286 Summe. An Expofition upon Chap.8. heavenly, fuch asChritt himrelfe now enjoyeth. This then is the argument:A- bide the Crois patiently, for if ye fuffer with him, ye (hall be alto glorified with hint; the which the Apoftle doth now ftrengthenby areafon taken from corn - parifon of things unequall; to wit, afRi- &ion and glory : as thus. .The glory which is to follow your aflii &ions is far greater, and better, and more Tatting then be your af$i &ions; and therefore fuffer them with a patient and confiant minde, tinder the hope of that glory, which is fo unvaluable and incompa- rable. Tim. Shen, us now briefly and plainly, what is the from of this verte? S r L. It is in effeit thus much, how- foeverafiitions be grievous, and fuch as fuffer them, feem for the time mifera- ble; yet let them hold it out quietly; for in the end their glory (hall farre exceed their mifery and trouble, how great fo ever it be. T r M. Let us come to expoundthe words, and tell us what is here meant by account? S t L. It lignifies more then barely to reckon or efteem, even to determine a matter uponoreafons debated on both fides, and well confidered, as Rom.3.28. Alto Rom. 6.11. the word is fo ufed. T i m. What may we learn from hence? Sit. Fir(t, that the Apoftle judged the do&rine which he taught in this verfe, to be molt certain and true with- out exceptions. Secondly, it admonifh- eth all Miniflers, that when they be re- folved of a Doétrine that is true, they ought confidently to fpeak it without wavering: fir(( weigh and ponder, and then pronounce with freedome of ,fpeech. TIM, What is meant here by afflillions of this prefent time? S r L. Such tribulations and croffes as Chriilians do bear during the time of this life, whiles they are militant and fighting with fin. T t M. What inflruilion arifith from hence? S e L. This : that Christians ought Interpre- tation. Doïlrin. 3 Da£ar. long ; for they cannot continue longe r then the fpace of this prefint life, and the dayes of our life are but few, and our time but fhort, even as a fpan long, or as a watch in the night. Now all fhort things though they be great, yet are more tolerable, becaufe they are (bort. Ti m. What ale is thereto be made of this infiroollion? - S r L. It Both not only encourage Christians which do continue in affli- &ions, but it doth reprove fuch as faint before the end of this life : thefe perfons to avoid a momentany and light croft!, do lofe an immortall weight of glory. Tim . What is fignified by this, that he faith [They are not worthy ?7 Si L. That is to fay, they are not e- qual,or of fo much moment and weight, as to be compared with heavenly glory: it is afpeech borrowed from things put into the ballance to be weighed therein; amongu which,thofe which be heavieft, draw to their fade the ballance with their weight. So then the meaning is, that affti &ions and glory being put to- gether,as it were in a ballance, afi &ions would be found to be too light, and to come far fhort in worth and price, unto that glory which is to come. Ta M. In what things are of iiEiions roe - equall to glory? Sit. In two things, both in quan- tity, and quality : Firft, they be une- quall in quality, becaufe affli &ions are but bitter troubles here onearth, before the world: but our glory is a heavenly bleffed eftate before God. Secondly,af- fli &ions be (harp evils which we feel with grief: but the glory not only fwal- lowes up the evil' and the grief; but filleth us with all good things moft per - felily. They be alto unequall in quan- tity, both for number, for meafure,and for continuance ; for our affli &ions are few, but the joyes of heaven are innu- merable, more then the oars in the hea- ven. Alloafi &ions are but light, brat there isa weight of glory which is un- meafurable. Laflly, affiiltions are but (hart and momentary, but the glory is willingly to bear affli &ions,becaufe how eternal' even for ever and ever, and to (harp foever they be, yet they cannot be lait fo long as God doth Tait. TIM. Q11atih,
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