FreachedAuguil 17. 1662. 53 Thirdly, it enables to fufferings, be they never Co afRiaive. There Worthies went through all by the vi&ory that overcame the -- world, the bitteinels as well as the fweetnefs thereof. In thele verfes the Apoitle doth two things : Firft, he lets down the greatnefs and fmartnefs of their fufferings, which are by fume learned men reduced to three heads. Fitt, thole fufferings that were to tempt them, and drew them fromGod,by thole pains and tortures they were to undergo. Secondly, Thole fufferings they underwent indying. Thirdly, their fufferings in regard of wandering, and leaving their comforts, rather then they would lofe God. There were all kind of perfecutions laid upon thee Saints, through all which they waded, and never would be brought to for- fake God and his truth, for any of them. 2. We have here the excel- lency ofthe'fufferer, and that is in that expreflion, thefe men, or- there perfons, when they were under all there diftreffes from the world, yet they were fuch of-whom the world was not worthy. Brethren, the excellency of theie Saints and fervants of God is eon fiderable two wayes,that we may proceed diftin&ly and clearly. Firit, in reference to the wicked ; their excellencywas fo great, that thewickedworld was not worthy ofthem: Secondly, their excellency is difcovered from' the eftimate or judgement that theApoille pall-es upon them, who tells us, that he accounted them to be fuch; though they were under fuch diftreffes troubles,yet they were a people of whom the world was not worthy. I (hall fall upon the due eftimation the bleffed-Apoltle rail-es upon these perfecuted Saints, who was enlightned by the Spirit of God, and fo was able to pars a right fentence upon thefe. perfecuted. Saints ; from this I raife this enluing Oblervation. 0bier v. That a godly man doth fee a verygreat worth and excellency in thepeople of God in the inidft ofall their troubles anddifirefes Or,_ That a godlyman, agracious heart, one that bath fpiritual SpeElades, does fee an excellencyand worth in thepeople ®f God,in the midii of all trouble andperfecution that can befal them, Here I (hall handle it firft doctrinally according to myconftant me- thod, then come to improve it by way of Application. For the Do- &rinal handling of it, there are two things muff be-diCcovered. Firft, wherein the-high eflimation of a gracious heart does ap- pear, wherein it doth dilcover it felf, wherein they fhew they have fuch an high eftimation.. Secondly, whence it is, and how it comes to pars,that godly men have this high and honorableefteem of the Saints and peopleof God .
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