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Dearly beloved, be not troubled with this heat that is now come among you, to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you, but rejoyce, insomuch as you are partakers of Christs Suf∣ferings,
that when his glory appeareth, you may be glad; if ye be railed on for the Name of Christ, happy are you, for the Spirit of Glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
It is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well-doing, then for evil-doing, 1 Pet. 3.
So 1 Pet. 4. See that none of you suffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or an Evil-door, or as a Busie-body, in other mens matters; but if any man suffer as a Christian-man, let him not be asham'd, but let him glorifie God in this behalf; for the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God: If it first begin at us, what shall the end of them be that believe not the Gospel of God? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God, commit their Souls to him in well-doing.
St. Paul saith, 2 Tim. 3. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution.
St. John saith, 1 John 2. See that ye love not the World, neither the things that are in the World; if any man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him: For all that is in the World, as the lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World, which vanisheth away and the Lust there∣of; but he that fulfileth the Will of God abideth forever
St. Paul saith, Collos. 3. If ye be risen again with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God: Set your affection on things that are above, and not on things which are on Earth.
Our Saviour Christ saith, Math. 18. Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, that believe in me, it were better for him that a Milstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the Sea.
The Prophet David saith, Psal. 84. Great are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all; fear the Lord ye his Saints; for they that fear him lack nothing.
When the Righteous cry, the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles; but misfortune shall slay the ungodly, and they that hate the Righteous shall perish.
Hear, Oh my People, I assure thee, Oh Israel, if thou wilt heark∣en unto me, there shall so strange God be in thee, neither shalt thou Worship any other God: Oh that my People would obey me; for if Israel would walk in my wayes, I would soon put down their Ene∣mies, and turn my hand against their Adversaries.
Our Saviour Christ saith, The Disciple is not above his Master, nor yet the Servant above his Lord; it is enough for the Disciple to be as his Master is, and that the Servant be as his Lord is, if they have cal∣led the Master of the House Belzebub, how much more shall they call them of his Houshold so; fear not them therefore.
St. Paul saith, 2 Cor. 4. Set your selves therefore at large, and bear not a strangers Yoke with the Unbelievers, for what fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness? What Company hath Light
and Darkness? Either what part hath the Believer with the Infidell, &c? Wherefore come out from among them, and seperate your selves now, (saith the Lord) and touch no unclean thing; so will I receive you, and I will be a Father unto you; and you shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
For neither Eye hath seen, nor the Ear hath heard, neither can it enter into the heart of man, what good things the Lord hath pre∣pared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.
Ye are brought neither with Silver nor Gold, but with the preti∣ous Blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 1.
There is none other Name given to men wherein we must be sa∣ved, Acts 4.
So fare ye well Wife and Children, and leave worldly care, and see that ye be dilligent to pray.
Take no thought (saith Christ, Mat. 6.) saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed (for after all these things seek the Gentiles) for your heavenly Father know∣eth that ye have need of these things; but seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be ministred unto you.