outward_a conversation_n and_o depend_v thus_o pure_o upon_o our_o own_o mind_n it_o may_v equal_o subsist_v under_o all_o the_o alteration_n of_o this_o world_n whether_o prosperity_n or_o adversity_n peace_n or_o persecution_n to_o believe_v and_o to_o do_v right_o which_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o religion_n be_v alike_o practicable_a under_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o circumstance_n and_o whether_o we_o shall_v do_v thus_o or_o no_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o other_o but_z under_o god_n only_o of_o our_o own_o will_n this_o make_v the_o rewardableness_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v the_o oblation_n of_o our_o own_o good_a will_n and_o we_o be_v to_o choose_v they_o it_o also_o show_v the_o excellence_n thereof_o that_o depend_v on_o our_o own_o will_n nothing_o else_o which_o can_v never_o force_v our_o will_n can_v rob_v we_o of_o they_o these_o virtue_n lodge_v in_o a_o true_o good_a heart_n be_v like_o a_o treasure_n lay_v up_o in_o 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business_n be_v to_o force_v away_o these_o worldly_a good_n from_o religion_n it_o ask_v what_o will_v become_v of_o religion_n but_o all_o this_o while_o it_o consider_v not_o that_o religion_n be_v a_o spiritual_a thing_n which_o can_v subsist_v without_o these_o worldly_a encouragement_n that_o it_o look_v all_o at_o another_o world_n and_o so_o can_v continue_v the_o same_o it_o be_v when_o bereave_v of_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n that_o though_o it_o may_v have_v thing_n without_o in_o possession_n yet_o be_v it_o none_o of_o they_o but_o live_v itself_o and_o be_v lodge_v within_o where_o no_o force_n can_v come_v but_o where_o it_o can_v keep_v whether_o outward_a force_n will_v or_o no._n what_o will_v these_o worldly_a wise_a man_n have_v say_v have_v they_o live_v in_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o than_o they_o will_v have_v be_v call_v to_o embrace_v religion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o leave_v this_o world_n and_o have_v see_v religion_n thrive_v when_o it_o have_v nothing_o worldly_a about_o it_o and_o all_o that_o persecution_n can_v do_v at_o any_o time_n be_v only_o to_o bring_v it_o into_o this_o which_o be_v its_o primitive_a state_n but_o religion_n be_v not_o lose_v then_o but_o keep_v and_o uphold_v and_o subsist_v as_o true_o as_o it_o do_v the_o first_o day_n it_o appear_v and_o all_o the_o time_n it_o be_v grow_v up_o and_o make_v its_o way_n over_o all_o that_o oppose_v it_o in_o the_o unconvert_v world_n this_o in_o christianity_n must_v pass_v for_o a_o certain_a maxim_n that_o though_o ill_a art_n to_o keep_v off_o persecution_n may_v and_o in_o god_n just_a judgement_n ordinary_o do_v yet_o persecution_n itself_o never_o shall_v destroy_v the_o church_n our_o bless_a lord_n have_v give_v we_o his_o own_o word_n for_o this_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n i.e._n all_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n mat._n xuj_o 18_o and_o persecution_n be_v one_o of_o their_o main_a and_o strong_a battery_n yea_o persecution_n do_v not_o waste_v but_o improve_v and_o increase_v religion_n it_o destroy_v it_o among_o worldly_a wise_a man_n who_o be_v drive_v from_o any_o thing_n by_o worldly_a consideration_n so_o that_o if_o any_o be_v religious_a only_o or_o main_o from_o worldly_a motive_n they_o will_v quit_v and_o give_v it_o up_o for_o worldly_a loss_n and_o worldly_a wisdom_n rate_v who_o will_v keep_v or_o who_o will_v forego_v it_o only_o on_o worldly_a prospect_n it_o conclude_v religion_n if_o not_o quite_o lose_v must_v needs_o be_v mighty_o bring_v down_o almost_o to_o nothing_o by_o persecution_n but_o it_o be_v otherwise_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o spiritual_a prudence_n for_o that_o know_v it_o as_o i_o say_v to_o be_v seat_v in_o man_n heart_n and_o free_a will_n and_o so_o to_o be_v without_o the_o reach_n of_o outward_a force_n and_o devastation_n and_o that_o its_o genuine_a and_o proper_a support_n which_o it_o stand_v on_o there_o be_v not_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o but_o the_o future_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o another_o world_n which_o no_o persecutor_n can_v take_v from_o we_o so_o that_o when_o they_o have_v do_v their_o worst_a and_o despoil_v we_o of_o what_o be_v most_o valuable_a in_o this_o world_n yet_o all_o that_o be_v still_o leave_v which_o jesus_n christ_n the_o author_n thereof_o have_v offer_v to_o support_v it_o nay_o that_o instead_o of_o be_v abate_v be_v heighten_v by_o what_o they_o take_v from_o we_o because_o the_o more_o we_o suffer_v for_o our_o duty_n here_o the_o more_o we_o be_v to_o hope_v and_o expect_v to_o receive_v hereafter_o the_o other_o world_n which_o be_v to_o make_v man_n religious_a and_o to_o support_v religion_n be_v not_o only_o as_o much_o but_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o for_o we_o when_o we_o be_v under_o persecution_n than_o when_o we_o be_v under_o none_o indeed_o persecution_n leave_v no_o external_a visible_a support_n be_v the_o true_a trial_n of_o pretender_n to_o religion_n and_o discover_v who_o follow_v it_o main_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o what_o be_v not_o its_o own_o viz._n present_a indemnity_n at_o least_o if_o not_o recompense_v and_o encouragement_n and_o who_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o what_o be_v viz._n future_a and_o unseen_a reward_n they_o be_v a_o touchstone_n to_o try_v heart_n and_o temper_n that_o they_o who_o be_v approve_v as_o s._n paul_n say_v in_o case_n of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a 1_o cor._n xi_o 19_o according_o in_o the_o scripture_n we_o read_v of_o trial_n and_o temptation_n mean_v persecution_n 1_o cor._n x._o 13_o jam._n i._n 2_o and_o of_o the_o fiery_a trial_n or_o furnace_n of_o affliction_n that_o fine_n and_o purge_n the_o gold_n from_o the_o dross_n 1_o pet._n four_o 12_o 1._o persecution_n be_v not_o only_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n but_o as_o i_o may_v so_o say_v necessary_a to_o he_o for_o the_o probation_n or_o reprobation_n of_o his_o servant_n say_v tertul._n and_o make_v this_o discrimination_n it_o will_v lessen_v the_o number_n of_o the_o external_a professor_n of_o religion_n it_o strike_v off_o all_o the_o seed_n sow_v in_o thorny_a ground_n which_o can_v be_v choke_v by_o the_o care_n of_o this_o world_n mat._n xiii_o 7.22_o and_o those_o on_o the_o stony_a ground_n too_o who_o have_v no_o sufficient_a root_n of_o religion_n but_o too_o much_o of_o this_o world_n and_o who_o root_n lie_v almost_o at_o the_o surface_n be_v soon_o scorch_a and_o parch_v up_o when_o the_o heat_n of_o persecution_n come_v ver_fw-la 5.6.21_o it_o be_v the_o fan_n as_o ib._n tertullian_n say_v that_o purge_v the_o lord_n floor_n winnow_v the_o church_n which_o till_o then_o be_v a_o confuse_a heap_n of_o professor_n and_o separate_v the_o chaff_n
and_o light_a corn_n from_o the_o good_a wheat_n the_o nominal_a from_o the_o real_a the_o christian_n of_o this_o world_n from_o those_o of_o a_o better_a but_o it_o take_v off_o no_o right_a christian_n who_o be_v not_o right_o so_o long_o as_o any_o thing_n can_v make_v they_o desert_n their_o saviour_n or_o any_o duty_n of_o his_o religion_n when_o they_o be_v call_v by_o he_o to_o own_o and_o stick_v to_o they_o if_o any_o man_n love_v father_n or_o mother_n or_o his_o own_o life_n more_o than_o i_o he_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o i_o mat._n x._o 37.39_o luc._n fourteen_o 26_o if_o he_o take_v not_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o he_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o i_o mat._n x._o 38_o if_o he_o do_v not_o bear_v his_o cross_n and_o come_v after_o i_o he_o can_v be_v my_o disciple_n luk._n fourteen_o 27_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v right_o true_a christian_n persecution_n perfect_v they_o it_o take_v they_o off_o from_o fleshly_a delight_n and_o cure_v their_o inordinate_a love_n and_o complacence_n in_o or_o hankering_n after_o this_o world_n it_o make_v they_o sit_v loose_a to_o it_o and_o have_v a_o generous_a contempt_n thereof_o it_o heighten_v their_o pious_a resolution_n instead_o of_o abate_v they_o it_o do_v not_o stop_v their_o carrier_n in_o duty_n but_o enliven_v it_o it_o beget_v in_o they_o a_o triumphant_a disdain_n of_o the_o injury_n or_o reproach_n that_o be_v throw_v upon_o they_o for_o do_v a_o good_a thing_n and_o a_o complacence_n in_o the_o cross_n instead_o of_o a_o displeasure_n with_o themselves_o when_o it_o meet_v they_o in_o a_o good_a cause_n for_o in_o these_o suffering_n have_v the_o support_n of_o god_n promise_n the_o comfort_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o the_o applause_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n they_o be_v not_o only_o patient_a under_o their_o lot_n but_o satisfy_v with_o it_o they_o do_v not_o only_o bear_v their_o burden_n but_o glory_n and_o rejoice_v therein_o bless_a be_v you_o when_o man_n shall_v revile_v you_o and_o persecute_v you_o for_o righteousness_n sake_n rejoice_v then_o and_o be_v exceed_o glad_a say_v our_o lord_n mat._n v._n 10_o 11_o 12._o luc._n vi_fw-la 22_o 23._o count_v it_o not_o strange_a but_o rejoice_v in_o as_o much_o as_o you_o be_v partaker_n of_o christ_n suffering_n that_o you_o may_v be_v also_o of_o his_o glory_n under_o such_o suffering_n happy_a be_v you_o for_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n rest_v upon_o you_o say_v s._n peter_n 1_o pet._n four_o 12_o 13_o 14._o according_o say_v s._n paul_n i_o take_v pleasure_n in_o necessity_n in_o persecution_n in_o distress_n for_o christ_n sake_n 2_o cor._n twelve_o 10_o and_o the_o hebrew_n take_v joyful_o the_o spoil_n of_o their_o good_n know_v they_o have_v in_o heaven_n a_o better_a and_o more_o endure_a substance_n heb._n x._o 34_o a_o state_n of_o persecution_n be_v the_o most_o advantageous_a time_n for_o a_o christian_n to_o appear_v perfect_a in_o and_o passive_a virtue_n be_v the_o best_a ornament_n and_o most_o complete_a dress_n wherein_o he_o can_v show_v and_o recommend_v himself_o he_o be_v never_o so_o good_a so_o glorious_a and_o great_a as_o when_o he_o be_v brave_o and_o undaunted_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o confess_v under_o the_o cross_n of_o christ._n nay_o put_v the_o worst_a that_o can_v come_v that_o such_o a_o religious_a man_n be_v cut_v off_o and_o die_v for_o his_o religion_n yet_o even_o then_o must_v no_o man_n profane_o ask_v what_o be_v become_v of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v then_o become_v which_o shall_v become_v of_o it_o viz._n to_o carry_v the_o professor_n thereof_o to_o be_v everlasting_o happy_a in_o heaven_n and_o by_o their_o die_v for_o it_o which_o be_v more_o no_o hurt_n but_o good_a will_v come_v to_o religion_n among_o those_o that_o survive_v for_o persecution_n as_o it_o perfect_v so_o it_o spread_v and_o propagate_v true_o religious_a man_n if_o religion_n thereby_o lose_v outside_n professor_n it_o get_v sincere_a and_o faithful_a follower_n the_o church_n lose_v not_o so_o much_o by_o the_o suffering_n as_o it_o get_v by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o bless_a martyr_n for_o these_o strange_o affect_v and_o strike_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n their_o faith_n and_o patience_n and_o other_o noble_a virtue_n show_v man_n the_o power_n and_o excite_v their_o curiosity_n and_o mighty_o dispose_v they_o to_o hearken_v and_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o suffer_v for_o so_o that_o semen_n est_fw-la sanguis_fw-la christianorum_fw-la the_o blood_n of_o the_o martyr_n be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o church_n as_o 13._o tertullian_n say_v they_o find_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n these_o influence_v not_o only_o the_o weak_a but_o the_o wise_a person_n bring_v in_o such_o as_o justin_n that_o renown_a philosopher_n and_o martyr_n to_o see_v and_o receive_v the_o truth_n the_o great_a occasion_n of_o his_o conversion_n as_o he_o 50._o himself_o relate_v be_v that_o constancy_n and_o religious_a bravery_n the_o martyr_n show_v in_o their_o suffering_n there_o be_v a_o witness_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o saint_n that_o beget_v faith_n in_o beholder_n and_o therefore_o among_o the_o three_o that_o bear_v witness_n to_o christ_n on_o earth_n s._n john_n reckon_v the_o blood_n for_o one_o the_o spirit_n the_o water_n and_o the_o blood_n mean_v thereby_o their_o suffering_n in_o his_o cause_n 1_o jo._n v_o 8_o and_o s._n paul_n note_v the_o sign_n of_o a_o apostle_n who_o be_v to_o persuade_v and_o get_v belief_n in_o other_o tell_v the_o corinthian_n they_o be_v wrought_v among_o they_o in_o all_o patience_n 2_o cor._n twelve_o 12_o their_o suffering_n be_v one_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v god_n minister_n in_o all_o thing_n say_v he_o approve_v ourselves_o as_o the_o minister_n of_o god_n in_o much_o patience_n in_o affliction_n necessity_n distress_n and_o persecution_n of_o every_o sort_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o by_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n or_o the_o power_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n vi_o 4_o 5_o 7._o the_o pattern_n and_o the_o prayer_n the_o passive_a grace_n and_o suffering_n of_o the_o primitive_a saint_n and_o martyr_n as_o well_o as_o their_o preach_a and_o miraculous_a power_n be_v a_o cause_n that_o spread_v religion_n so_o strange_o under_o the_o primitive_a persecution_n instead_o of_o cut_v off_o it_o be_v real_o a_o widener_n and_o a_o true_a prolific_a principle_n and_o seed_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o do_v god_n turn_v this_o great_a rule_n of_o worldly_a wisdom_n into_o mere_a folly_n in_o this_o he_o absolute_o confound_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o take_v the_o fleshly_a wise_a as_o the_o scripture_n say_v in_o their_o own_o craftiness_n and_o demonstrate_v how_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v foolishness_n with_o god_n 1_o cor._n three_o 19_o 20._o when_o persecution_n go_v to_o destroy_v the_o religious_a they_o do_v not_o pull_v down_o but_o propagate_v and_o advance_v religion_n when_o they_o destroy_v and_o cut_v off_o some_o they_o drive_v in_o more_o and_o religion_n get_v new_a one_o in_o their_o room_n it_o lose_v none_o but_o outside_n or_o insincere_a professor_n but_o increase_v in_o the_o number_n of_o hearty_a and_o upright_a follower_n who_o be_v the_o true_a honour_n of_o religion_n and_o ornament_n of_o the_o church_n from_o this_o i_o observe_v how_o we_o must_v not_o say_v with_o worldly_a wise_a man_n that_o worldly_a ease_n and_o immunity_n be_v best_a for_o religion_n indeed_o outward_a peace_n and_o privilege_n be_v thing_n very_o valuable_a and_o acceptable_a to_o its_o professor_n as_o their_o place_n of_o profess_v it_o be_v here_o in_o this_o world_n and_o whilst_o they_o bear_v about_o they_o fleshly_a nature_n but_o as_o we_o must_v thankful_o value_v and_o improve_v it_o when_o we_o have_v it_o so_o must_v we_o consider_v too_o that_o religion_n itself_o and_o the_o spirit_n though_o the_o flesh_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n may_v be_v better_v by_o the_o want_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o that_o be_v but_o fit_a in_o this_o case_n to_o leave_v god_n to_o take_v his_o own_o way_n and_o choose_v for_o we_o and_o if_o at_o any_o time_n he_o be_v bring_v persecution_n on_o it_o be_v not_o for_o we_o to_o step_v out_o of_o his_o way_n to_o keep_v it_o off_o and_o excuse_v ourselves_o by_o say_v it_o be_v better_a for_o religion_n for_o when_o be_v it_o ever_o better_a for_o the_o church_n than_o in_o the_o first_o age_n when_o they_o run_v through_o the_o most_o and_o forest_n persecution_n be_v not_o that_o best_a for_o the_o church_n which_o make_v the_o most_o and_o the_o best_a good_a christian_n and_o when_o be_v they_o more_o or_o better_o in_o the_o place_n where_o christianity_n prevail_v than_o in_o those_o first_o
and_o persecute_v age_n be_v not_o those_o time_n a_o continual_a and_o vast_a increase_n of_o fresh_a convert_v and_o be_v not_o those_o convert_v of_o much_o better_a and_o more_o christian_a life_n under_o this_o discipline_n of_o persecution_n than_o other_o use_v to_o be_v in_o time_n of_o peace_n and_o secular_a advantage_n and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o abate_v the_o advantage_n of_o worldly_a peace_n and_o possession_n be_v not_o they_o too_o liable_a to_o carnalize_v and_o corrupt_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n do_v not_o the_o worldly_a possession_n which_o be_v design_v to_o encourage_v man_n in_o the_o way_n and_o ministry_n of_o religion_n too_o oft_o steal_v their_o heart_n away_o from_o it_o and_o then_o when_o a_o persecution_n come_v for_o any_o necessary_a truth_n or_o duty_n sake_n instead_o of_o be_v a_o friend_n and_o support_v be_v not_o they_o a_o enemy_n within_o the_o wall_n to_o betray_v and_o deliver_v it_o up_o the_o sad_a experience_n of_o such_o 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be_v on_o such_o occasion_n the_o great_a snare_n and_o bane_n to_o all_o other_o so_o that_o the_o advantage_n pleadable_a from_o these_o be_v only_o to_o those_o who_o can_v let_v they_o go_v for_o religion_n and_o love_n god_n and_o their_o duty_n above_o they_o and_o when_o god_n send_v persecution_n it_o be_v both_o the_o school_n wherein_o to_o show_v forth_o this_o raise_a temper_n of_o mind_n and_o wherein_o to_o improve_v and_o perfect_v it_o it_o be_v not_o for_o we_o therefore_o to_o say_v it_o be_v better_a for_o religion_n but_o only_o for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n whilst_o they_o profess_v religion_n to_o be_v out_o of_o persecution_n for_o when_o god_n see_v fit_a to_o send_v it_o upon_o his_o church_n as_o he_o always_o do_v when_o they_o can_v shun_v it_o without_o sin_n he_o design_n and_o will_v undoubted_o effect_v it_o to_o purge_v and_o purify_v to_o perfect_a and_o promote_v true_a and_o acceptable_a religion_n and_o godliness_n thereby_o and_o all_o that_o lose_v 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