the World was not worthy of, &c. This we might further confider in the example of Paul, Job, Jofeph, David, Jeremiah, and the like, whofe lives are a plentiful ftore-houfe to teftifie this truth, that the people of God many times endure terrible afflictions, and divers and fandry Tryals. And this have we had experience of in this Land, as in the days of Queen Mary, when the Sun did parch, and that the fire of Perfecution was great, to the wafting of the Bodies of many learned Divines, and dear Children of God; fo that if we hope to live with Chrift in the Church Triumphant, we must first die with him here in the Church Militant: For none fhall reign with Chrift there, that have not suffer'd with him in this World; nor none fhall have their Tears wiped from them in the Kingdom of Heaven, that have not firft fhed them on the Earth, Thus having feen the Doctrine, that is the ftate and condition of God's Church here upon Earth to undergo fcmetimes many and grievous Afflic tions; now let us fee the Reasons, that fo the Doctrine may leave the greater Impreffion in every one of our minds and aff &tions.

In regard of God's Enemies themselves,which know not the Father, nor his Son Chrift Jefus, they have nothing to ftop their cruel Rage and Devilih Malice, as our Saviour witneffeth when he faith, They fhall Excommunicate you: yea,the time fhall come, that whofoever killeth you, will think that he doth God fervice; and these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor yet me. So that it is no marvel though

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the enemies of God's Church ftrive against the faithful Servants of God, being firred up thereunto by the inftigation of Satan, feeing that they know not God nor Jefus Chrift, but have their eyes blinded by Satan, the Prince of the World, and the pleasures of this life.

The Lord fuffereth his children many times to undergo fome harp and bitter Tryals of Affli ation,and to fuffer even the fcorching heat of Per fecution, to make known the Patience, Virtues and Graces of his Children; as St, Paul faith; it is neceffary that Affliction fhould come, that the Elect may be manifejt who they be. As it is im poffible to know the valour of a Soldier, if he lies always in the Garrison and never comes into the Field; fo it is impoffible to know the Pati ence, Obedience and Love of God's children till Trial comes. And therefore, God would have Abraham tempted, to make his Faith knowr So Fobs Patience, Davids Piety, and Pauls Cou rage, &c. The Earth which is not tilled and plowed yields nothing but Briars and Thorns; and Vines wax wild if they be not prun'd and cut. Even fo the unruly affections of our heart, as fo many poison weeds, would quickly over-rum the whole Man, if the Lord, by fan&tified afflicti ons fhould not manure us. It is good therefor (faith Jeremy) Lam. 3. 27. for a man to bear th yoke in his youth, and in another place, the fam Prophet faith, Moab bath kept his fcent, because he was not poured from veel to veel, but hair been at refl ever fince his youth. Jer. 48. 11.There are divers other Reafons why the Lord doth thus exercif

exercise his dear children in this Life with many croffes and afflictions, to humble them from fins paft, and to prevent it, for the time to come: Becaufe when we perceive that the only weapon whereby Satan woundeth our Souls, is fin, it hould make us repent of fins that are paft, and be weary of Sins for the time to come; and alfo humble the pride of our hearts; for knowledge puffeth up, and in whatfoever we excel our Brethren, naturally we wax proud of the fame. Now when the Lord Almighty by the fe Affli&tions, like a skilful Physician, lets out the fuperfluous humour of pride and vain-glory, then we fhall perceive what we are by Na

ture.

Use 1. Well, Let us then make fome use of this Doctrine. We have had a long Morning, and yet we are all in peace and reft, but it will not always be Morning, the Sun will arife, and it will be Noon-day; the Lord will have a time of Tryal. It is the Lords ufual dealing after a long time of place, to bring fome Tryals, that the Ele& and true Chriftians may be truly dif cerned. The Lord cannot endure that his facred and glorious Gofpel fhould be contemned and defpifed, as it is at this day amongst us. O then feeing we must look for a Tryal, let us prepare and furnifh ourselves with all needful Virtues, with Patience, Courage, and Zeal, &c. Alas, we think any thing will ferve our turn now; and that to be a Chriftian is a small matter, but if in the time of Tryal we shrink, or yield unto the Enemy, then we fhall fhew our hypocrifie

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hypocrify and cowardice. O then let us be good Souldiers; now in the time of Peace, and provide and sharpen our weapons against the time of War. Let us reckon what it would coft us to be the theep of Chrift, loss of Lands, Livings, Liberty, Country, yea, Life it fef; yet to refolve by the help of God, never to be afha med of rhe Gofpel of Jefus Chrift; let Perfecu tion come never fo fierce or hot upon us.

Ufe 2. Secondly, We learn hereby not to promife our felves worldly peace and profperity, while we continue here. For this Life is the time of a Christian mans warfare; neither muft we look to find Heaven upon Earth; for if we will be Chrifts Difciples, we must take up his Cross and follow him; we mult not dream of a Vicory before we fight. For it is the lot of the Godly to fuffer Perfecution. Yet this may be the com. folrt and ftay of a Chriftian in the midst of them ala,that the Lord will fo order the in as that they fhall work for the beft to them that love God, and never depart from him, fo that we shall be fure to gain more in the Spirit than we can lose in the Flesh.

Ufe 3. Thirdly, feeing it is the will of God, that his own true Church and faithful Children thall be tryed, and undergo the heat of Perfe cution, let us hence learn to be wife aud circumfpe&t, and neither think that we are out of God's favour if we be tryed, or think the worfe of the Gofpel of Chrif, becaufe the Crofs and Tryal goes with it. We ate ready to think that the Lord loves us not ; or that the Gospel, we pro

fels

fefs, is not good or Orthodox, becaufe we fee it is fcandalized by them at Rome. Well, it is that which God will have, it was the condition. of our Saviour Chrift before us; and unless we look the Servant fhall be greater than his Mafter, it must be our lot.

Secondly, We learn from hence, that tho' it may be fomerimes Noon day with the Church of God, hot and bloody perfecutions, yet Chrift hath ever a fhelter, fhade and comfort for his chofen p.ople; he is ever prefent with his Church and people in the hottest time of perfecution and afflictions, to comfort, refresh and deliver them. This the Lord expreffeth: Ifa. 54 8. For a little time have I forfaken thee,but with great com paffion will I gather thee; for a moment in mine anger, I hid my face from thee, for a little feafon but with everlasting mercy have I had compaffion on thee. This the Prophet David makes manifeft, that notwithstanding the rage or malice of Gods Enemies, Pfalm. 2. 4 He that dwelleth in Heaven Shall laugh them to fcorn, the Lord shall have them in derifion. This comfort is excellently fet forth by the Proohet, Ifa. 42. 2. But now thus faith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Ifrael, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee: I have called thee by thy Name,thou art mine: When theu passeth through the waters, I will be with thee,and through the Rivers,they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkeft through the fire,thou shalt not he burnt,neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God. What mifchief had Herod invented against the Meffiah,

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Mat.