CHAP.I. upon the Epiflle of JAM IS s. VERS.U. temptation ; that is, perfecutior.1 for Religions fake: The immediate firokes of Providence are more properlyCorretlions ; the violenc< s of men againfi us are more properly tryah; t~ere is comfort and bldfednefs in correflions, namely when we recetveprofit by them: Pfalm 49· I 2. Blef{ed u the man whom thou chafleneft, -o Lord; and inftrufleft out of thy Larv. Mark, when the chaftening is from the Lord, there is comfort in it, if there be inftru&tion in it : But •cis far more fweet, when we are meerly called to {utfer for .agood confcience.; Mat. 5. IO. Blejfed are they which are perf'eca– ted for Righteoufnefs falze. There is the bleifednefs more dear. Correflions aymat the mortifying ofJin,and-[q are more humbling·: But tryalsaymat the difcovery ofgrace, and fo are more comfort– a6le. Corrections imply guilt, either we have finned, or are likely to fin, and then God taketh the rod in hand : But tryals befall us, that the world may know our willingnefs to choofe the greate/f ajflicti,rm before the leaft fin, and therefore mufi needs be matter of more joy and bleifedne!s to us: In iliort, correflionsare adi!covery and jilent reproof of our corruptions; but tryals ,adifcovery and publick manifefrati0n of_our inNocenc], not.areproof, fo much as an honour and grace to us. Well then, when you are ealied to fuf– fer for Chrifi, apply this comfort; •tis a blefl'ed thing to endure. evil for that caufe, only be fure your hearts be upright, that it be for Chrift indeed, and your hearts be right with Chrift. I. That it be for Chrifi: Tis not the blood and fujfering that maketh the Martyr, but the Caufe. We are all apt to entitleour qrtarrd to Chrifr, .therefore we tbould go upon the morefure gro;mds. Theglory ofour fufftrings is marred,when there is fame– what ofan svil deed in them, I Pet. 4• 15. And we cannot be fo chearful as in a caufe pttrely _religiom; evils are not welcomed that come mixed in our thoughts) partly tryat, and partlypunifh– ment. 2. That your heart be right for Chrift: The form ofReli11ion may many times draw aperfecution upon it felf, as well as t~ pow~ er; the world hateth both, though the formlefs. Oh how fad is it, that amancometh t0 fuffer, and he hath nothing to bear him out but an empty form! Either fuch kind ofperfons makejhipwrack.. . ofagoo~confcienee, or elfe ouc ofan obfrinacy to theirfaction, do bntf~cnficeaftout body toaftubborn mind;or which is worfe,have I!~;~mg to. fuppo~~ ~~~~,~~~the lMow principle~ ~f v_~in glory, adn/d ~- 3 wor !J
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