeed, thousands are now there in chains,
1 Pet. iii. 19.,and thereyou deſerved to have been fent long ago : IfGod exchange an hellfor aprison,haveyou any caufe to complain ?
4.How obdurate and cruel ſoevermen are to you, yet the LordJesus is kind and tender-heartedtohis prisoners ; he puts the kindneſſes that any ſhew them upon his own account,
Matth. xxv. 36. " He looks down from heaven to hear the " fighings and groanings ofhis prifoners," Pfal. cii. 20. He willtenderly ſympathize withyou inallyourprisonftraitsand troubles.
5. Aprison hath beenhandſelledand perfumedby the beſt and holiest ofmen inall ages, I Kíngs xxii. 27. Jer. xxxii. 2.
Matth. iv. 12. Acts v. 18. andxxvi. 10. Godhath made it a fettledfchool ofdifcipline to them.
6. Shouldyou, to avoida prison, commita fin, instead of beingman's prisoner, you ſhall be clapt upbyGod, forhehath a priſon for your fouls even in thisworld, Pfal. cxlii. 7. And this is tenthousandtimes more dreadful, than anydungeon in the world. Oh it is a dark prifon ! nothingto let intheleaft beam ofGod's countenance uponyour poorfouls. What a fad exchange have you made then ?
7.Conſiderwhata ground ofcomfort God hath laid in that word, Rev. ii. 10. to obviate the fears and terrors incidentto us in fuch a condition : God hath limited Satan and his inſtruments, both fortime, number, and all circumſtances of the trial.
8. Lastly, You do not know what a mercymay be init:
It may be a time ofretirement from the world, andthe clamours and diſtractions that are abroad.
Theſe days ofimpri fonment may be your holy-days ; as a prisoner of Chrift once called them .
4. Get an heart mortified to the exceſſive and inordinate love of life: This, I confeſs, is the highest and hardeft point ofself-denial, becauſe itwraps up allotherfelf-interests init.
But yet conſider, First,Though lifebe verydear, yet JeſusChriſt istenthou fandtimes dearerthan thy life: Ifthoubea faint, he isthe life ofthy life, and the length ofthydays; and in comparison of him, andhisglory, faints ſhould,andhavedeſpiſedand flightedtheir lives, Luke xiv. 26. Rev. xii. 11 .
The best Work in the worst Times.
Secondly, Die you must : and ifby ſhrinking from Chrift, you should protract amiferable life for a few days longer, in themeantime loſing that which is better than life, Pfal. Ixiii.
3. Matth. x. 39. Oh! when you lie upon your death-bed, youwillwish that you had obeyedGod's call, and fo have departed in peace.
Thirdly, Ifyouhave cordially covenanted with Chriſt, (as all fincere believers have done), then you have yielded up your lives tohim, to bediſpoſed offor his glory, Rom. xiv. 7. So that, lookas Chriſt both livedanddied foryou ; ſo oughtyou to liveas Christ : Andallthe excellency you fee in life, confifts inthatreference and ſubſerviency it hath to his glory.
I fay then, ifyouhave underſtandingly and cordially tranſacted in a covenant-way with him, your care will not be ſo much how to ſhun death, as by what death you may moſt glorify God,
Johnxxi. 19. And certainly, you can never lay them down upon a more honourable or comfortable account than in his cauſe, and for his fake.
Itwas a great trouble to Luther, that he carried his blood to his grave.
Fourthly, To die for Chriſt, is one of the highest teftifications ofyour love to Chriſt, that you are capable of, John xiii.
37. Yea, it is ſuch ateftification ofyour lovetothe Lord Jeſus, as angels are not capable of making.
Fifthly, Why ſhould you decline even a violent death for Chriſt, when as the bitterness ofdeath is paſt, and there is no hell following the pale horse ? It cannot ſeparate you from Chriſt, Rom. viii. 38 .
Sixthly, Think what a death Chriſt ſuffered for you : In which the fulness ofthe wrath both ofGod and man met together, ſo that he was fore amazed; yet with defire, did he defire it foryour fakes.
7. Lastly, Think what a life you ſhall have with Chriſt, as foon as this is delivered up to, and for him, 2Tim. ii. 12. It is but wink, and you ſhall ſee God.
Oh that theſe things might provoke you to follow on, and ply the work of mortification .
VOL . VII.