debtor_n they_o be_v for_o if_o the_o gentile_n have_v be_v partaker_n of_o their_o spiritual_a thing_n their_o duty_n be_v also_o to_o minister_n unto_o they_o in_o carnal_a thing_n act_n 2.44_o 45._o all_o that_o believe_v be_v together_o and_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a and_o sell_v their_o possession_n and_o good_n and_o part_v they_o to_o all_o man_n as_o every_o man_n have_v need_v and_o 4.32_o neither_o say_v any_o of_o they_o that_o ought_v of_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o possess_v be_v his_o own_o but_o they_o have_v all_o thing_n common_a 6._o in_o all_o change_n and_o condition_n they_o be_v constant_a still_o one_o and_o the_o same_o not_o sickle_n or_o variable_a some_o time_n for_o one_o thing_n sometime_o for_o another_o act_v 2.42_o and_o they_o continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o in_o fellowship_n and_o in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o in_o prayer_n 46.47_o and_o they_o continue_v daily_o in_o the_o temple_n with_o one_o accord_n and_o break_v bread_n from_o house_n to_o house_n do_v eat_v their_o meat_n with_o gladness_n and_o singleness_n of_o heart_n praise_v god_n and_o have_v favour_n with_o all_o people_n and_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v 2_o cor._n 1.21_o 22._o 1_o thes_n 3.12_o 13._o rev._n 3.10_o thou_o have_v keep_v the_o word_n of_o my_o patience_n and_o 2.13_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o where_o thou_o dwell_v even_o where_o satan_n seat_n be_v and_o hold_v fast_v my_o name_n and_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o faith_n even_o in_o those_o day_n wherein_o antipas_n be_v my_o faithful_a martyr_n last_o the_o lord_n be_v gracious_o please_v to_o confer_v the_o honour_n of_o martyrdom_n upon_o they_o stephen_n be_v the_o proto-martyr_n act_v 7._o they_o be_v scatter_v at_o jerusalem_n by_o reason_n of_o persecution_n acts._n 8._o paul_n and_o peter_n suffer_v at_o rome_n under_o nero_n the_o one_o behead_v the_o other_o crucify_a so_o also_o james_n surname_v justus_n nay_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o escape_v a_o violent_a death_n john_n only_o except_v let_v we_o make_v some_o use_n of_o all_o this_o in_o some_o three_o or_o four_o thing_n 1._o let_v we_o bless_v god_n for_o his_o goodness_n to_o they_o o_o bless_a be_v the_o lord_n that_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o the_o apostle_n paul_n o_o bless_a be_v the_o lord_n for_o the_o truth_n ordinance_n gift_n and_o grace_n that_o be_v communicate_v to_o they_o we_o be_v in_o a_o sense_n sharer_n in_o the_o mercy_n what_o be_v then_o write_v or_o transact_v say_v or_o do_v be_v all_o for_o our_o instruction_n 2._o do_v the_o lord_n give_v forth_o such_o a_o abundant_a measure_n of_o the_o spirit_n at_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o what_o the_o work_n of_o that_o day_n do_v require_v which_o be_v to_o bring_v the_o carnal_a jew_n from_o off_o their_o ceremony_n and_o the_o heathenish_a gentile_n from_o satan_n to_o god_n who_o must_v see_v miracle_n otherwise_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v let_v we_o believe_v and_o be_v confident_a that_o the_o same_o good_a god_n will_v not_o be_v want_v to_o proportion_v the_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o his_o church_n and_o servant_n to_o the_o work_n of_o this_o our_o day_n which_o be_v the_o reformation_n of_o religion_n from_o antichristianism_n bless_a be_v the_o lord_n for_o any_o small_a bedewing_n and_o besprinkling_n of_o the_o spirit_n pour_v forth_o upon_o any_o in_o our_o time_n in_o order_n hereunto_o 3._o let_v we_o from_o hence_o bemoan_v ourselves_o and_o other_o that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o church_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v degenerate_v so_o far_o from_o they_o in_o doctrine_n discipline_n worship_n gift_n grace_n holiness_n of_o conversation_n perseverance_n in_o suffering_n contraria_fw-la mixta_fw-la seposita_fw-la clarius_fw-la elucescunt_fw-la in_o the_o primitive_a time_n christ_n place_v we_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o paradise_n but_o we_o have_v not_o keep_v our_o first_o habitation_n 4._o let_v we_o not_o only_o remember_v whence_o we_o be_v fall_v but_o also_o return_v to_o our_o first_o estate_n and_o when_o we_o set_v about_o a_o reformation_n whether_o personal_n or_o ecclesiastical_a let_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o set_v the_o primitive_a pattern_n before_o we_o as_o near_o as_o may_v be_v let_v we_o love_v as_o they_o do_v endeavour_v to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n as_o they_o do_v continue_v steadfast_o in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n in_o fellowship_n in_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n as_o they_o do_v no_o suffering_n fright_v they_o from_o follow_v the_o lamb_n be_v follower_n of_o they_o in_o all_o thing_n imitable_a so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v follower_n of_o christ_n six_o god_n be_v good_a to_o his_o gospel_n israel_n after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n till_o constantine_n time_n and_o here_o before_o i_o come_v to_o particular_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o premise_v these_o few_o general_a consideration_n as_o introductory_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o what_o be_v further_o intend_v 1._o be_v it_o know_v to_o you_o that_o immediate_o upon_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o persecute_a state_n it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v so_o in_o their_o time_n but_o not_o as_o afterward_o when_o there_o be_v public_a law_n and_o edict_n make_v against_o the_o profession_n and_o professor_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n providence_n so_o order_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v some_o respite_n till_o the_o gospel_n and_o church_n have_v some_o plantation_n 2._o the_o time_n of_o this_o persecute_a condition_n be_v three_o hundred_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o 3._o the_o instrument_n who_o the_o devil_n make_v use_v of_o for_o this_o diabolical_a service_n be_v the_o heathen_a emperor_n of_o rome_n rev._n 12.3_o the_o party_n there_o combat_v against_o michael_n and_o his_o angel_n christ_n and_o his_o people_n be_v thus_o describe_v a_o great_a red_a dragon_n have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n and_o seven_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n a_o dragon_n because_o of_o his_o power_n red_a because_o of_o his_o cruelty_n have_v seven_o head_n i_o e._n seven_o several_a sort_n of_o government_n in_o rome_n heathenish_a as_o also_o it_o be_v build_v upon_o seven_o hill_n have_v ten_o head_n with_o seven_o crown_n thereupon_o to_o distinguish_v rome-heathen_a from_o rome-antichristian_a rev._n 13.1_o that_o have_v not_o only_o seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n but_o also_o crown_n upon_o the_o horn_n to_o intimate_v that_o antichrist_n make_v kingdom_n of_o those_o that_o be_v but_o province_n during_o the_o dragon_n reign_n under_o the_o heathen_a emperor_n 4._o have_v peruse_v several_a writer_n of_o great_a note_n both_o for_o godliness_n and_o learning_n upon_o that_o transcendant_o high_a mystical_a scripture_n of_o the_o revelation_n it_o be_v most_o probable_a as_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o they_o guess_v right_o who_o assert_v that_o the_o seal_n chap._n 6._o hold_v forth_o this_o state_n of_o the_o church_n during_o the_o first_o three_o century_n of_o which_o ch._n 12._o to_o verse_n 13._o seem_v to_o be_v explicatory_a 5._o in_o treat_v of_o this_o subject_n i_o shall_v be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v use_n of_o history_n to_o which_o i_o require_v no_o more_o of_o you_o but_o a_o historical_a faith_n i_o account_v it_o a_o great_a mercy_n that_o every_o age_n have_v have_v some_o faithful_a servant_n of_o god_n who_o care_n it_o have_v be_v to_o transmit_v to_o posterity_n the_o memorable_a act_n of_o divine_a providence_n to_o his_o people_n psal_n 145.4_o one_o generation_n shall_v praise_v thy_o work_n to_o another_o and_o shall_v declare_v thy_o mighty_a act_n i_o will_v speak_v of_o the_o glorious_a honour_n of_o thy_o majesty_n and_o of_o thy_o wondrous_a work_n 1._o god_n be_v good_a to_o they_o in_o give_v forth_o this_o incomparable_a rich_a and_o rare_a monument_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o john_n the_o divine_a the_o principal_a scope_n and_o intendment_n whereof_o be_v 1._o to_o forewarn_v they_o of_o the_o near_a approach_n of_o suffer_a time_n that_o so_o they_o may_v not_o be_v surprise_v but_o in_o a_o readiness_n to_o encounter_v therewith_o 2._o that_o they_o may_v know_v what_o their_o suffering_n will_v be_v by_o who_o and_o of_o what_o continuance_n 3._o that_o they_o shall_v be_v comfort_v and_o encourage_v under_o all_o especial_o upon_o this_o twofold_a consideration_n 1._o there_o be_v no_o suffering_n shall_v befall_v you_o but_o according_a to_o the_o predetermination_n and_o fore-appointment_n of_o a_o wise_a god_n and_o love_a father_n 2._o let_v the_o church_n trouble_v be_v what_o they_o will_v they_o shall_v have_v a_o glorious_a and_o a_o assure_a issue_n see_v this_o be_v the_o good_a end_n of_o
not_o too_o mean_v a_o employment_n for_o they_o to_o bring_v this_o message_n to_o the_o shepherd_n luk._n 2.8_o 9_o 10._o fear_v not_o for_z behold_v i_o bring_v you_o good_a tiding_n of_o great_a joy_n which_o shall_v be_v to_o all_o people_n for_o unto_o you_o be_v bear_v this_o day_n in_o the_o city_n of_o david_n a_o saviour_n which_o be_v christ_n the_o lord_n verse_n 13.14_o and_o sudden_o there_o be_v with_o the_o angel_n a_o multitude_n of_o the_o heavenly_a host_n praise_v god_n and_o say_v glory_n to_o god_n in_o the_o high_a and_o on_o earth_n peace_n good_a will_n towards_o man_n and_o that_o good_a old_a man_n simeon_n verse_n 28_o 29._o when_o he_o have_v see_v the_o child_n jesus_n he_o take_v he_o up_o in_o be_v arm_n and_o bless_a god_n say_v now_o let_v thou_o thy_o servant_n depart_v in_o peace_n according_a to_o thy_o word_n for_o my_o eye_n have_v see_v thy_o salvation_n a_o light_n to_o lighten_v the_o gentile_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o people_n israel_n christ_n himself_o be_v come_v they_o may_v now_o know_v that_o god_n be_v a_o great_a lover_n of_o mankind_n now_o they_o have_v a_o ample_a proof_n of_o his_o faithfulness_n in_o make_v good_a what_o he_o have_v long_o before_o promise_v now_o they_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o shadow_n will_v flee_v away_o the_o substance_n be_v come_v now_o they_o may_v be_v assure_v of_o the_o downfall_n of_o the_o devil_n kingdom_n witness_v the_o silence_v the_o oracle_n of_o jupiter_n apollo_n and_o hecate_n as_o also_o the_o lock_v up_o the_o temple_n of_o janus_n 3._o god_n goodness_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v in_o furnish_v they_o with_o pastor_n according_a to_o his_o own_o heart_n the_o greatness_n of_o which_o mercy_n may_v appear_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o circumstance_n 1._o the_o number_n of_o primitive_a church-officer_n be_v perfect_a and_o complete_a for_o species_n and_o kind_a there_o be_v none_o want_v which_o her_o condition_n do_v then_o call_v for_o of_o extraordinary_a officer_n there_o be_v twelve_o apostle_n act_n 1.1_o seventy_o evangelist_n particular_a church_n have_v their_o ordinary_a officer_n to_o wit_n bishop_n i._n e._n pastor_n and_o teacher_n to_o who_o the_o administration_n of_o ordinance_n and_o oversight_n of_o the_o flock_n be_v commit_v presbyter_n or_o elder_n who_o be_v to_o look_v to_o the_o people_n manner_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 5._o and_o deacon_n who_o be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a act_v 6._o begin_v 2._o there_o be_v then_o a_o parity_n and_o equality_n of_o all_o officer_n in_o their_o kind_n among_o the_o apostle_n none_o claim_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o rest_n peter_n supremacy_n be_v then_o unknown_a as_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v give_v to_o he_o matth._n 16.19_o so_o also_o to_o the_o rest_n joh._n 20.23_o the_o very_a affectation_n of_o pre-eminence_n be_v in_o those_o day_n distasteful_a to_o christ_n matth._n 18.1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o and_o 20.25_o 26_o jesus_n call_v they_o unto_o he_o and_o say_v you_o know_v that_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o gentile_n exercise_v dominion_n over_o they_o but_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o among_o you_o but_o whosoever_o will_v be_v great_a among_o you_o let_v he_o be_v your_o minister_n and_o whosoever_o will_v be_v chief_a among_o you_o let_v he_o be_v you_o servant_n even_o as_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v not_o to_o be_v minister_v unto_o but_o to_o minister_v and_o as_o it_o be_v distasteful_a to_o christ_n so_o also_o to_o themselves_o matth._n 20.21_o 22_o 23_o 24._o when_o the_o ten_o hear_v what_o the_o mother_n of_o zebedee_n child_n have_v ask_v for_o she_o two_o son_n they_o be_v move_v with_o indignation_n against_o they_o and_o as_o one_o apostle_n be_v not_o over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o there_o be_v a_o parity_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n i._n e._n ordinary_a preach_v and_o rule_v officer_n or_o elder_n they_o be_v not_o two_o distinct_a office_n nor_o officer_n as_o may_v appear_v from_o act._n 20.17_o with_o 28._o who_o he_o have_v call_v presbyter_n v._n 17._o he_o call_v bishop_n v._n 28._o 2._o from_o philip._n 1.1_o he_o direct_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n philippi_n be_v but_o a_o city_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o there_o be_v metropolitan_a of_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o it_o therefore_o the_o bishop_n there_o speak_v of_o be_v only_o ordinary_a church_n officer_n this_o be_v the_o observation_n of_o chrysostome_n on_o the_o text._n 3_o from_o tit._n 1.5_o with_o 7._o for_o this_o cause_n leave_v i_o thou_o in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v presbyter_n for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a this_o for_o must_v either_o be_v a_o reason_n of_o what_o be_v in_o the_o precede_a verse_n or_o it_o signify_v nothing_o the_o qualification_n require_v in_o both_o be_v the_o same_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o distinct_a officer_n 4._o from_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o 2._o the_o apostle_n exhort_v the_o presbyter_n to_o watch_v over_o their_o flock_n v._n 5._o take_v the_o oversight_n of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishoping_a it_o over_o they_o the_o work_n of_o both_o be_v the_o same_o and_o therefore_o the_o office_n be_v the_o same_o 5._o from_o ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o where_o all_o sort_n of_o officer_n both_o extraordinary_a and_o ordinary_a be_v reckon_v and_o if_o lord_n prelate_n be_v neither_o apostle_n evangelist_n prophet_n pastor_n nor_o techer_n they_o be_v none_o of_o christ_n creature_n but_o of_o humane_a institution_n 6._o from_o 1_o tim._n 3.1_o to_o v._o 8_o begin_v where_o the_o apostle_n give_v rule_n for_o the_o examination_n and_o ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o then_o immediate_o he_o pass_v to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o deacon_n without_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o presbyter_n as_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o the_o rule_n for_o examination_n and_o ordination_n of_o both_o be_v the_o same_o and_o thus_o you_o see_v god_n be_v good_a to_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o give_v she_o such_o officer_n as_o do_v neither_o lord_n it_o over_o one_o another_o nor_o over_o the_o lord_n heritage_n a_o three_o circumstance_n of_o this_o mercy_n be_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o apostolical_a commission_n matth._n 28._o go_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o the_o world_n whereas_o former_o it_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o land_n of_o judea_n such_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n now_o that_o he_o be_v not_o will_v any_o shall_v perish_v but_o all_o shall_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n see_v act._n 10.28_o 34_o 35._o mark_v 16.15_o luke_n 24.47_o act._n 1.8_o and_o 20.21_o rom._n 1.4_o 5._o 4._o he_o do_v furnish_v the_o apostle_n with_o variety_n of_o eminent_a gift_n and_o grace_n suitable_a to_o their_o work_n they_o have_v such_o a_o gift_n of_o preach_v that_o they_o need_v not_o read_v or_o study_n but_o they_o speak_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n gal._n 1.11_o 12._o eph._n 3.3_o at_o one_o of_o their_o sermon_n three_o thousand_o be_v convert_v act._n 2.41_o at_o another_o five_o thousand_o act._n 4.4_o they_o have_v a_o spirit_n of_o prayer_n they_o need_v not_o a_o book_n to_o read_v a_o prayer_n by_o a_o set_a form_n they_o have_v the_o gist_n of_o work_a miracle_n matth._n 10.8_o by_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n they_o can_v confer_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o other_o act._n 8.17_o and_o 10.44_o and_o 19.6_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o concern_v the_o salvation_n of_o sinner_n and_o the_o church_n edification_n they_o be_v act_v by_o a_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n joh._n 16.13_o they_o can_v inflict_v corporal_a punishment_n upon_o notorious_a hypocrite_n and_o blasphemer_n act._n 5.9_o 10._o and_o 13.11_o 2_o cor._n 10.6_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n whereby_o they_o can_v foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v rom._n 11.5_o 26._o 2_o thess_n 2.2_o 1_o tim._n 4.1_o 2_o tim._n 3.1_o joh._n 16.13_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v prophetical_a 4._o consider_v the_o church_n itself_o and_o god_n goodness_n be_v great_a to_o they_o in_o these_o respect_n 1._o of_o ordinance_n 2._o order_n and_o government_n 3._o of_o the_o purity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o those_o day_n 4._o of_o their_o gift_n 5._o their_o grace_n 6._o perseverance_n 7._o suffering_n one_a they_o have_v no_o ordinance_n but_o what_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n these_o also_o be_v divine_o administer_v and_o a_o glorious_a presence_n of_o god_n be_v that_o that_o do_v high_o beautify_v all_o their_o administration_n act._n 4.31_o
princeps_fw-la optimus_fw-la insomuch_o that_o it_o afterward_o become_v proverbial_a in_o congratulate_v new_a emperor_n with_o this_o salutation_n foelicior_fw-la augusto_fw-la melior_fw-la trajano_n so_o also_o under_o antoninus_n pius_fw-la and_o severus_n morality_n without_o grace_n be_v sometime_o a_o great_a enemy_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n than_o open_a atheism_n and_o profaneness_n however_o let_v the_o person_n and_o instrument_n under_o who_o they_o have_v respite_n be_v what_o they_o will_v all_o be_v still_o to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n who_o do_v accomplish_v and_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v by_o such_o wonderful_a mean_n some_o whereof_z be_v these_o 1._o antoninus_n pius_n be_v take_v off_o from_o persecute_v they_o by_o that_o extraordinary_a act_n of_o providence_n in_o hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o a_o legion_n of_o soldier_n that_o be_v christian_n whereby_o his_o whole_a army_n in_o a_o great_a strait_n for_o rain_n be_v abundant_o refresh_v and_o his_o enemy_n miraculous_o defeat_v god_n from_o heaven_n fight_v with_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n against_o they_o for_o which_o that_o legion_n be_v call_v legio_n fulminatrix_fw-la the_o thunder_a legion_n this_o wrought_v so_o upon_o the_o emperor_n that_o present_o he_o command_v the_o christian_n shall_v neither_o be_v seek_v for_o nor_o punish_v if_o present_v but_o that_o their_o accuser_n shall_v be_v punish_v for_o say_v he_o my_o own_o safety_n and_o the_o safety_n of_o my_o empire_n depend_v upon_o their_o prayer_n 2._o aurelianus_n have_v issue_v forth_o a_o edict_n against_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o terrify_v with_o thunder_n that_o he_o recall_v it_o 3._o alexander_n severus_n be_v persuade_v by_o his_o mother_n mammea_n to_o show_v they_o favour_n she_o hear_v of_o the_o learning_n of_o origin_n send_v for_o he_o and_o be_v instruct_v by_o he_o 4._o hadrian_n persecution_n be_v something_o mitigate_v by_o the_o apology_n which_o be_v present_v to_o he_o by_o aristides_n and_o quadratus_n 5._o antoninus_n pius_n be_v make_v to_o relent_v by_o justin_n martyr_n apologetic_n 6._o under_o trajan_n the_o persecution_n be_v stay_v by_o plinius_n secundus_fw-la who_o write_v to_o the_o emperor_n concern_v their_o innocence_n that_o they_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o the_o crime_n charge_v upon_o they_o in_o regard_n the_o law_n of_o their_o god_n be_v very_o strict_a against_o such_o sin_n and_o that_o they_o use_v to_o meet_v before_o day_n to_o sing_v psalm_n and_o to_o worship_n one_o call_v jesus_n 5._o god_n goodness_n to_o they_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o remarkable_a judgement_n which_o he_o bring_v upon_o most_o if_o not_o all_o of_o their_o great_a persecutor_n i_o will_v give_v you_o a_o summary_n survey_v of_o the_o tragical_a end_n of_o all_o of_o they_o throughout_o the_o ten_o persecution_n the_o first_o be_v under_o nero_n anno_fw-la 67._o who_o be_v hate_v of_o man_n and_o pursue_v by_o the_o senate_n of_o rome_n kill_v himself_o second_o under_o domitian_n anno_fw-la 90._o his_o wife_n and_o friend_n find_v a_o roll_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n which_o he_o have_v mark_v out_o for_o suffering_n and_o their_o own_o among_o the_o rest_n they_o kill_v he_o three_o under_o trajan_n anno._n 100_o who_o be_v all_o his_o life_n time_n vex_v with_o great_a trouble_n and_o commotion_n and_o at_o last_o cut_v off_o by_o a_o strange_a disease_n four_o under_o hadrian_n and_o antoninus_n pius_n anno_fw-la 126._o hadrian_n die_v in_o great_a horror_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v he_o that_o cry_v out_o o_o animula_fw-la vagula_fw-la blandula_fw-la pius_n die_v of_o a_o fever_n in_o three_o day_n after_o he_o sicken_v five_o under_o antoninus_n philosophus_fw-la and_o verus_fw-la i_o find_v nothing_o record_v of_o their_o death_n but_o antoninus_n know_v much_o trouble_n in_o his_o life-time_n from_o the_o german_n samaritan_n avidius_n cassius_n and_o other_o six_o under_o severus_n anno_fw-la 208._o he_o be_v slay_v at_o york_n by_o the_o northern_a man_n and_o scot_n and_o in_o his_o time_n a_o certain_a judge_n that_o pronounce_v sentence_n against_o agapetus_n a_o holy_a martyr_n fall_v from_o the_o bench_n and_o die_v sudden_o seven_o under_o maximinus_n anno_fw-la 236._o he_o be_v kill_v by_o his_o own_o son_n and_z soldiers_z in_o his_o tent_n at_o the_o siege_n of_o aquileia_n eight_o under_o decius_n anno_fw-la 251._o be_v overcome_v by_o the_o scythian_n or_o goth_n he_o throw_v himself_o into_o a_o pit_n where_o he_o end_v his_o life_n and_o his_o body_n can_v never_o be_v find_v nine_o under_o gallus_n and_o volusianus_n anno_fw-la 258._o a_o sad_a pestilence_n in_o his_o time_n be_v slay_v by_o aemilianus_n one_o of_o his_o own_o captain_n together_o with_o his_o son_n valerianus_n be_v overcome_v by_o the_o persian_n sopor_fw-la tread_v upon_o he_o while_o he_o take_v horse_n the_o last_o be_v under_o dioclesian_n and_o maximinian_n anno_fw-la 300._o both_o of_o they_o in_o one_o day_n divest_v themselves_o of_o the_o imperial_a dignity_n and_o choose_v to_o live_v in_o den_n and_o cave_n dioclesian_n afterward_o poison_v himself_o rather_o than_o he_o will_v see_v constantine_n and_o maximinianus_fw-la hang_v himself_o 6._o god_n be_v good_a in_o give_v they_o a_o glorious_a deliverance_n from_o this_o their_o persecute_a state_n and_o that_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o constantine_n where_o these_o passage_n of_o providence_n be_v remarkable_a 1._o he_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o immediate_a call_n from_o heaven_n both_o to_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o also_o to_o go_v against_o that_o persecute_v tyrant_n maxentius_n witness_v the_o voice_n which_o he_o hear_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o christ_n thou_o shall_v overcome_v eusebius_n that_o live_v in_o his_o time_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o hear_v himself_o relate_v this_o confirm_v it_o with_o a_o oath_n 2._o god_n preserve_v he_o for_o this_o service_n from_o the_o treacherous_a design_n of_o his_o father_n in_o law_n maximinianus_fw-la his_o wife_n have_v discover_v it_o to_o he_o 3._o maxentius_n have_v make_v a_o device_n to_o drown_v he_o and_o his_o man_n when_o he_o pass_v over_o a_o bridge_n by_o which_o maxentius_n himself_o be_v afterward_o drown_v and_o he_o escape_v for_o which_o the_o christian_n sing_v psal_n 9.16_o and_o 7.15_o 4._o having_n give_v himself_o to_o fast_v and_o prayer_n he_o obtain_v victory_n over_o maximinus_n and_o licinius_n and_o though_o licinius_n have_v once_o great_o reproach_v christ_n and_o christianity_n yet_o be_v bring_v to_o condign_a punishment_n he_o be_v make_v to_o confess_v that_o great_a be_v the_o christian_n god_n and_o great_a be_v constantine_n god_n let_v we_o make_v some_o application_n of_o the_o premise_n in_o these_o few_o particular_n 1._o this_o call_v upon_o we_o high_o to_o esteem_v of_o the_o glorious_a truth_n of_o christ_n in_o regard_n they_o have_v be_v seal_v and_o witness_v to_o with_o the_o blood_n of_o so_o many_o million_o of_o martyr_n o_o how_o wonderful_a be_v the_o way_n of_o god_n that_o will_v take_v such_o a_o course_n to_o commend_v the_o gospel_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o we_o who_o know_v but_o they_o of_o that_o age_n suffer_v that_o we_o and_o other_o may_v at_o least_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n be_v excuse_v 2._o though_o they_o excuse_v we_o so_o far_o that_o the_o church_n be_v never_o like_a to_o be_v in_o a_o persecute_a state_n for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o age_n in_o which_o this_o or_o other_o particular_a person_n can_v promise_v a_o exemption_n from_o persecution_n to_o himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o sound_v a_o alarm_n to_o we_o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o great_a peace_n and_o prosperity_n to_o prepare_v for_o persecution_n lay_v in_o a_o stock_n of_o suffer_a grace_n before_o that_o so_o it_o may_v never_o surprise_v you_o unaware_o but_o come_v when_o it_o will_v you_o may_v be_v ready_a for_o it_o take_v special_a notice_n of_o these_o three_o thing_n 1._o persecution_n have_v be_v in_o all_o age_n a_o inseparable_a concomitant_a of_o the_o plain_a and_o faithful_a preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n matth._n 10.34_o 35._o 2._o it_o be_v never_o better_o with_o the_o church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n than_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n there_o be_v never_o a_o more_o glorious_a lustre_n and_o beauty_n upon_o ordinance_n minister_n never_o more_o lively_a and_o spiritual_a the_o conversation_n of_o christian_n never_o more_o in_o heaven_n and_o the_o number_n of_o convert_v never_o more_o increase_v 3._o be_v confirm_v in_o this_o that_o the_o speciality_n of_o god_n love_n in_o christ_n to_o his_o people_n may_v very_o well_o stand_v with_o their_o be_v in_o a_o persecute_a condition_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v always_o say_v true_o god_n be_v good_a to_o israel_n 3._o in_o all_o your_o suffering_n set_v the_o martyr_n of_o