284 An Expofition upon Hitherto hath continued the firfi part of the chapter, wherein bleffed Paul hath minfired comfort to the faithful!, %a- gainli the remainder of their finfull cor- ruption, and earnefily exhorted them to the diligent mortification of all their finful lulls and corruptions, not to bear with thefé, though they fear no con - demnation forthem. Now the Apofile ufeth a tranfitidn, patting forwards to that part of the chapter which flrength- neth the Saints againfi the bitterness of the Choii, and exhorteth them to be confiant in the bearing of it, without fainting or being weary in their minds. TIM. How do tbefe rvordr depend upon the matter contained ba the verfe going be- fore? S i L, He had Paid a little before,that the ions of God are lure for ever to live in heavenly glory : now he proveth it by a frefh and new reafon, taken from the ufe ofaffliaiions, that the beleeving Romans, and other the ions of God (hall be inheritors, becaufe they have taken up their Crofs. This reafon may be framed two wayes, and both very good. Eirft, by inferring the confe- quence or that which comes after, by an antecedent, which neceffarily goeth be- fore, as thus : They which (hall be glo- rified in heaven, mutt fuffer affil &ions here for Chrifii But'ye Romans which are the tons ofGod,do fuffer affli &ions for Chrill ; ye are therefore lure to be glorified with him. The firength of this reafon dependeth upon the authority of the Word of God affirming, that fuch as die with Chriti, (hall reign with him, and that fisch as fuffer with him, fhall be glorified with him, 2 Tim. 2.12. Which is the felfe fame thing, which is here faidin our Text,if with(that lear- ned man) Peter Martyr, weread (as we may) for thefe words [if fo be,] feeiug that, or becaufe. The fècond way how this reafon may be framed, is by a rea- soning from the lets unto the greater, after this fafhion. If ye be partakers withChrift in his Crofs and in his fuf- ferings, ye (hall much more be parta- kers with him in his kingdom& glory. .1 husCbry foio n gathereth the argument. Chap.8. T i M. Tell ut now the femme of thi, fntence? S i L. It is thus much : that fo ma-. ny as are vouchfafed this mercy, vali- antly to endure tribulation for the Go- spel, thereby they may be well affured, that they (hall inherit eternall glory 5 God means to Crown all such as take up the Crofs. TIM. What inffrutTiiont are we to learn from hence? S I L. Two: Firfi,itdoth admonish us what the condition and Elate of the children ofGod in this lite is, namely this, that that way which Chrill palled trom this life into his glory,by the fame way mull they pats this life unto glory, even by tribulations and aflietions; whereof there is very plentifull proofe in many places ofthe frripture, as Mat. 1 0,37. Luke 14.26. A &s 14.22. 2 Tim. 3,12.Heb.12.5,6. The caufès why Gods will is to have it fo, are fundry and ma-'The ends ny, but there are the chief. Firft, for the and ufcep tryal of their faith in God, and alto of ah° their love towards God, 1 Pet. I. 7. Roma, James 1.3. Secondly, for exercife and 3' 4. encreafe of their experience, patience, hope, &c. Rom.5.3',4, Thirdly, for the mortification and beating downe of their rebellious flubborn nature, which had need to be fuppreffed and tamed by the means of afthaions. Fourthly, for the weaning and pulling their hearts from the immoderate loving of earthly ehings.Fiftly,to humble their hearts be- fore God, and to flit them up unto a more fervent prayer, Job 33. 16,17,18. Sixtly, that God may have a better oc- cation to nianifefi his great power and goodness in flrengthning their infirmi- ties, 2 Cor.12.9. and in delivering them out of all their troubles.Lslily,the more certainly to confirme their minder in a perfwafion of having eternall life by likenefs and conformity unto Chriftin his fufferings, Rom.S.s9, T i M. What atfe and profit are we to make now unto our felve', touching the flare of Gods children? S i L, Firff, it controuleth and con - vlfteth them of error, that think and teach that the children cif God may fall from
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