3o8 The Fift Sermon On this Text. SERMON XLV. The Support of Good Men, under their Suffer- ings for Religion. i PETER 4. 19. Wherefore, let them that fifer according to the Will of God, commit the keeping of their Souls to him in welldoing, as unto a faithful Creator. TH I S Epiftle was written by St. Peter, who was the Apof le of the Cir- cumcifion, to the difperfed Jews, who were newly converted to Chri- ltianity ; and the Defign of it is to Confirm and Eftablifh them in the Profefíion of ; and to inftrnft them how they ought to demean themfelves to- ward the Heathen, or Gentiles, among whom they liv'd ; and more particularly to arm and prepare them for thofe Sufferings and Perfecutions, which he foretels would tbortly overtake' them for the Profeffionof Chriftianity, that when they fhould happen, they might not be furprifed and ftartled at them, as if Come ftrange and unexpeCted thing were come upon them ; at the Seth v. of this Chap- ter, Beloved, think it not ftrange concerning the fiery Tryal which is to try you 5 that is, do not wonder and be not aftonith'd at it, a if fame orange thing bapned un- to you. And then heinftru&ts them more particularly, how they ought tobehave them- felves under thofe Trials and Sufferings, when they thould happen 5 not only with Patience, whichMen ought to exercifeunder all kinds of Sufferings, upon what Account and Caufe foever ; but with Joy and Chearfulnefs 5 confidertng the glorious Example and Reward of them, ver. 13. but rejoyce, in as much as ye are Partakers of Chrift's Sufferings 5 that when his Glory (hall be revealed, ye may be glad alfo with exceeding f oy : And at the 14 ver. he tells them, that betides the En- couragement of fo great an Example, and fo glorious a Reward, they should be fupported and of ffed in a very extraordinarymanner, by the Spirit of God reff- ing upon them in a glorious manner, as a Teftimonyof the Divine Power and Prefence with them 5 v. 14. Ifye be reproachedfor the Name of Chrift, happy are ye ; for the Spirit of Glory and of God refieth uponyou; or, as it is in the heft Co- pies, for the Spirit of Glory and ofPower, even the Spirit of God refteth upon you 5 that is, the Glorious Power of the Divine Spirit is prefent with you, to comfort and bear up your Spirits under thefeSufferings. But then he cautions them, to take great care, that their Sufferings be for a good Caufe, and agood Confcience; v. 1 q. But let none of you Puffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as an Evil-doer, (that is, as an Offender in any kind againft Humane Laws, made to preferve the Peace and good Order of the World) or as a bufy body in other Mens matters 5 that is, as a pragmatical Perfon, that meddles out of his ownSphere, to the Difquiet and Difturbance of Humane Society : For to fuller upon any of thefe Accounts, would be matter of Shame and Trouble, but not of Joy and Comfort; but if they fuffer'd upon Account of the Profefiion of Chriffianity, this would be no Caufe of Shame and Reproach to them 5 but they ought rather to give God Thanks for calling them to fuller in fo good a Caufe, and upon fo glorious an Account, v. t 6. Yetif any Man fuller as a Chriftian (if that be his only Crime) let him not be afbamed, but let himglorifie God on this behalf ; for the time is come, that judgment mull begin at the Houle ofGod 5 that is, the wifeand juft Providence of
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