542 Chap.3 t. An Expofition upon the Book ,of J o B. ' Verf.25. is more to be rejoyced in, then the getting and keeping the grea- teft portions of this world. While a Confcience well informed fpeakes us faire, we may fing for joy thoughall men reproach and rayle upon us. Sixthly , Rejoyce in thehope ofthe gloryofGod I (Rom.S, 2. ) that hope is better then all your poff,fiions ; that goodneffe which God hath wrought for us is much to be rejoyced in,much more that which he hath laya up for us. Seventhly, Rejoyce that your Wastes are written in heaven! ( Luke so. zo.) That's better then to haveyour name's written among the rich, or with the Honorable ofthe earth. Eighthly Rrjoyceeven in she Croffe ofChrift, or in bis fufferings for you. Paul rejoyced fo much in that, that he with higheft indignation or difdaine, forbad the leaft motion of any other Joy. ( Gal. 6. 14.) Godforbid that I toldgl ry, five in the Cre ff'e ofour Lord j?efus Chri ff,by whom(or whereby) theworld iocrucified untowee and Iunto the world. The fOrrows and fuffer- ings ofChrift for our fins, fhould ar oncewound our hearts with forrow that we have finned, and aff.&our hearts with joy, that through his (tripes we are healedof our fin-wounds. Ninthly Reoyce, as in the Croffe ofChrift for you , fo in your croffe for Chrift. How honorable is it to rejoyce in fuffer- ing for Chrift, and in our conformity toChrift by lisffering. Suf- fering for Chrift is not every ones priviledge , 'tie given but to Tome ('Phil. 1.29.) And though fufferiog even for Chrift be grievous to the flefb,yet asChrifthimfelfe exhorts(Mlath.5. z.) we have reafon to rt oyce and be exceeding glad, for great is our reward in heaves. So chore bleff d ones did (Heb. IO. 34.) who took joyfully the /poyling oftheirgoods, knowing in themfelves that :beyhad in heaven a better and an enduring fubf#ance. Many re- joyce at the encreafing of their goods and lívelyhoods, but can you reJoyce in the fpoyling ofyour goods and livelyhoods, yea ofyour lives for (J rift ? that's 'joy worthy of a Chriflian. Secondly , As for thof whohave nothing but wealth to re- Joyce in,meere worldly men,who as they havea great portion in the things ofthis life,fo they have their whole portion in this life; may fay to fuch, ceafe reloycing that your wealth is great; mourne rather for tour snifery is great. Goe home and weepe over your gold and filver, asthe Apoftle7amet fpeakes (Chap.5. 1,2,3)
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