A Mystery which the Angels desired to look into. 1 PET. 1.11.12. THe end why the Eternal Father did send the Apostles and now sends his Ministers, is, as St. Paul sets it down, Ephes. 3.9. To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God. Ephes. 3.10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places (i to the Angels even of highest degree) might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God. But what was this manifold wisdom? When God had suffered Adam to fall, Gen. 3.24. that he might see his own pride and folly, Divine Justice drove him out of Paradise, and placed at the East end of the garden of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life; that so flesh nor blood neither might nor could enter. But Divine Wisdom hath found out a way whereby a re-entrance is made; And yet the Decree of God's justice stands unaltered, His wisdom, goodness, and mercy manifested, and miserably fallen men restored: Which when the Angels saw they sang for joy, saying, Luk. 2.24. Glory be to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men. The way and mystery was thus. That as in pleasing the flesh, the eyes, and the mind, Paradise was lost (for so it was) Eve seeing that the forbidden fruit was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, took and did eat, and gave Adam, and he did eat also. And so both they and their whole posterity, according to a Decree of Almighty God, were cast out of Paradise, left without God in a miserable world, subject to labour and sorrow till death seized on them; and then also were without hope of a resurrection or second life. But Divine Wisdom out of a bottomless Fountain of love, ordained that as in pleasing the flesh, the eye, and the mind, Paradise was lost, and consequently all misery, woe, and death itself purchased; So in displeasing these three, viz. the flesh, the eye, and the mind, and passing by those fiery Cherubims, suffering death for a good conscience, or at least resigning ourselves thereunto, Paradise with a second life might be regained. But this when frail man, because he was but flesh, Rom. 8.3. could not do; The Son of God was content to take our flesh upon him, and in this flesh make his own life exemplary for all men, showing them how they must follow him in way of regradation; that as they had lost Paradise by pleasing the flesh, the eyes, and the mind, by which death had passed upon all; So they should regain it by renouncing them, and following him in a voluntary abased humiliation, to the loss of all worldly things. Rev. 2.7. They that thus overcome, as he overcame, shall go in, and eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God, and live for ever, be with him, live and reign with him for ever and ever. This is that everlasting Gospel or glad tidings preached unto men. But because for this work the Son of God was to leave his Father's bosom, and the glory which he had with him in the highest heavens, and so descending upon the earth, must take man's frail nature upon him, and in that nature must be abased and abused, suffering hunger, cold, nakedness, enduring ignominy, shame, Heb. 2.5.10. reproach, and at last die the most cursed and painful death, even the death of the Cross; for this his great humiliation, he obtained of his Father, by way of reward, an extraordinary exaltation. It was decreed he should not only be received up into glory, Heb. 1.6. but in the highest heavens sit on the right hand of God Almighty, where all the Angels of God should worship him: And he should be Prince of this his Church, which he had purchased with his own blood, and should have all power put into his hands, both of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and should be judge of men and Angels. Yea moreover it was granted, that for his sake, and for his great humiliation, all his followers should have their sins forgiven them; but the spots and stains thereof must be washed away by the water of affliction. For there are four things considerable in sin, the act, the guilt, the stain, the scandal: The act is soon over, the guilt remains till removed by repentance, and then though in the Court of heaven atonement be made by Christ's blood, 2 Sam. 12. as in the case of David's murder and adultery; yet the stain and scandal continues, and according to the nature of the offence is washed away by the water of affliction through the Word (a figure of which was the Ark saving of eight persons in the old world by water; Ephes. 5.9. & 26. 1 Pet. 3.20, 21 and the like figure whereunto doth Baptism now save, observed by St. Peter to be both figures.) Now this is performed either by a mortified life, or the afflicting hand of God, or both: As appears by that example of David, also of Miriam her murmuring against Moses, and many that sinned in the wilderness. And therefore it is, saith St. Paul, that the Lord doth judge and chastise men, that they should not be condemned with the world. And that this should be the condition of God's children, Gen. 7. Exod. 3.2; Exod. 14 29. 1 Sam. 14. Dan. 3. joh 3.6. Matth. 14.24. was long ago plainly prefigured by Noah's Ark floating upon the roaring floods; by Moses burning bush, by the Israelites passing thorough the Red sea; by the taking of the Ark of God, by the uncircumcised Philistines, by the three Children walking up & down in the fiery furnace. Again, under the Gospel, by John baptising the people in Jordan; By St. Peter's ship tossed to and fro with a wind which was contrary; Rev. 12. Exod 2.3. and by the Dragon's persecuting the woman in the wilderness. It was so in the time of the Law. Moses no sooner born, but laid in the flags by the river side. Gen. 37.26. Isa 53.4. Exod. 13. Joseph sold into Egypt. David, a man of sorrows. The Children of Israel no sooner from under Pharaohs hard bondage, but they are in the wilderness where they must wander forty years. It were too long to run through all their miseries, besides their two captivities. Yet all this they hoped would end when Messiah came, than they expected Halcyon days. But it's no better yet, for since the days of John the Baptist, Matth. 11.12. the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and only the violent take it by force. His Disciples indeed thought that he would have restored the Kingdom to Israel, Act. 1.6. but he tells them they were deceived in looking for a kingdom here. They that would be his followers, Luk. 10 13. must carry a Cross upon their shoulders, and not a Crown upon their heads, unless of thorns. And when he sent out his twelve Apostles, Matth. 10.10. and that a large journey, to preach the Gospel over all the world; He doth not provide them with as much as necessaries, but plainly bids them, Luke 10.4. carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: Luk. 14.26. provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass. A hard Chapter! yet to teach it them the better, he would give them an example. Nay (with reverence be it spoken) he must do it. It behoved him, Hebr. 2. it behoved him to suffer, and so to enter into glory; And it behoveth us as much. 2 Tim. 2.12. He calleth us indeed to a kingdom, but it is upon condition of suffering. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. There is no promise otherwise. A thing so well known to the Primitive Christians, 1 Thes. 3.3. that St. Paul tells the Thessalonians, yea yourselves know we are appointed to suffer; God hath predestinated us thereunto. Rom 8.30. For whom be foreknew, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: he called to sufferings, 1 Pet. 2.21.3.9. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, Matth. 10.30. Mat. 16 24, 25 Luk. 29.23, 24. Luk. 14.16.27 joh. 12.15. that we should follow his steps. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, saith our Lord, shall find it. And therefore if any man will be my disciple, and come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. This is our Lord's doctrine left to his Church; and as St. Paul saith, his members must fill up that which is behind, Col. 1.24. Luk 12.4. of the afflictions of his flesh for his body's sake which is his Church: and those that so do are his friends. joh. 15.14. I say unto you my friends, fear not them which kill the body. And again, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends: such an one was Abraham, jam. 2.23. who in temptations and extremities trusted in God, which was counted or imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. Rom. 5.3. So are all those that follow Abraham's steps, friends of God, if ye do what Christ commands, leave this world with the pleasures thereof. If any desired to be helped to tranquillity, as Zebedees' Children did, Mar. 10.39. he tells them that they must drink of his Cup, that bitter Cup of his passion: Matth 26.39. and be baptised with his Baptism. Mar. 9.49. Every one must be salted with fire, which doubtless is all one with to be baptised with fire. Matth 3.11. And this may be the meaning of that place, 1 Cor. 3.15. He shall be saved; yet so as by fire: which by some is applied to Purgatory. But affliction is the true Purgatory. This is that Refiners fire, and fullers soap purifying the sons of Levi, Mal. 3.2, 3. which is so terrible, that at the first sight the Prophet asketh the question, Who can abide the day of his coming? or who shall stand when he appeareth? Who will follow him, and suffer the Cross, the loss of all to come to a kingdom? This is that spirit of judgement, and spirit of burning that washeth away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and purgeth away the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of her. This is that cleansing fan by which the floor shall be throughly purged. Isa 4.4 Matt ●. 12. Rev. 7 14. Therefore it is, that those that are arrayed in white robes are said to come out of great tribulation, washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Matt. 18 19 And whatsoever good thing is conducible or helpful to any, that they may the better follow Christ in this his humiliation, and thereby be regenerated, and made one with him and his Father, he promiseth to grant them, yea in this way, Matt 21.22. jam. 4 ●. Hab 2.4. and for this end only (not for men's lusts) but to sit them for heaven, ask what ye will, saith our Lord, and ye shall have it. In this condition or state of affliction, the Just lives by his faith, relying on God, and waiting the performance of his promise. As it is written, Isa. 28 16. he that believes makes not haste, goes not out of God's presence from this or that trouble; but with holy Job waits the Lords leisure, going from trouble to trouble, from faith to faith, from strength to strength, as Israel did, Psal. 84.7. from one station to another, through the wilderness to Canaan, a type of our journey through the desert of this world, Isa. 40.30. towards our heavenly Canaan. Though the youth faint, and are weary, and the young men utterly fail, yet they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint. For in this path doth God's power keep the Christian through faith (who in all extremities relies upon him) to that Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, 1 Pet. 1.5. which is the only thing he waiteth for. Isa. 43.2. In the interim though he pass through the waters God will be with him; and thorough the rivers, they shall not overflow him. When he walketh through the fire he shall not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon him. Isa. 54.17. No weapon that is form against him shall prosper; for strong is the Lord that keepeth him; Not the outward man from destruction, that's decreed, 2 Cor. 4.16. Zach. 2.8. and in due time must be destroyed; but the inward man, and welfare of it. He that toucheth that, toucheth the apple of God's eye. Obj. But what, may some say, needs all this? may we not live merrily, avoid trouble as much as we can, and yet go to heaven in the end? Aas. I answer. We read of some indeed that become old, and are mighty in power, Job 21. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their Bull genders, and Cow calveth: they send out their little ones like flocks, and their children dance, are brought up to Music, for they take the timbrel and the harp, and raj ye at the sound of the Organ; But they are wicked, ver. 7. and in a moment go down to hell. Gen. 49. ver. 13. O my soul, come not thou into their secrets, into their assemblies, mine honour, be not thou united. For these are men that have their portions in this life, Eccle. 3. whose bellies God fills with the hid treasures thereof. But it's better to go into the house of mourning, then into the house of feasting. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better; and merrier. Eccl. 3.4. And the wise man saith, there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh: but the laughing time comes last. So said Abraham to Dives, Luk 16.25. Remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. As both of them, so all of us have allotted from the hand of God's providence bad and good things, torments and comforts: Psal. 126.5, 6. they that sow in joy, shall reap in tears; and they that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him. Those that weep may be comforted, and those that are persecuted may leap for joy; for Christ hath pronounced them thrice blessed, Luk 6.24, 25. Luk. 6. whilst those that are full, and laugh, and of whom the world speaketh well, have as many woes. woe unto you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. woe unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger. woe unto you that laugh now: for ye shall mourn and weep. Luk. 6.24, 25. Hence it comes to pass, that the true Christian, whose eyes God hath opened to see these things, laugheth at calamities, and mocketh when fear cometh, Pro. 1.26. and desolation like a whirlwind. For he (namely, the inward man) is in that Dothan about which are horses of fire, 2 King 6.13.17, and chariots of fire compassing. Although there should be no meat in fields, flocks in folds, nor herds in stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, Hab 3.17, 18. saith Habbakkuk, I will joy in the God of my salvation. For the Lord God is my strength, he will make my feet like hind's feet, and I shall walk upon my high places. And such as suffer for righteousness are counted worthy of the kingdom, Rev. 3.4. which the Father hath prepared for those that love him. Therefore the Apostles rejoiced over the Thessalonians for their faith in persecutions, and tribulations that they endured, which is (saith he) a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, 2 Thes 1.5. that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom for which ye also suffer; seeing its a righteous thing to recompense tribulation on them that trouble us, and to them who are troubled rest with us. As for the Apostle himself, who knew the truth of these things, his whole study was the doctrine of the Cross; he desired to know nothing else but Jesus Christ, and him crucified: God forbidden, saith he, Gal. 6.14. that I should glory in any thing, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. And in this he glorieth, that he twice in one Chap. makes an apology, as fearing lest men should think him a fool for boasting so much: 2 Cor. 11.1.16. And then gins: I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 2 Cor. 12.8.9, 10.10 30. In Damascus, etc. In stripes above measure, in prisons frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one, thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I have been in the deep: in journeying often, in perils of waters, in peril of robbers, in perils by mine own Countrymen, and in perils by the heathen: in perils in the City, in the wilderness, in the sea, in perils amongst false brethren, in weariness, in painfulness, in hunger and thirst, in fasting oft, in cold and nakedness. And besides those things that are without, that which cometh on me daily, the care of all the Churches. And if I must needs glory, I will glory in the things which concern mine infirmities. For when I am weak, then am I strong; the more I endure, the more Christ inables me. And saith the Apostle in another place, by this we bear in our bodies the dying of our Lord Jesus, 2 Cor 4 11. that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal bodies. Thus the Lord tryeth the righteous, but the wicked, Psal. 11.5. Pro. 3.12. Eccl. 2.5. and him that loveth violence, his soul bateth. For whom he loveth, he chasteneth, even as a Father the son, in whom he delighteth. For gold is tried in the fire; and acceptable men in the furnace of Affliction. What man is so foolish as rather to desire gold mingled with dross, than to have it pass the fire? Thus God served Jerusalem, Zach. 13.9. He tells the people he will bring them through the fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. Then shall they call on his Name, and he will hear them: he will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God. Indich 8.22, 23, 24. jam. 2.23. Thus was our Father Abraham tried, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God: Thus Isaac, thus Jacob, thus Moses, and all who pleased God, by many tribulations became faithful. Wisd 3.5. That having a little been chastised, they might be greatly rewarded. Thus is made known unto us the mystery of Godliness, which the Apostle saith is great; 1 Tim 3 1. and without controversy it is the mystery which in other Ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed to God's holy Apostles and Prophets by his Spirit, that they might preach the unsearchable riches of Christ obtained by the Cross; of which the ancient Prophets enquired, and searched diligently; who prophesied of the grace that should come, searching what, and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, which testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow: which things the Angel's desire to look into. A figure of which were the two Cherubims with their wings lifted up, but their face looking one towards another, and toward the Mercy seat; which mystery being revealed to the holy Apostles by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and by them manifested unto the Angels, may minister some ground why the Angels admitted of adoration in the Old Testament, Numb. 22.31, 32. Jos. 5.14. and refused it in the New. Rev. 19.10. and 22.10. Thus doth it manifestly appear, that there is no other way to be saved but by the Cross of Christ, to conform ourselves to his sufferings, to follow him in his abased humiliation; that so we may be like him in his exaltation. For as he was, so are we in this present evil world. 1 joh 4.7. This he hath taught us both by his doctrine and life. And surely had there been any other way, he would have showed it us. And let us consider though the forbidden fruit might be real to Adam, yet unto us as it hath an influence, upon these three, viz. the flesh, the eyes, the mind, it is a figure answering thereunto. St. James esteems the wisdom & strength laid out upon these, to be earthly, sensual, devilish. Of the same speaks St. John, 1 joh 2.15, 16 saying, Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, Gal 1.4. and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And our Lord died to deliver us from this present evil world: from which S. James saith, jam. ●. 27. he that is religious keeps himself unspotted. Every offence that in this world is committed, is either for a beastly pleasure, a trifling commodity, or for some vain estimation with man. And as in a glass face answers face, so do these three kinds of transgressions to those three qualities of the forbidden fruit: Gen. 3. And therefore it is that the Christian in Baptism promises to renounce these three, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to follow our Lord under the Cross; the performance of which through Christ is that which saveth, called by the Apostle not the washing away the silth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience. And this is that spiritual and fiery Baptism of Christ, namely, a Baptism into his death; unto which whosoever subscribes, stands engaged to a crucifixion, and daily death for a good conscience; 1 Cor. 15. and is in jeopardy to die every hour. As it is written, if the dead rise not, why are we baptised for the dead? and why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest, saith the Apostle, by our rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus I die daily: therefore it is that the Lord Christ to the baptised is a Captain, a Leader; and every such that hath resigned up himself to be his Soldier, and to follow the Lamb wherever he goeth, this his skilful Captain will lead through crooked paths, and bring fear and dread upon him, Ecclu 4.11 18. and torment him by discipline; but after will comfort him, and show him secrets. Therefore saith the Apostle, After ye have suffered a while, 1 Pet. 5 10. he shall establish, strengthen, settle you. This is the Lords way to save the sons of men. And as Eiihu said, these things God worketh thrice, yea often with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. job 23. That man whom God intends to dignify, he visits every morning, and tries him every moment, job 7. Hebr. 12. and chastiseth him for his profit, that so he may be made partaker of God's holiness; indeed be regenerated, made one with the Father, and the Son, as our Lord said, Verily, ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the Tribes of Israel. Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inberit everlasting life. This in our Lord's opinion is the very means of man's regeneration, namely, Isa 51.2, 3. Ps 1 44. job 34.7. Isa. 50.6. a patiented following him through all afflictions, to be as a lamb dumb before the shearers; to lay the body as the ground, and as the street to them that pass over; patiently bearing reproaches, and drinking down scorning like water; to give the back to the smiters, the face to the spitters, and the checks to them that pluck off the hair. But this doctrine to flesh and blood seems strange, that the Scripture saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 1 Cor. 1 23. To the Jews it is a stumbling block, to the Greeks foolishness: Hab. 2.10. and 5.9. but to the Christian believer it is the power of God to salvation. For by means of the Cross, the Christian is made like his Master, fitted for heaven, and perfected as he was perfected; Hab 1. ●0 59 and he that endureth most for him in this life, that comes nearest to him in suilerings, shall come nearest to him in glory in the next. Therefore let us not think afflictions (when God sendeth them) so strange a thing, Job 7.17, 11. but rather with holy Job in secret (admiring that God should take such care for to make us partakers of his holiness) say, Heb. 12.10. Lord what is man that thou shouldst dignify him? that thou shouldst set thy heart upon him? that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment? But Lord, what may be thought of those men that take up the sword against the Cress? Those that have caused so great effusion of Christian blood for liberty, jesuites and heady Sectaries. yea liberty to the flesh, which must be crucified, that so they mayserve God as themselves please; and that without any trouble in this world. How are these ignorant, and also Enemies of the Cross of Christ? The holy Apostle wept to think that there should be any such among Christians; Phil. 3.19. telling the Philippians that such made their belly their God, their glory their shame, earthly minded men, their end was destruction. Alas, alas! what shall become of those among Christians, that for this end, because they may not have liberty, speak evil of Dignities, and despise Dominions, following the footsteps of Cain, Corab, Dathan, and Abiram, and will not be warned by their judgements? Which examples as standing Pillars of Salt remain to all generations. Woe is them, woe is them, for them in especial, saith St. Judas, is reserved blackness, and darkness for ever. Judas 8.13. Did the blessed Trinity in their wisdom find out this only means for the restauration of lost mankind? Did the holy Apostles rejoice in it? the Angels admire it? the universal Church embrace it? and do we fight to make it void? The very thoughts thereof cause my knees to tremble, my lips to quiver, and rottenness to enter into my bones. For God with vengeance will come with thousands of his Saints, as Enoch prophesied, to execute judgement on all belly gods that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These, jude 19 saith that Apostle, are those that separate themselves, sensual, Ier 7.29. not having the Spirit. O Lord what have we done? that thou shouldst suffer us to stray, and in knowing times to be so strangely deluded. By what degrees of sins have we ascended to such unmatchable wickedness. O! the Christian Religion how it is disgraced! Cut off thy hair, jer. 7.29. O Christian, and cast it from thee, and take up a lamentation in all thy public places, and say: O Lord, if it be possible open our eyes, Deu●. 19.18. Act 1.23. and remove this bitter Gall, forgive this great iniquity. When Israel had sinned in making the golden Calf, thou show'dst mercy upon thousands. To Manasses which caused Jerusalem to swim with innocent blood, and had no works of righteousness. Exod. 23. 2 King 11.16. Thou declaredst thy great mercy in pardoning him. Thou restoredst Israel from captivity, which had lived like beasts. 2 Esds 8.29, 30 The Thief upon the Cross had nothing but sins to present thee with, yet thou pardonest him, for thou art a God of mercy, art called merciful, jer. 3.12. Exod. 34. and delightest in mercy, and hast treasures of goodness laid up for them that have none for themselves. O Lord hear, and consider. Look not upon the sins of thy people, but look on thy Sanctuary and worship which lieth waste. Defer not to help for thy Names sake, for thy honour sake. In pity for thy Christ's sake look upon our miseries, for there is no healing nor help left, and we grow worse and worse. Our sins increasing are grown up unto the heavens. We have committed this great evil, and that Jesuitically by blood; we think to build our nests on high above the stars, Hab. 2.9. that so in this world we may escape the Cross of our Lord, and be free from the power of evil. But, O Lord, in so doing we have refused our own health, the waters of Shiloh, Isa. 56. and put from ourselves that holy Cup of Salvation, of which our Lord himself drank, and himself with his own blood tempered and seasoned for such as will be his Disciples. O Lord in judgement remember mercy, jer. 6.16. and bring us once again to that ancient old good way, that walking therein we may find rest to our souls. Amen. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. Psal. 25.14. And if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. Joh. 7.17. THat you might the better think of that which you and I lately spoke of touching the sufferings of Christians, Postscript. I have committed the same to writing; and have here according to my promise sent it you. Think upon it, for it's no vain thing, Deut. 32.47. but it's that whereby our lives shall be prolonged in the Land beyond Jordan, whitherunto we are going. The necessity of the serious thinking on this doctrine appears, in that our Lord took such pains with his disciples to inculcate, radicate, and settle it in their hearts. For having spoke of their sufferings, Luk. 21. Settle it in your hearts, saith he, ver. 12, 13, 14. In another place, saith he, Let these say sink down into your hearts. Luk. 10. And again, These things have I spoken unto you that you should not be offended; and that when the time cometh, you may remember I told you of them: Joh. 15.20. Joh. 16.14. By all which and many other places, this appeareth a matter of great concernment, and of some difficulty to be believed. And of this doctrine, or this report, Isa, 53. we with the Prophet may well say, Lord who hath believed? unto such is the power of God manifested, and they shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. And without doubt the highest favour that the Almighty bestowed upon the sons of men, is ability to suffer for his Name. It is that great feast, Luk. 14. to which all are invited. The riches that accompany it exceed all the treasures of Nations; and the people that endure are such as God esteemeth the world not worthy of. And therefore the holiest of men, even the Apostles, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer. I have now done. The Lord settle these say in our hearts, and grant us to be those spiritual worshippers, Joh. 4.23, 24 not to worship the Father with bodily sacrifice, but in spirit and truth: instead of Burnt-offerings, to offer up our bodies and souls a living sacrifice, and so to account of ourselves but as sheep appointed to the slaughter; and to prepare for bonds and afflictions, which, Act. 20.23 as the holy Ghost witnesseth, abide us in every place: for that through much tribulation and violence, the kingdom of heaven must be entered. Act. 14.22. And that as the grace of flowers fade, so may our carnality and worldly pomp, glory and honour decay, decrease; jam. 1 11. Phillip 3.3, 8. yea that we may attain to the high price set before us, let's account those things dung; and that we may so do, let us watch, Luk. 16. fast, pray, give alms, as good Soldiers endure all hardness, that so being faithful in small things, we may be trusted with great. Which is the earnest prayer of your faithful Friend. Imprimatur Joh. Downame. FINIS.