The sufferings of Christ, as so many Examples to teach us to suffer. [ 2001]
IT is said of Antiochus, that being to fight with Iudar,* 1.1 Captain of the host of the Iews, he shewed unto his Elephants, the bloud of the grapes and Mul∣berries, to provoke them the bette•• to fight. And so the Holy Ghost hath set down unto us, what injuries, contumelies, and torments our Saviour Christ hath born, and how patiently he did bear them, to encourage us to endure whatsoever calamities shall betide us, during this our pilgrimage here on Earth; It is well known, that he came into the World without sin, but he went not out without sorrow; And therefore, What if we suffer reproaches, poverty,* 1.2 shame, death? What matter of shame can it be to us, seeing Christ hath suf∣fered all for us? Nay, What a shame is it,* 1.3 if we will not be ready to su••••er any thing for his Names sake, that hath suffered so much for our Sins, that leaving us so fair an Example, we should not follow his steps.