2dly, That such who are so exercised, are blessed, and happy, and so pro∣nounced in Scripture: a seal of their sonship, and Gods choice love to them, and of their salvation.
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; &c. for he maketh sore, and bindeth up, &c. Job 5. 17, 18.
Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth, O Lord, and teachest, &c. Psal. 94. 12.
Whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth: even as a father the son, in whom he delighteth, Prov. 3. 12.
He who spareth his rod, hateth his son: but he who loveth him, chasteneth him, Prov. 13. 24.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they, &c. Blessed are they who are persecu∣ted for righteousness sake, &c. blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and per∣secute, and say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake: rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, Matth. 5. 4, 10, 11, 12.
Blessed are ye who hunger now, &c. who weep now, &c. But wo unto them who are rich, &c. who are full, &c. who laugh now, &c. when all men speak well of you, Luke 6. 21, 22, 24, 25, 26.
In nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition: but to you of salvation, and that of God; for unto you it is given, &c. not only to believe on him; but also to suffer for his sake, Phil. 1. 28, 29.
If ye be without chastisements, &c. then are ye bastards, and not sons, Heb. 12. 8.
Blessed is the man who endureth tentations: for when he is tryed, &c. James 1. 12.
We count them happy who endure, &c. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, James 5. 10, 11.
If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid, 1 Pet. 3. 14.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: for the, &c. 1 Pet. 4. 14.