unto God that great Prophet of the Church our Lord Jesus Christ himself did not only reveal his Fathers mind to his Disciples but often prayed and that earnestly for them as in that 17. Joh. and other places Vse And if this be so then by way of equity People ought to pray for their Minister but to pass to the second after his exhorting them to stedfastness he goes to Prayer and it shews thus much that Paul's exhortations to them were not sufficient of themselves to stablish these Saints without the grace of God in as much as these things given in command to stedfastness is backt by Prayer it intimates how little these will prevail unless God touch the Heart from whence we have this Doctrine Doct. II. That Ministers Preaching without Godâ—s blessing will do Peoples souls no good The voice of Ministers in Preaching is but an empty sound and though it come into our ears will never reach the Heart unless the doctrine have efficacy from the Spirit of Truth Neither Paul or any of his fellow-labourers in the work of the Gospel will bring people into or keep them in the ways of the Lord unless God bless their labours to that end none of these blessed Apostles could by any of their own power by the height or strength of arguments prevail with them to obey the Gospel they could never convert to the Truth or keep them in the Truth unless God were pleased to turn their Hearts this is clear by the Jews under the Old Testament and the people under the New the Word of God that came to the Jews how often doth Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel and other Prophets tell them of their sins but they would not hear see how the Lord complains in the 17. Jerem. 25. Since the day that your Fathers came forth out of the Land of Egypt unto this day I have sent unto you all my Servants the Prophets daily riseing up early and sending them yet they hearkned not unto me c. for all they had so many messengers from God to them and this too afterward repeated in several places yet they did not hearken to God neither when they were in their own Countrey nor in a strange Land and so in the New Testament Peter and Paul here That laboured more abundantly then they all yet how inefficatious was it to many when he Preached to the Jews 13. Acts 45. ver They were filled with envy and spake against those things that were spoken by Paul contradicting and blaspheming And so among the Gentiles instead of prevailing with them to bring them to the Truth he was persecuted by them 1 Cor. 3.5 6. Who is Paul or who is Apollo but Ministers by whom you believe and though he did prevail with many it was not of themselves but it was the Lord that gave the increase your believing your getting grace your growing and increasing in holiness is only through the blessing of God Therefore when Paul tells us of several places where he did good he saith when he came to such or such a place there was a door opened to him as a door of utterance to the Apostle so a door of entrance to the People that they received the Word of God and though his commission runs That he might turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Sathan unto God c. 26. Acts 18. yet he is only the instrumental cause God is only the efficient cause God alone commanded the light to shine out of darkness he alone that is the heart searcher is the heart changer he opened Lydias heart we need not go far to evidence this Truth we need not go abroad but stay at home to see this sad spectacle how many faithful Preachers hath God sent to this Land of ours for many scores of Years together scarce any Nation under Heaven hath had that plenty of Ministers and Ordinances that England hath had and that powerful Preaching since the Apostles days that we have had and yet what little fruit to be seen How many setled upon their Lees and will not be brought off he that was filthy is filthy still How great are the abominations Lying Swearing Whoring Drunkeness c. How doth the love of many wax cold How many back-sliding from the Truth and ways of God what ever Ministers say to the contrary People time after time have been call'd on to walk after the Spirit and not after the Flesh yet they refuse to return may not the Lord say to us as to the Jews Isa 5.4 5 6. verses What could have been done more to my Vine-yard that I have not done in it Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth Grapes brought it forth Wild-grapes I wish we have no occasion to take notice of the words following vers 5. And now go to I will tell you what I will do to my Vine-yard I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten up and break down the wall of it and it shall be troden down vers 6 And I will lay it wast it shall not be pruned nor digged but there shall come up briers and thornes I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it which judgment God in his mercy prevent it is true Ministers may do thus much save their own souls by taking heed to their Doctrine and their lives and by warning people of their sins and though Ministers by Preaching may leave people without excuse they cannot say at the last day Lord if we had known our duty we would have done it Ministers Preaching may add to Peoples sufferings they may increase their condemnation another day but alas it is not in the power of Ministers to affect Peoples hearts or reform their lives how earnest then should Ministers and People be that when the Word of God is Preached they should pray that the power of God might accompany it Peoples prayers should be that as God would send forth Labourers into his harvest so that God would make that food that 's sent them to nourish their souls in spiritual life unto life eternal for man lives not by bread only but by the Word of God as natural life is not preserved through bread without the concurance of Gods providence so neither spiritual life without the influence of his Spirit the Sword of the Spirit is only able to strike through our lusts the weapons of our warfare are only mighty through God People had need pray as for their Ministers that they may have a door of utterance so for themselves that they may have a door of entrance that with readiness of mind they may be brought to and built up in their most holy Faith that when the Gospel comes by Preaching to them it may come not only in word but in power of the Holy Ghost Thirdly Whereas he prays not only to God the Father but to the Lord Jesus Christ for these Saints comfort and establishment we
thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee God will be with his People underneath shall be his everlasting arms God was with his People of Old in Egypt in the Wilderness in Captivity he was with Daniel in the Den with Paul and Silas in the Stocks with Peter in Prison with John in Pathmos Secondly God will do us good by our trouble Rom. 8. vers 28. All things shall work together for good to those that love God c. and in very faithfullness thou hast afflicted me saith David and it is good for me that I have been afflicted c. and who can harme you if you do well saith Paul God will draw us off from sin by it make us meet to be pertakers of Heaven our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Thirdly God will in due time bring you out of trouble God will not alwaies leave his People in trouble the Rod of the wicked shall not alwaies rest upon the back of the righteous and Psal 34.4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me and vers 17. The Righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles Oh let 's labour to have an humble Spirit to be affected with and humbled for our sins and a praying Spirit and God will deliver us waite but for a time c. It is good for a man to waite and quietly to hope for the Salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3.26 For God will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able but will make away to escape But to go on And stablish you c. Doct. Christians should labour to be Established First in every good word let your speech be alwaies seasoned with grace our discourses should never be frothy but Savory Eph. 5.3.4 Foolishnes and filthy talking let it no be once named saith the Apostle and by the way take heed of deriding Scripture of jesting with Scripture Phrases but the meaning of the words is that you may be stablished in the Truth of the Gospel that is in all Doctrinal and Practical truths the meaning is I pray saith the Apostle that you be not led a side by the errour of the wicked either in regard of unsound Opinions or unholy conversation hold fast the form of sound words walk in the truth with well doing buy the truth and sell it not labour to be sound in God's statutes in regard of your judgment and sincere in your practices I should have given you many Motives to press you to this duty of stablishing Motive I. This will be to the honour of God and make the world believe that God is in this People of a truth certainely ther 's a God in Heaven that makes his People on Earth to be steadfast in their service of God that they will not turn aside from the commands of God Motive II. Again this will be the joy of Ministers here and hereafter 3. Epistle of Job ver 4. I have no greater joy then to hear that my Children walk in truth and Paul tells us of these Thessalonians that their steadfastness did comfort him in all his afflictions 1. Thes 3.7.8.9 Therefore my Brethren we were comforted over you in all our afflictions and distress by your faith for now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord for what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God I this will rejoyce our hearts indeed if you hold fast stand fast and we cannot tell how to be thankfull enough to God for it oh what a joy is this that God hath honoured us so far that the word of God in our mouths was not in vaine but that People continue in the truth and so it will be the Ministers joy hereafter 1 Thes 2.19.20 For what is our hope or joy or Crown of rejoycing are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming for ye are our glory and joy There will be the glory of Ministers when they come before the judgment seat of Christ when they can say Lord here am I and the Children thou hast given me and then to conclude with that Phil. 4.1 Therefore my brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and Crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved Motive III. And lastly this will be for your comfort in this World and in another world by this you will make your calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.11 And so an entrance shall be Ministred unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom c. and that you may be so Means I. First labour to converse much in the Scriptures do but as they direct you and you will not do a miss this was the commendation of the Bareans they were called Noble because they searched the Scriptures most People erre from the truth not knowing the Scriptures Psal 1. Therefore if you would not walk in the Counsel of the ungodly not stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornfull let your delight be to meditate in the Law of the Lord. 1. Joh. 4.1 Beloved believe not every spirit but trie the Spirits whether they be of God trie them how Trie all Doctrines bring them to the Touchstone to the word take no Opinion upon trust weigh Opinions in the balance of the Sanctuary Isa 8.20 To the law and to the Testimony c. and 2 Pet. 1.19 We have a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto you do well to take heed c. Means II. Secondly if we would be established let us be very watchfull and that the rather because unsound Doctrines and ungodly Practices are very suitable to our corrupt Natures be watchfull that you may be strengthened in the waies of the Lord take heed that you fall not from your own steadfastness Means III. Thirdly be earnest with God in prayer that he would stablish you and that Reason I. First because none can stablish you but God Joh. 15.5 Without me you can do nothing there is so much unbelief remains in the heart of the best men in the World that we shall soon depart from God unless he keep us therefore we must watch our hearts Now he that stablisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God 2 Cor. 1.21 Reason II. Secondly let 's pray to him for stablishing because he hath promised to stablish his People in every good â—ord and work though God's people my backslide for a time yet if they belong to God he will humble them for their sins it shall cost them dear and as Paul prays for it 1 Thes 3.13 That they might be stablished so he tells them of God's promise Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good Work in you will perform it untill the day
STRENGTH MADE PERFECT IN Weakness In Four Sermons Preached By William Hickocks M. A. Quandoquidem nobis denegatur diu vivere relinquamus aliquid quo nos vixisse testemur Sen. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Crowns and Bible at the Lower end of Cheap-side 1674. THE EPISTLE TO THE Reader READER THE worthy Author of these Sermons Mr. William Hickocks was Educated in the Schools of the Prophets and that in an happy time when the envious man was not permitted the Nurseries and Vine-yards to poyson and spoyle them with the Tares of unsound Doctrines and evil Examples and it pleased God to Sanctifie his Liberal and Pious Education that he became not onely a good Christian but also an able Minister not of the Letter but of the Spirit He made the work of his Ministry the work not only of his Head but Heart too shineing with the splendor of Knowledge and Holiness and burning with very Holy Well-grounded Affectionate Zeal giving himself to spend and be spent ready to impart his very soul and all in Delivering and Vrging his great Master's Errand Observing his Spirit as I had frequent opportunity of Converse with him I often thought he savoured too much of the other World to be far from it and so it was indeed His Light was too bright and hot to last his Race too swift and eager to hold he threw himself with strong girds before his feet and soon apprehending the prize left his Body behind Great Labours and Publick as well as Personal deep Resentments exhausted his Spirits and quickly reduced his Body to the dregs of Melancholy so that he was often as Epaphroditus once sick even to death for the work of the Ministry God also early called him forth as David when but a stripling to grapple with Goliah-like Temptations wherein indeed he was Conqueror but yet as Christ with great faintness of Spirit the Lord therefore seeing him weary took him up in his arms and carried him home excusing him his otherwise-remaining travel Oh! how precious had his experiences been had he had Life and Health to acquaint us with them Oh! the depth of the Wisdom and Counsel of God and his ways past finding out that so fruitful a Tree should not be spared that a Vessel of Mercy and Honor so purged and fitted for his Masters use should be dashed in pieces even as soon almost as it was seasoned and broached But yet blessed be God although the Earthen Vessel be broken we have not lost all the Treasure the less it is that is saved the more we should make of it as we carry it towards the Parents of many Children when they leave but one onely little one behind we account it very dear especially if it be like the Parent and truly so is this little Book in thy hand it being a representation of the Consistency of Faith and Doubting Fear and Hope Heaviness and Gladness in one and the same Godly Person whereof the Author was a famous Instance as if this had been his very Temper and Complexion Behold then here one onely little Birth * These Sermons being Published as they were taken in Short-hand something hurt indeed in the coming forth for want of better Midwifry but yet of many resembling the Parent and costing him his very Life Behold Reader I present thee with a taste of the Fruit under the waight whereof the Tree did Bend Break and Fall yet shall we answer at last if we Refuse or Receive so costly Grace in vain Oh! what a sad account shall we have to make if this man of God and the many others which are lately taken from amongst us should be gone to Heaven to complain of our Vnthankfulness Vntractableness Vnfruitfulness Vnsteadfastness c. whereby we have broken their Hearts Good Reader I warn in Paper and Inke and would more gladly do it in Tears if the Lord would please to hear Prayers that we may be Restored to the free Publick Exercise of our Ministry Amen The second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians the second Chapter the sixteenth and seventeenth Verses 16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace 17. Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work AS it is the duty of all when they have the Truth made known to them to receive it so much more is it the duty of believers that have received the Truth to hold it fast As we are to buy the Truth so having once bought it never to sell it as we are to lay hold on it so never to let it go as it is our duty to imbrace the Truth so it should be our care never to let it go never to leave it The Apostle having in this Chapter exhorted the Saints to steadfastness to watchfulness and carefulness he presseth his Exhortation from variety of Motives taken partly from the Apostasie of those that are seemingly friends to the Truth partly from the misery of the enemies of the Truth and then again in regard of the holyness they were adorned with and the happiness they should ere long injoy and therefore he repeats his exhortation to stedfastness in the Verse before the Text Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the tradition not of men but of God which you have been taught that is those Doctrines you have received whether from our mouths or writings that is from the Apostles who were infallibly guided by the Holy Ghost And to this Exhortation he adds Supplication in the words now read wherein take notice of four things First The Persons praying Paul Silvanus and Timotheus Secondly The Persons prayed for The Saints of the Church of the Thessalonians Thirdly The Persons prayed too and they are two First God the Son Secondly God the Father The Apostle mentions the Son first no◠that he is so in order of Nature but he 〈◊〉 not curious in placing his words though 〈◊〉 very well knew that God the Father is the first Person in the Trinity God even our Father where we have first his Love asserted who hath loved us Secondly declared and illustrated first in the effects of it and hath given us everlasting consolation and then in the cause of it and good hope through grace Lastly The Petitions themselves or Blessings prayed for and they are two Consolation and Confirmation Consolation comfort your Hearts Confirmation stablish you in every good Word and Work My time is but short the Text is large and therefore I must but only in many things paraphrase upon the Words Now our Lord Jesus Christ Now or first the Apostle here adds this Supplication to his former Exhortation from whence I might note First Doct. I. That the Ministers of the Gospel are not only to Preach to but to pray for the People As they are to speak from God to them so they are to speak for them
Maranatha Oh let it not for shame be said that we love not the Lord Jesus Christ Oh cursed is that man that loves not Jesus Christ who comes to bring blessedness to him we should love Jesus Christ because he is altogether lovely white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand Cant. 5.10 none can save us but he Then again the conexion of the words is very remarkable the Apostle doth not say our Lord Christ himself nor our Jesus himself but our Lord Jesus he joyns Lord and Jesus both together and what the Scripture joyns together we must not put asunder from whence we may raise this Doctrine Doct. They whose Jesus is he is their Lord or if you please thus They to whom Christ is a Jesus he is a Lord or Whom Christ saves them he rules To whom Christ is a Saviour to them he is a Governour Christ 〈…〉 be our Jesus he is our Lord if we mistake here we are undone for ever Act. 5.31 The Apostle speaking of Jesus Christ he faith thus Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour c. he hath exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel not only a Saviour but a Prince they go both together where Christ is a Saviour there he is a Prince where Christ gives remission of sins he giveth power over sin Rom. 6.14 saith the Apostle Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under grace you that are under the saving grace of the Gospel of Iesus Christ you are set free from sin not but that you may fall into sin but it doth not bear sway in your soul it cannot have it's full command you cannot be led captive to sin Vse Now this may be for a use of trial to try whether Christ be our Saviour yea or no examine your selves be faithful to your own souls would you know whether Christ be your Iesus or no ask your selves this question is he your Lord or no is he your Governour he is the King of Saints as well as the Saviour of his people if you follow your lusts and live in sin knowingly and willingly walk after the sinful desires of your own hearts Christ will profit you nothing you shall find what I say to be true one day I wish you find it not by sad experience if you will not be subject to the holy commands of Christ do not so much as expect mercy from Iesus Christ for Iesus Christ tells you himself if you will not be rulâ—d by him he will not save you if you will not obey his Gospel he will be a destroyer and not a Saviour to you remember what he hath said Luk. 19.27 if you refuse obedience to him look not for any favour from him As for those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me That man that would have his lusts reign and not me rule over him bring that soul before me I will throw him into Hell Many shall flatter themselves as in that 13. of Luk. 25. and come with confidence saying Lord Lord open unto us c. let us go into Heaven but he shall answer Lord why call you me Lord I know you not whence ye are but then they shall begin to make apology and say we have heard thou art a Jesus we have eaten and drunk in thy presence we have been at thy Ordinances at thy Word and Sacraments thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say ver 27. I tell you I know you not you are strangers to me I never remember you kept my commands I tell you I will not take notice of you depart from me all ye workers of iniquity if you will not take one answer there 's a second depart from me all ye workers of iniquity Oh how sad will it be then therefore now take the advise of our Saviour ver 24. Strive to enter in at the straight gate for many shall seek to enter but shall not be able Christ will save only those that obey him therefore I beseech you let me put this question to you for I would fain not have you go to Hell pray ask your own hearts alone in secret is there no known sin committed is there no known sin I delight in if thy heart make known to thee that there is if thou wilt not leave this sin it is a sign that Christ is none of thine Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin c. those that Christ saves he hath said Sin shall not have dominion over them Paul that great admirer of Iesus Christ he tells the people plainly that they may not flatter themselves Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ and least they should mistake he saith that walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit c. who though they have their sins and their failings yet their desire is to walk not after the lusts of their Hearts but after the Spirit for for all Christ died for sinners yet if they live and dye in their sins Christ will not save them if we live after the flesh we shall dye Rom. 8.13 and though it be true and this be a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners yet know this on the other hand Jesus Christ did never intend to save those that remain impenitent hard-hearted and stubborn sinners that live and dye in wickedness they shall find no mercy Job professeth his Faith in the Redeemer yet if he were not his Lord and Governour woe to him the Prophet Isa 3.11 saith Woe to the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands it shall be given him remember this We shall as surely go to Hell for all Christ dyed as if he had never dyed if we live and dye in sin therefore if thou wouldest have Christ a Saviour make conscience of obeying Christ Blessed are the undefiled in the way saith the Psalmist Psal 119.1 who walk in the Law of the Lord. ver 8. I will keep thy statutes oh forsake me not utterly If thou wil't keep Gods statutes thou mayest expect to be kept safe and vers 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee I then may we hope to do well ver 30. I have chosen the way of truth thy judgments have I laid before me ver 31. I have stuck unto thy testimonies Oh Lord put me not to shame and again ver 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I might keep thy word 102. I have not departed from thy judgments for thou hast taught me ver 162. I rejoyce in thy word as one that findeth great spoyles ver 163. I hate und abhor lying but thy law do I love ver
or the people of the great God and his peculiar People are sometimes in heaviness through their manyfold temptations Thirdly That the temptations true Christians are exercised withall shall be but for a season Fourthly That there is need why God's People sometimes should be in this heaviness should be exercised through manyfold temptations Fifthly That when Gods people are in heaviness when they are exercised with manifold temptations there is need of them Sixthly That they that fear God should rejoyce in hope of their eternal Salvation though now they be in heaviness through manyfold temptations I shall begin with the first and be but breif in it You are in heaviness through manyfold Temptations manyfold temptations it semes are your portion the Doctrine that lies plain before us is this First That God's people in this World are often under many temptations Many temptations or diverse temptations as the word is elsewhere Translated James 1. vers 2. Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations In opening this truth I shall endeavour very breifly to answer these to Queries First What is meant here by temptations Secondly How it may appeare that the godly are exercised or annoyed by divers temptations or manyfold temptations First What we are to understand by temptations Answer To that I answer this word temptation is taken several ways in Scripture but there are two Sorts of temptations that are especially mentioned in the sacred Word of God there are temptations to evil and temptations by evil temptations are taken either for an allurement unto Sinning or for Chastisement by suffering either for temptations to Sin or temptations to Sorrow Temptations are taken sometimes for temptations unto Sin so in Scripture often to mention but some few places now so we are to understand it in that place in that blessed form of Prayer that may be well used if not abused as too often it is Mat. 6.13 We are taught to pray lead us not into temptation that is lead us not into temptation to Sin and so the Apostles sense is in what he saith 1 Tim. 6. vers 9. They that will be rich fall into temptation they that are resolved they will thrive and prosper in the World whatever comes of it which way soever they get it they fall into temptation that is as the words following explane it into a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction Now in this sense it is true the godly have manifold temptations the best of men are not sometimes without the strongest and greatest temptations temptations unto Sin they are often tempted by the Devil and by the World and by their own Hearts to sin and that in several kinds the Act of sin the Practices of sin the Course of sin they are often tempted to cast of the fear of God and service of God so Job was though he did not harken to and was not overcome by that temptation but of these temptations it is not meant here Secondly As there are temptations to sin so there are temptations to sorrow as there are temptations to doing evil so there are temptations in suffering of evil and so temptations in Scripture are put for crosses and troubles and afflictions that the godly meet with in the world and St. Paul's troubles amongst his enemies the Jewes are called his temptations Acts. 20. vers 19. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many teares and temptations which befel me by the laying in wait of the Jewes Many troubles that he met with through that cross and perverse People that he Preached often unto and so the Exhortation of the Apostle James is to be understood James 1. vers 2. My brethen count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations that is not when you are tempted to many sins but when you are afflicted through many troubles though you meet with many crosses in the world yet do not be troubled but rejoyce at it is vers 12. Blessed is the man that endures temptation that is blessed is the man happy is the person that endures Persecutions afflictions for godliness sake for the Gospels sake that is willing to suffer hath a heart to suffer and strength to suffer in the ways and service of God and so the time of temptation in this sense is taken for trouble for the time of Persecution for the time of affliction and so our Saviour opens this Phrasâ— Luke 8.13 vers compare it with Mat. 13.20.21 vers what in the former place in Luke is called temptation in Matthew is called Persecution and Tribulation what one saith when temptation comes the other calls it Tribulation or Persecution arises by and by he is offended and so we are to understand temptations here in the Text manyfold temptations that is manyfold afflictions variety of troubles and Calamities all sorts of crosses which are therefore here called by the name temptation because men are tempted or tried by them they try mens faith and love and obedience they discover their sincerity and integrity So much for the first here what is meant by temptation Secondly How it doth appeare that the godly are exercised with manifold temptations This I might shew by an Induction of particulars by testimony of Scripture and by instances in the several sorts of temptations or troubles that the godly are afflicted with in this World I will speak to one or two take one Testimony of Scripture for it a few places I shall mention Psal 34.19 Many are the afflictions of the Righteous 2 Cor. 4.8 We are troubled on every side Psal 88.3 My soul is full of troubles Psal 25.17 The troubles of my heart are inlarged As soon as ever men begin to be good to lead good lives they are apt to see bad days in some senses Heb. 10.32 After you were illuminated you endured a great fight of afflictions After you were brought to the saving knowledge of God troubles were presently your Portion the cross is the constant companion of the Gospel I might shew further from whence it is from the malice of the Devil the rage of wicked men the sins of our own hearts the wise providence the merciful providence of the good God towards his people they have troubles and temptations in all kinds of out ward man of inward man in friends in enemies in their persons in their relations possessions what ever they have that is neare and deare to them but I cannot stand on â—…iculars let me only mention one that â—…e temptation that the Text mentions and that is the temptations that happen to the Saints here through Persecution for those whom the Apostle writes to 1 Pet. 1. they were scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia driven up and down for the Gospels sake to save themselves from the hand of wicked men and amongst many temptations this is one the temptation of Persecution this is the common temptation of the