VerCe 35,36,37. the Eriffletothe Romaiìs. 321 They are haie with- out any re- 6fiance. S t L. By a text out of the Pfalm 44. verf. 22. For thy fake are we killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the fl-ughter. [All the day] may lignifie all times of this life ; or without intermif- fion : or all the time of the world. T t M. What things do ye note front this teftimony of the Pfalme ?z S I L. First, that Chriflians are fub- jea even to death and (laughter, as well as other calamities. Secondly, that in this refpe& we are likeunto sheep (not which are fed for wool or flore) but fuch as are appointed for the kitchin. Thirdly, they are put in minde to be meek and patient in suffering of death, even as fleepare under the Butchers hand. Fourthly, that death doth con- tinually hang over their heads, even all the day long, either for that they are ready every day to die if need require, -r becaufe their continual dangers, are fo many deaths as it were. Laitly, that the cause of the death "of Gods Martyrs, is not any crime of their own, but their sincere faith and profelion of Christ, [For thy fake] as Mat. I o. For my names fake, and Mat. 5. T I M. But what is the comfort of the faithfull againff all thefe .terrible things? S t L. Even this: that in all thefe things they are more them conquerors. The meaning hereof is that true belee- vers in their miferies they do not only not faint and are overcome, but them- felves get a glorious viaory over their crofies and perfecutions, both by their patient wearying land vanquishing the perfecutors, and themfelves brought to heaven. T I M. But how may this be, that the flain and conquered fhould yet be Conque- rors ? S I L. Indeed it is a paradox, and flrange to carnal reafon ; yet it is mof true in this fpiritual warfare, howfo- ever it be otherwife in this bodily warfare. For the Saints when they ftif- fer and are killed,they are not only pa- tient, but rejoyce and glory, which is the part ofvi&ors, Rom. q. 3. Second- ly, becaufe by their conflancy they do even daunt the minds of their perfects- tors, who rather feem to be overcome, then the Martyrs which fitffer.Example hereofin the Pharifees, Ai t. 4. and in fulian the Apoflata,who le cruelty was conquered by the patience of the Mar- tyrs. Lallly, of some of the Roman perfecu to rs,in the tenfirft perfecutions, whofe barbarous favageneffe was even tired with the fledfafineffe of the Saints in fuffering.Thirdly,the Devils praaife is by crosses to wreft from Gods chil- dren their confidence in Gods love, which is rather increafed by this means,, Rom. 5.5, 6. T I M. But whence have they flrength to be fo fled/VI to hold out, and io cm- quer? S I L. Not from thenifelyt s who are lò. farre unequal for fo great a bat- jail, but from the help and aid of God, confirming and eftablifhing them. The caufe that moveth God to afford this lirength is his great love which he bears them in Chrift, [Through him that bath loved us.] T What it our le(fon from hence ? S I L.That the viaory which belee- vers do get over all their troubles, de- pends not upon their own tower or merits at all, but meerly, folely, and wholly, in the love that God bears them in Christ. See I Cor.15.57 TeM.Wkatsifeof this? S I L. It warns the Saints in their greateif patience and conflancy, to be humbled, feeing they have nothing but what they receive from Gods love. Se- condly, it muff flirre them up to great thankfulneffe to God, fo gracioufly and mightily confirming them. Third - Iy,it admonifheth weak Chriflians in the time of any calamity to file to the throne ofgrace for fuccour, ditirufling themfelves asJehofaphat did. Laflly, it teacheth,that the faithful can never fall from Gods love. Of this before, 2 Dia- logue,on verf 2.Chap.5. DIA-
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=