CHAP. IX.

OF PERSECUTION.

All that will live godly, must suffer persecution; there fore strengthen thyself with these promises.

If thou art railed upon for well-doing.

"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of God, and of glo ry, resteth upon you.a

"Blessed are ye when men revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."b

If thou art persecuted any other ways even unto death.

"He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.d

When ye lose any earthly blessing for God's

a 1 Pet. iv. 14. b Matt. v. 11, 12. c Matt. x. 39. d Matt. 7.10.

cause, apply, "Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life," a

This is the greatest (and yet lawful) usury of all others, to part with one outward blessing, and to receive a hundred for it; to lose a miserable life, and to enjoy eternal life; to suffer a short time, and to have a great reward in heaven; to be disgraced, and to have the spirit of glory rest upon us. Therefore when thou art railed upon, apply, "Blessed am I; the Spirit of glory rests upon me, therefore they cannot make me vile." Art thou any way persecuted? Apply, "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven; great is your reward in heaven."

Take they thy life? Apply, "He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it." Take they away any earthly blessing? "Thou shalt receive an hundred fold at this present." Therefore if usurers gladly let out their money, that hope to receive but eight in the hundred; be ashamed of thyself, that thou shouldest not give one for a hundred, when thou hast the promise of him that never failed to perform.

a Matt. xix. 29.

In partaking with God's people in suffering, that thou mayest be partaker of their comforts.

"As you are partakers of the sufferings; so shall ye be also of the consolation."a

When thou art called forth to defend the truth.

"When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.b

"I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist.c Whosoever confesseth me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven."

When thou fearest thou shalt not be able to speak in defence of the truth, apply, "It shall be given thee," though thou hast it not before, "in that hour what thou shalt say."

If thou fearest the learning of thy adversaries, and thine own simpleness, apply, "I will give thee not only a mouth, but also wisdom, whereagainst they shall not be able to speak." If thou want courage, embolden thyself with this,Christ will confess thee before his Father.

a 2 Cor. i. 7. b Matt. x. 19. c Luke xxi. 15 d Matt. x. 32.

If thou wouldest bring forth seasonable fruit for ` every estate, and for every duty.

"Thou shalt be as a tree that bringeth forth his fruit in season. He shall bring forth fruit according to his months."b

If thou art to speak, or pray, or do any duty, that thou mayest do it seasonably, and have fitting words and thoughts, apply, “Thou shalt bring forth fruit in season." So in every estate, prosperity or adversity, that thou mayest bring forth the fruits of it, apply, "They shall bring forth fruit in season, according to their months."

CHAP. X.

PROMISES

CONCERNING EARTHLY THINGS.

As children are the most excellent, I will begin with them,

If thou hast children.

"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the just shall be blessed.

"I will establish my covenant between me

a Psalm i. 3. b Ezek. xlvii. 12. c Psalm cxii. 2.

and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.a

"I will pour out my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses."b

If thou desirest grace and God's blessing for thy children, apply, "I will pour out my Spirit and blessing upon thy seed."

If thou wouldest have them grow up in it, ap ply, "They shall grow as among the grass, and as the willows by the water-courses."

If thou wouldest have them in covenant with thyself, thy God to be theirs, apply, "I will make an everlasting covenant with thee, to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after after thee." Desirest thou outward things for them? Apply, "His seed shall be mighty upon earth."

If thou wouldest have a comfortable and holy use of thy habitation.

"Thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and not sin.c

"There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

The ta

a Gen. xvii. 7. b Isa. xliv. 3, 4. c Job v. 24. d Psalm xci. 10.