that we may fully rejoice in the goodness of God; for it hath pleased him to lighten us with the brightness of his gospel, and to draw us into his heavenly kingdom.

SERMON II.

-2 TIMOTHY, Chap. i. verses 8 and 9.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

ALTHOUGH God shows his glory and majesty in the gospel, yet the unthankfulness of men is such, that we have need to be exhorted, not to be ashamed of this gospel. And why so? because God requires all creatures to do him homage: yet the greater part rebel against him; despise, yea, and are at defiance with the doctrine whereby he would be known and worshipped. Although men are so wicked as to lift up themselves against their maker, let us, notwithstanding, remember that which is taught us in this place; to wit, that we be not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the witness of God.

when we see all and remain steadSt. Paul here setnot that he wished

If the gospel be not preached, Jesus Christ is, as it were, buried. Therefore, let us stand as witnesses, and do him this honour, the world so far out of the way; fast in this wholesome doctrine. teth his own person before us: particularly to be approved, but because we often get in difficulty, if we separate ourselves from the servants of God. When there is a minister of the word of God troubled, molested, and per

secuted, we are apt to forsake him in time of need, thinking it is but mortal man: but in doing this, we offend God; because this man that suffereth, beareth the mark of the gospel: thus the cause of God is betrayed. Therefore, St. Paul saith to Timothy, be not ashamed of me.

The mind of Timothy might have been shaken; therefore, St. Paul saith to him, though the world despise me, though they mock and hate me, yet must thou not be moved by these things; for I am the prisoner of Jesus Christ. Let the world speak evil of me; it is not for my offences: God alloweth my cause; for indeed it is his. I suffer not for mine own evil doings, having his truth always on my side. Therefore, the cause of my persecution is, because I have maintained the word of God, and continue to maintain it. Thou shouldst not be guided by the world's judgement, for men are carried away with evil affections. Let it be sufficient for thee then, that I am as it were a pledge for the Son of God; that he magnifieth my person; that if it be reproachful to the world, it ceases not to be honoured before God, and his holy angels.

Let us not deceive Jesus Christ in the testimony we owe him, by stopping our mouths, when it is needful to maintain his honour, and the authority of his gospel. Yea, and when we see our brethren afflicted for the cause of God, let us join with them, and assist them in their affliction. Let us not be shaken by the tempests that arise, but let us always remain constant in our purpose; and stand as witnesses for the Son of God, seeing he is so gracious as to use us in such a good cause. Let us mark well, whether men suffer for their sins, or for the truth of God. When we see one oppressed, we must not despise him, lest we do injury to God: we must ascertain for what cause men suffer. If they have walked in a good conscience, and are blamed,

if they are tormented because they serve God, this is enough to remove whatever the wicked world can say against them. Therefore St. Paul adds, "Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel."

There is no man but what would willingly escape affliction; this is according to human nature; and although we confess, without dissembling, that it is a singular grace which God bestows, when he enables men to bear affliction, and maintain his cause, yet there is not one of us, but what would willingly draw his neck out of persecution. For we look not at the lesson given by St. Paul, which saith, the gospel bringeth troubles. Jesus Christ was crucified in his own person, and his doctrine is joined with many miseries. He could, if it pleased him, cause his doctrine to be received without any gainsaying. But the scripture must be fulfilled: "he will rule in the midst of his enemies." Psalm cx.

We must come to him upon this condition; to be willing to suffer many bickerings; because the wicked lift up themselves against God, when he calleth them to him. Therefore, it is impossible for us to have the gospel without affliction. We must be exercised; we must fight under our Lord Jesus Christ. Doth he not then renounce his salvation, that would get rid of the cross of Christ? What is the hope of life, only in this, that we are bought by the sacrifice of the Son of God? Then will he have us made like unto him, and have us transformed into his image.

We must not be ashamed of our brethren; when we hear evil reports of them, and see them cast off by the world, let us always be with them, and endeavour to strengthen them; for the gospel cannot be without affliction; as I have already said. pleaseth God, that men should be so divided. But he calleth all to the unity of faith; and the doctrine of the gospel is the message of atonement; but yet

the faithful are drawn by the virtue of his Holy Spirit; (as we shall notice more particularly hereafter;) but the unbelievers remain in their hardness: thus the fire kindleth; as when thunder engendereth in the air, there must needs be trouble; so it is when the gospel is preached.

Now, if the gospel bring affliction, and it be the mind of Jesus Christ, that what he suffered in his person, shall be fulfilled in his members, and be daily crucified, is it lawful for us to withdraw ourselves from that situation? Seeing it is so, that all hope of salvation is in the gospel, we must rest thereon; and mark what St. Paul saith; to wit, we must assist our brethren when we see them in trouble, and when they are reviled by the wicked; and choose rather to be their companions, and suffer the rebukes and scoffs of the world, than to be otherwise honoured with a good reputation, having our faces turned from them that suffer for that cause, which is ours, as well as theirs.

We are apt to be weak, and think we shall be swallowed up by persecutions, as soon as our enemies assail us but St. Paul observes, we shall not be destitute of the aid and succour of our God. He armeth us forthwith, and giveth us an invincible power, that we may remain sure and steadfast. For this reason St. Paul adds, "according to the power of God." But as we have said, every man would be glad to have some cover or cloak, whereby he might withdraw himself from persecution. If God would give me grace, I would gladly suffer for his name ; know it is the greatest blessing that I could receive.

Every man will confess this; but they add, we are weak, and shall quickly be beaten down by the cruelty of our enemies. But St. Paul taketh away this excuse, by saying, God will strengthen us, and that we must not look to our own strength. For it is certain, if we never come into conflicts with our

enemies, we shall be afraid of our own shadows. Seeing we know this weakness, let us come to the remedy. We must consider how hard it is to withstand our enemies; therefore let us humble ourselves before God, and pray him to extend his hand, and uphold us in all our afflictions. If this doctrine were well imprinted in our hearts, we should be better prepared to suffer than we are.

But we are apt to forget it; yea, we stop our ears, and close our eyes, when we hear it spoken of. We pretend that we wish God to strengthen us, but we cannot bring our sight to the power that St. Paul speaks of; we are apt to think, that we have nothing to do with it; although the Lord hath shown us, that his power shall always uphold us. Therefore, let not our weakness cause us to withdraw ourselves from the cross, and from persecution; seeing God hath received us into his hands, and promised to supply our wants. St. Paul here addeth a lesson to make us greatly ashamed, if we be not enticed to glorify Jesus Christ by suffering persecution; he saith, "God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling."

Behold! God hath drawn us out of the gulf of hell! We were utterly cast away and condemned: but he hath brought us salvation, and hath called us to be partakers of it. Therefore, seeing God hath showed himself so liberal, if we on our parts turn our backs to him, is not this a shameful malice? Let us mark well the accusation of St. Paul against those that are inconstant; those that are unwilling to suffer the assaults made against them for the sake of the gospel. Undoubtedly his mind was to comfort the faithful, for the time to come; he therefore showeth what God hath done for them already.

When God giveth us any token of his goodness, at is to the end we should hope for the like at his hands again; and wait till he bring to pass what he