SPIRITUUAL PEACE AND COMPORT. 37l or to be earnest in opposing the sins of others, and to preach zeal- ously and frequently, (much more ifhe have double honor by it, reverent obedience, and maintenance, as ministers of the gospel have, or ought to have.). It it hard to discern sincerity in such a course of piety and duty. Woe to those persecutors that shall put us to the trial how far we can go in suffering for Christ; but it should be a matter of rejoicing to us, when we are put upon it. To be patient in tribulation is not enough ; but to rejoice in it is also the duty of asaint. Let those that think this draweth men to rejoice too much in themselves, but hear what the Lord Jesus him- self saith, and his Spirit in his apostles.: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake ; for theirs is the kingdom ofheaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and perse- cute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely fòr my name's sake : rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your re- ward in heaven;" Matt. v. 10-12. "My brethren, count it all joywhen ye fall into divers temptations, (not inwardtemptations of the devil and our lust, but trials by persecution,) knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that en- dureth temptation ; for when he, is tried, he shall receivethecrown oflife, which the Lord bath promised to them that love him ; " James i. 2, 3. 12. See Luke vi. 23. 1 Pet. iv. 13. Acts v. 41. 2 Cor. vi. 10. vii. 4. Col. i. 11. Heb. x. 34. 2 Cor. xiii. 9. xii. 15. 0, how gloriously doth a tried faith shine, to the comfort of the believer,and the admiration of the beholders ! How easily may a Christian try himself at such a time, when God is trying him ! One hour's experience, when we have found that our faith can endure the furnace, and that we can hazard or let go all for Christ, will more effectually resolve all our doubtings of our sincer- ity, than many a month's trial by mere questioning ofour own de- ceitful hearts. Object. 'But, you may say, what ifGod call me not to suffering or hazards ? Must I cast myself upon it without a call? Or must I be therefore without comfort ?' Answ. No ; you shall not need to cast yourself upon suffering, nor yet to be without comfort for want of it. I know no man but may serve God at dearer rates to the flesh than, mostof us do, with- out stepping out of the way of his duty. Nay, he must do it, ex- cept he will avoid his duty. Never had the churchyet such times of prosperity, but that faithful dutywould hazard men, and cause their trouble in the flesh. Can you not, nay, ought you not, to put yourself to greater labor for men's souls ? If you should but go day after day among the poor, ignorant people where you live, and instruct them in the knowledge of God, and bear with all their, weakness and rudeness, and continue thus with patience, this might
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