divided and broke to pieces When Paul understood that there was a conspiracy to kill him he gave notice thereof to the Captain who conveyed him away from them Acts 23. 3 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 c. Paul pleaded in his defence before Felix and after appealed to Coesar Acts 24. 10 11 c. ch 25. 8 9. ch 26. 1 2 3 c. Paul perswaded those in the ship to eat meat when they were in danger he said This is for your health c. Acts 27. 33 34 35. I beseech you c. that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from them who do not believe in Judea Rom. 15. 30 31. Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil c. of whom be thou ware also for he hath greatly withstood our words 2 Tim. 4. 14 15. Some of whom the world was not worthy wandred in deserts c. in dens and caves of the earth Heb. 11. 38. 5. To look to the cause of our Sufferings that it â—e for well-doing for Christ and a good Conscience and not as busie Bodies in things unnecessary THey also who render me evil for good are mine adversaries because I follow the thing which is good Psal 38. 20. Psal 35. 20. Psal 209. 4 5. Do not ye serve my gods nor worship the golden image c. but if ye worship not ye shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace Dan. 3. 14 15 18. Daniel cast into the lions den for praying to God contrary to the Kings decrees Dan. 6. 7 8 9 10 c. Therefore the prudent shall keep silent in that time for it is an evil time Amos. 5. 13. Psal 39. 1. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you c. falsly for my sake c. for righteousness sake Matth. 5. 10 11. When they charged the Apostles not to preach in Christs name they said Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Acts 4. 17 18 19 20. The high Priest asked them saying Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name c. Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said We ought to obey God rather than men Acts 5. 27 28 29. But in all things approving our selves c. as deceivers and yet true 2 Cor. 6. 4 8. If I do preach Circumcision Why do I yet suffer persecution then is the offence of the cross ceased Gal. 5. 11. ch 6. 12. Having your conversation honest c. that whereas they speak against you as evil doers c. It is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men c. this is thank worthy if a man for conscience towards God endure grief suffering wrongfully 1 Pet. 2. 12 15 19. If ye suffer for righteousness sake happy are ye be not afraid c. It is better if the will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing 1 Pet. 3. 13 14 17. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye c. but let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evil-doer or as a busie-body in other mens matters yet if any suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed 1 Pet. 4 14 15 16. Amos 5. 13. Thirdly The Duties of others and how they ought to behave themselves towards such who are Afflicted and Persecuted To Sympathize with them Visit Help Comfort and Pray for them take heed they add not to their Trouble THE heart knoweth its one bitterness and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy Prov 14. 10. When Abram heard that his brother Lot was taken captive he armed or led forth his trained or instructed servants c. and pursued those who took Lot and he smote them c. and he brougth back all the goods and also brought again his brother Lot and his goods and the women also Gen. 14. 12 13 14 15 16. When David fled from Saul into a wood Jonathan went to him and strengthened c. 1 Sam. 23. 15 16 17. When Nehemiah had heard that the Jews were in great affliction and reproach though he were then a servant to the king he sat down and wept and mourned certain days and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven c. Nehem. 1. 2 3 4 5 c. Thou shalt not vex a stranger c. Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child Exod. 22. 21 22. When Jobs three friends heard of the evil which was come upon him they came every one from his own place c. for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him c. They wept Job 2. 11 12 13. Thou hast strengthned the weak hands thy words have upholden him who was falling and thou hast strengthned the feeble knees But c. Job 4. 3 4. To him who is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend Job 6. 14. Job said to his friends ye are forgers of lyes ye are all Physicians of no value O that you would altogether hold your peace c. Will you speak wickedly for â—od c. Job 13. 4 5 7. Job answered and said I have heard many such things miserable comforters are ye all or troublesome comforters are ye all shall vain words have an end c. I also could speak as ye do if your souls were in my souls stead I could heap up words against you and shake mine head at you but I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief Job 16. 1 2 3 4 5. How long will ye vex my soul c. these ten times have ye reproached me you are c. He hath put my brethren far from me and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me my kinsfolk have failed and my familiar friends have forgotton me they who dwell in my house and my maldens count me for a stranger I am an alien in their sight c. have pity upon me my friends for the hand of God hath touched me Job 19. 2 13 14 15 16 19 21. Psal 69. 8 20. Because he hath loosed my cord and afflicted me they have also let loose the bridle before me c. Did not I weep for him who is in trouble was not my soul grieved for the poor Job 30. 11. 25. Blessed is he who considereth the poor or sick c. the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed c. Psal 41. 1 2 3. God is said to be afflicted in the afflictions of his people Isa 63. 9. Wo to them who are at ease in Zion c. Ye that put far away the evil day c. that lie upon beds of ivory c. but they are not grieved for
thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world c. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they received them c. While I was with them in the world I kept them c. I have given them thy word c. I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it John 17. 6 8 12 14 26. ch 1. 18. To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth Every one who is of the truth heareth my voice John 18. 37. God who c. spake in times past to the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoke unto us by his Son c. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard c. Heb. 1. 1 2. ch 2. 1. Wherefore c. consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Jesus Christ who was faithful to him who appointed him as also Moâ—es was faithful in all his house c. Christ as a Son in his own house whose house are we c. Wherefore c. to day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 3. 1 2 3 5 6 7 8. Our Lord Jesus Christ that great Shepherd of the sheep Heb. 13. 20. Ye were as sheep going astray but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls 1 Pet. 2. 25. XI He is our ALL in all things our Compleatness and Perfection I Will make him First-born c. My covenant shall stand fast with him Psal 89. 27 28. Let him take hold of my strength he may make peace with me he shall make peace c. Isa 27. 5. By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit Zech. 9. 11. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased c. Matth. 17. 5. Of his fulness have all we received grace for grace c. John 1. 16. I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture John 10. 9. I am the way the truth and the life John 14. 6. As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the vine no more can ye except ye abide in me I am the Vine ye are the branches he who abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me or severed from me ye can do nothing John 15. 4. 5. It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace in the world ye shall have tribulation John 16. 7 33. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one John 17. 23. Jesus Christ c. He is that Stone which the builders counted foâ—â—nothing is made the Head of the corner Acts 4. 10 12. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ c. All things are yours whether Paul or Apollos c. all are yours and ye are Christ's 1 Cor. 3. 11 21 22 23. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 56 57. All the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen to the glory of God 2 Cor. 1. 20. He became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2. 20. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ c. There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus and if Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise Cal. 3. 14 28 29. Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places or things in Jesus Christ c. Chosen us in him c. predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ c. he hath made us accepted in the beloved c. that he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him c. who filleth all in all Ephes 1. 3 4 5 6 10 23. Hath quickned us together with Christ c. and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God c. Ephes 2. 5 6 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22. That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promises in Christ c. The unsearchable riches of Christ Ephes 3. 6 8. Grow up into him in all things who is the head Christ from whom the whole body is fitly joyned together Ephes 4. 15 16. We are the circumcision c. who rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell c. Christ in or among you the hope of glory whom we preach warning every man c. That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 19 27 28. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and ye are compleat in him who is the head c. Not holding the head from which all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment administred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 9 10 19. Your life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life c. Put on the new man c. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew c. But Christ is all in all c. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus c. Col. 3. 3 4 10 11 17. 1 Cor. 1. 30. ch 2. 2. Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. In that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them who are tempted Heb. 2. 18. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them who are sanctified c. Heb. 10. 14. Ye are built up c. To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 13. 15. The God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 5. 10. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white raiment that thou
with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen saying Blessed be the King who cometh in the name of the Lord c. Jesus said c. If these should hold their peace the stones c. would cry out c. Luke 19. 37 38 40. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple c. did eat their meat with gladness and with singleness of heart praising God Acts 2. 46 47. Luke 24. 52 53. When the lame man was healed he stood up and entred with them into the temple walking and leaping and praising God Acts 3. 8 9. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Acts 4. 20. He took bread and gave thanks in presence of them all Acts 27. 35. Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day Acts 26. 22. Paul and Silas being in Prison sang Praises to God that the Prisoners heard Acts 16. 24 25. Who shall deliver I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7. 24 25. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out For who hath known the mind of the Lord or who hath been his counsellor or who hath first given unto him c. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Rom 11. 33 34 35 36. He who eateth eateth unto the Lord for he giveth God thanks Rom. 14. 6. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen Rom. 16. 27. I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you c. 1 Cor. 1. 4 5. I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with understanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. The sting of death is sin c. But thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 15. 56 57. Blessed be God c. who comforteth us in all our tribulations that we may be able to c. You also helping together by prayer for us that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf 2 Cor. 1. 3 4 11. Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the the savour of his knowledge by us in every place 2 Cor. 2. 14. We having the same spirit of faith c. and therefore speak c. All things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound unto the glory of God 2 Cor. 4. 13 15. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness which causeth through us thanksgiving unto God for the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God whilst by the experiment of this ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ c. 2 Cor. 9. 11 12 13. God and our Father to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen c. They glorified Gal. 1. 4 5 24. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings c. that we should be to the praise of his glory c. I also c. cease not to give thanks for you c. Ephes 1. 3 12 14 15. Unto him who is able to do exceedingly c. unto him be glory in the Church by Jesus Christ Ephes 3. 20 21. Speaking to your selves in Psalms c. giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes 5. 19 20. Colos 3. 16. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you Philip. 1. 3. 1 Thes 1. 2. 2 Tim. 1. 3. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known c. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever Amen Philip. 4. 6 20. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ c. Since we heard of your faith c. Giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints Col. 1. 3 12 13. 1 Thes 1. 2 3. In the faith c. abounding therein with thanksgiving Col. 2. 7. Be ye thankful c. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God and the Father by him Col. 3. 15 17. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving Col. 4. 2. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God c. 1 Thes 2. 13. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you 1 Thes 1. 18. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me c. who was before a blasphemer c. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen 1 Tim. 1. 12 13 17. Every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving 1 Tim. 4. 3 4. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks or confessing to his name c. Heb. 13. 15 21. Psal 116. 17. Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 2 Pet. 3. 18. Is any merry Let him sing Psalms James 5. 13. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according unto his abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope c. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Ye are a chosen generation c. that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you c. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope which is in you with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3. 15. If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God c. that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever Amen 1 Pet. 4. 11. ch 5. 11. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever 2 Pet. 3. 18. Now unto him who is able c. to the only wise God our Saviour be glory majesty and dominion c. Jude Vers 4 24 25. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things c. Rev. 4. 11. And they sung a new song Thou art worthy c. for thou wast slain c. Worthy is the Lamb which was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing
grudgings 1 Pet. 4. 9. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren 1 John 9. 16. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Phil. 2. 3. See Walking Humbly Chap. 16. IV. Not rashly easily and unadvisedly to judge or take up a prejudice against any believe reports take offence or be angry but tenderly to forgive cover faults restore such as have offended in meekness love and privacy NOah was uncovered Ham saw his fathers nakedness and told his two brethren without and Shem and Japhet took a garment and laid it upon their shoulders and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father c. and they saw not their fathers nakedness c. Gen. 9. 21 22 23 24 25. When Joseph had told his dream his brethren envied him but his father observed the saying Gen. 37. 8 9 10 11. Thou shalt not raise or receive a false report Exod. 23. 1. Thou shalt not avenge or bear any grudge against the children of thy people Levit. 19. 18. When the children of Reuben the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had built an Altar to a good end the rest of their brethren heard of it and presently concludes it to be a turning away from the Lord and they resolve rashly to go to war against them Joshua 22. 10 11 12 16 17 18 c. Eli thought Hannah was drunk when 〈◊〉 she was praying 1 Sam 1. 12 13 14 15 c. When Absalom desigued his rebellion there went two hundred men out of Jerusalem with him and they went in their simplicity and they knew not any thing 2 Sam. 15. 10 11. David conceived evil of Mephibosheth without cause through Ziba's lye 2 Sam. 16. 3. 4. ch 19â— 24 25 c. Lord who shall abide in thy tabernacle c. he who backbiteth not c. nor taketh up or receiveth or endureth a reproach against his neighbour Psal 15. 1 3. The Lord is merciful c. slow to anger Psal 103. 8. Hatred stirreth up strife but love covereth all sins c. He who uttereth a slander is a fool Prov. 10. 12 18. The simple believeth every word but the prudent man looketh well to his goings c. He who is soon angry dealeth foolishly Prov. 14. 15 17. A wicked doer giveth heed to lying lips a lyar gives ear to a naughty tongue c. He who covereth a transgression seeketh love or procureth love Prov. 17. 4 9. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression Prov. 19. 11. All who watch for iniquity are cut off Who make a man an offender for a word Isa 29. 21 22. Whosoever is angry with his Brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment Matth. 5. 22. If ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if ye forgive not men their trespasses c. Mat. 6. 14 15. Judge not that ye be not judged c. Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye but considerest not the beam which is in thine own eye or how wilt thou say to thy brother let me pull out c. Mat. 7. 1 3 4. Gen. 38. 13 c. If thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother c. Peter said Lord how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him till seven times Jesus said unto him I say not unto thee until seven times but until seventy-times-seven c. I forgave thee all that debt c. Shouldest thou not also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant even as I had pity on thee c. and his Lord was wroth c. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive 〈◊〉 every one his brother their trespasses Mat. 18. 15 21 22 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35. The disciples blamed the woman as wasting the oyntment but Christ justified her Matth. 26. 7 8 c. If thy brother trespass against thee rebuke him and if he repent forgive him If he trespass against thee seven times a day c. thou shalt for 〈◊〉 him Luke 17. 3 4. 〈◊〉 not according to the appearance but judge 〈◊〉 judgment Joh. 7. 24. Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple yet confessed not openly for fear John 19. 38 39. The believers of the circumcision rashly judged of Peter and contended with him for eating with the Gentiks But when Peter gave them an account of the cause they held their peace c. Acts 11. 1 2 3 4 18. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour Rom. 13. 10. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of mans judgment or day c. Judge nothing before the time until the Lord come who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness c. 1 Cor. 4. 3 4 5. Charity suffereth long c. seeketh not her own is not eaily provoked thinketh no evil c. beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 7. In malice be ye children 1 Cor. 14. 20. The fruit of the spirit is c. long-suffering gentleness c. meekness Gal. 5. 22 23. Titus 3. 2. Brethren if or although a man be overtaken in a fault ye who aâ—e spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ Gal. 6. 1 2. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called with all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love c. be tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4. 1 2 32. But now you also put off all these anger wrath malice c. Put on therefore as the elect of God c. bowels of mercies c. meekness long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another If any man have a complaint or quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye Col. 3. 8 12 13. Let every man be c. slow to wrath for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God James 1. 19 20. Speak not evil one of another brethren for he who speaketh evil of his brother speaketh evil of the Law c. Who art thou who judgest another James 4. 11 12. Above all things have servent charity among your selves for Charity shall or will cover the multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4. 8. V. To live peaceably among themselves avoid whispering tale-bearing and whatsoever tends to provake divide or disturb the peace among them ABram said unto Lot Let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee c. for we be brethren c.
me c. every day they wrest my words all their thoughts are against me for evil Psal 56. 1 2 5. The mighty are gathered against me not for my transgression nor my sin O Lord they run and prepare themselves without my fault c. Psal 59. 3 4 7. Ps 119. 86 161. The workers of iniquity who whet their tongues like a sword c. bitter words that they may shoot in secret at the perfect c. Psal 64. 2 3 4 5. They who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head Psal 69. 4. Psal 109. 2 3 4. They who hate thee have lifted up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden ones They have said Come and let us cut them off c. Psal 83. 2 3 4 5. Psal 31. 13. How long shall the wicked triumph shall they utter and speak hard things c. they break in pieces thy people O Lord and afflict thine heritage c Who frame mischief by a law they gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous and condemn the innocent blood Ps 94. 3 4 5 20 21. The proud have forged a lie against me Ps 119. 69 86. We are exceedingly filled with contempt our foul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those who are at ease with the contempt of the proud Psal 123. 3 4. The enemy hath persecuted c. my spirit overwhelmed c. my heart is desolate c. my spirit faileth c. Psal 143. 3 4 7. All that pass by the way clap their hands at thee they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem saying Is this the City c. we have swallowed up certainly this is the day we looked for We have found c. Lam. 2. 15 16. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set oâ—r the affairs of the provinces c. These men O king have not regarded thee they served not thy gods nor worship golden-images c. and they cast them into the fiery-furnace Dan. 3. 9 12 20 21. The wicked devoureth the man who is more righteous than he Habak 1. 13. The princes and the presidents sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom but they could find none c. Then said these men We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel except we find it against him in the law of his God c. They procure a law that none should ask of any god or man but the king c. watch Daniel accuse him and cast him into the lions den Dan. 6. 4 5 to v. 17. They afflict the just therefore the prudent shall keep silence c. for it 's an evil time Amos 5. 12 13. Herod had laid hold on John and bound him and put him in prison for Herodias sake c. for John said to him It is not lawful for thee to have her c. and he sent and beheaded John in the prison Mat. 14. 3 4 9 10. Herod and Pilate who were at enmity before persecute Christ and were made friends Luke 23. 11 12. Because you are not of the world c. therefore the world hateth you John 15. 19. They disputed with Stephen and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake then they stirred up the people c. and came upon him and caught him and brought him to the council and set up false witnesses Acts 6. 9 to 14. Herod the king stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the church and he killed James the brother of John with the sword and because he saw it pleased the Jews he proceeded to take Peter and imprison him c. Acts 12. 1 2 3 4. They caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers and brought 〈◊〉 to the magistrares saying These men being Jews do exceedingly trouble our city and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive neither to observe being Romans c. they beat them put them into prison Acts 16. 19 to v. 25. ch 19. 9. The Philosophers c. say unto Paul What will this babler or base fellow say Acts 17. 18. There arose no small stir about that way for a cèrtain man c. who made silver shrines for Diana c. complained against Paul made a great uproar laid hold of Paul's companions Acts 19. 23 to v. 30. We would not have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia 2 Cor. 1. 8 9. I suffer trouble unto bonds 2 Tim. 2. 9. Ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whiles ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproches and afflictions c. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods c. Heb. 10. 32 33 34. Others were tortured c. Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonments c. of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11. 35 36 37 38. Do not rich men oppress you by tyranny and draw you to the tribunals James 2. 6. Ye have condemned and killed the just and he doth not resist you James 5. 6. They speak evil of you as of evil doers c. 1 Pet. 3. 16. ch 4. 4. The world hath not known you because they have not known him c. Marvel not my brebrethren if the world hate you 1 〈◊〉 3. 1 13. ch 3. 30. I John c. was in the isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Christ Jesus Rev. 1. 9. Secondly From hypocritical Professors of the true God Jews Men zealous of the Law and Traditions The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering But unto Cain and his offering he had no respect c. Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him Gen. 4. 4 5 8. 1 John 3. 12. Gen. 27. 43. Esau cameâ—forth against Jacob with four hundred men Gen. 32. 6 7 8 c. Joseph's brethren hate him and could not speak peaceably unto him c. they conspired against to slay him c. they cast him into a pâ—t c. they sell him to the Ishmaelites c. Gen. 37. 4 10 11 18 20 24 27 28. ch 45. 4 5. Joshua envied Eldad and Medad for prophecying and would have Moses forbid them but Moses rebukes him Numb 11. 27 28 29. Saul eyed David that day and forward c. He said I will smite David c. he became his enemy continually often attempted to take away his life from him 1 Sam. 18 8 9 11 17 29. ch 19. 1 9 10 11. ch 22. ch 24. ch 26. Absalom conspired against his father David 2 Sam. 15. Shimei cursed David when he fled from Absolom 2 Sam. 16. 5 6 7 8 13. Ahab pursued Elijah in every nation c. he said to Elijah when he saw him Art thou he who troubleth Israel 1 Kings 18. 10 17. ch 21. 20. Jezebel threatens to take away Elijah his
remembered that God was their rock c. Psal 78. 34 35. Isa 9. 13. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes the law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold c. Psal 119. 71 72. My beloved had withdrawn himself was gone my soul failed c. I sought him c. Cant. 5. 6. Such as escape of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him who smote them but shall stay upon the Lord the holy one of Israel in truth Isa 10. 20 21. In that day it shall come to pass that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin c. At that day shall a man look to his maker and his eyes shall have respect to the holy one of Israel and he shall not look to the altars c. Isa 17. 4 5 6 7 8. In vain have I smitten your children they receive no correction Jer. 2. 30. Amos 4. 10. Wherefore doth a living man complain c. let us search and try our ways and turn again unto the Lord Lam. 3. 39 40. Isaiah 9. 13. Jeremiah 31. 18 19. I will cause you to pass under the rod c. and ye shall know that I am the Lord Ezekiel 20. 37 38. Behold I will hedge up thy way c. Then shall she say I will go and return to my first husband for then was it better with me than now c. Hos 2. 6 7 8 ch 5. 15. I will bring a third part through the fire c. they shall call on my name and I will hear them Amos. 4. 10. We had the sentence of doath in our selves that we should not trust in our selves but in God who raiseth the dead who delivered us c. 2 Cor. 1. 8 9 10. Our light affliction worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen c. 2. Cor. 4. 17 18. See Repentance Chap. 33. 4. For Gods own Glory and the furtherance of the Gospel I will harden Pharaohs heart that he shall follow after them and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his host that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord c. And the Egyptians pursued after them c. and the children of Israel were sore afraid c. Exod. 14. 4 9 10 17 18. He fed thee with Manna c. that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live Deut. 8. 3. Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great cause to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die 2 Sam. 12. 14. Hast thou considered my servant Job c. and still he holdeth fast his integrity although thou movest me against him to destroy him without cause Job 2. 3. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Psalm 76. 10. The Three Children's Sufferings made Persecutors acknowledge and give Honour to God Dan. 3. 27 28 29. So Daniel's Sufferings made Darius the King who had caused him to be cast into the Lions Den to acknowledge and honour God Dan. 6. 20 26 27. Master Who did sia this man or his parents that he was born blind Jesus answered Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents but that the work of God might be made manifest in him John 9. 1 2 3. Jesus said This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby John 11. 3 4. This spake he signifying by what death he should glorifie God John 21. 18 19. We are troubled on every side c. that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body for we who live are always delivered unto death that the life of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh 2 Cor. 4. 8 9 10 11. When Paul was buffeted c. he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart and it was said My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness Most gladly will I therefore rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me c. 2 Cor. 12. 7 8 9 10. I would have you understand c. that the things which have happened to me have fallen out to the furtherance of the gospel c. and many of the brethren of the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear Philip. 1. 12 13 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ c. the spirit c. on your part he is glorified 1 Pet. 4. 14. 5. For the effecting of great Good and Advantage to those who are exercised with Trouble c. JOseph's Afflictions and Sufferings his being sold by his brethren and afterwards being imprisoned happened through God to his great honour and advantage He advanced to be next the King his Brethren who sold him made to bow to him and honour him and are nourished by him his Father's Sorrow also recompenced in that Joseph provided for him in the Famine Gen. 37. 28 34 35. ch 29. 5 20. ch 41 39 40 41 42 43 44. ch 45. 5 7 8. ch 47. 11 12. But as for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as at this day to save much people alive Gen. 50. 20 21. The more they afflicted them the more they multiplied and growed Exod. 1. 11 12. Ezra 5. ch 6. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the Lord and believed the Lord and his servant Moses Exod. 14. 31. Who fed thee with Manna c. that he might humble thee c. to do thee good in the latter end Deut. 8. 16. Hezekiah left of God to try him that he might know all that was in his heart 2 Chron. 32. 31. When Manasseh was afflicted he sought the Lord the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers and prayed unto him c. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God c. He took away the strange gods c. 2 Chron. 3. 3 11 12 13 15 16. Tatnai the Governor opposing the Jews wrought for their advantage in the end Ezra 5. ch 6. If they be bound in fetters c. then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they may have exceeded He openeth also their ear to discipline Job 36. 8 9 10. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy word c. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes c. Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me Psal 119. 67 71 75. They who sow in tears