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THat for the happinesse in suffering, now to the joy required in that happi∣nesse; Rejoyce and bee exceeding glad. Rejoyce, bee not onely patient as in that which hurts not, but joyfull, and thankfull as for a beneficiall favour. Bee exceeding glad, as of an extraordinarie further••nce,
and preferment in CHRIST. Count it all joy when yee fall into many temptations, Iam. 1.2. For there is no one without a beape of graces and mercies in it, therefore esteeme variety of sufferings a subject deserving not some measure, but the whole affect and faculty of joy.
St. BASIL rehearsing that (Hebr. 11.36, 37, 38) they were scourged, bound, imprison'd, ston'd, sawne a sunder, tempted, slaine, addes a these are the braveries of Saints, blessed is he that is held wor∣thy of sufferings for CHRIST, more blessed he that abounds in such sufferings. Martyrs joyed in a sen∣tence of condemnation, as offendours in 2 sen∣tence of absolution. 2. Cor. 15.31. The Apo∣stles joy in dayly subjection to death, and other passions, and continuall expectance, and preparation for them, was so great, cleere, and undoubted, that he sweares by it, by our reioy∣cing in Christ Iesus I die dayly.
The holy Abbot IOHANNICIUSb not onely rejoyced, being reproched and persecuted for Christ, but also wished that he might suffer more, well know∣ing that thereby he should reape more fruit. 2. Cor. 12.10. I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproch, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for CHRISTS sake. Which PAUL did as purely loving him∣selfe in God, and therefore most pleased with what profited most to his purgation, proficien∣cie, perfection. And this may wee take for a proofe of our spiritualitie, if tribulation bee sa∣vourie to us, and we finde upon earth a paradise i•• passion. 2. Cor. 1.5. As the sufferings of Christ
abound in us, so our consolation abounds by Christ. Aegidius Minorita askes,c what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cause that we take afflictions heavily, and answeres, we doe not heartily covet spirituall consolations.
It is meere carnalitie to aspire after an excep∣tion from the crosse, and to be alwayes treading upon roses, to wish this beatitude to any, rather then our selves and ours. Faith moves in its own orbe, when it renders exceeding glad, notwith∣standing the heavines through manifold tempta∣tions. 1. Pet. 1 6. Thus St. VALERIAN,d it is the exercise of perfect faith to give way to gainfull penalties. At any rate to take up where wee are strangers those disgraces, which in our Country will passe for the highest dignities. That ARNO∣BIUS IUNIOR repeating these words, who ••••••••n say all manner of evill of you falsely for my sake, re∣joyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, might for cause presse them in this sort,e if yee be right in Faith, seeke not the praises of men upon earth, when ye shall have the applause of Angels in heaven. And this hath brought us to the cause, why we should bee joyfully glad in the happinesse of suffering, for great is your reward in heaven, they purchase a great degree in glory.
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Thus the Primitive Christians were af∣fected. Act. 16.25. Magis damnati quèm absoluti gau••••us. Tertul, ad Scapulam.
Non solum la••••ba∣tur probris pro Chri∣sto affect•••• sed etiam ••••plebat majora p••ti. re•••••• scient quia per ••a majora cause quere∣tur. Evit•• ej•••• c. 49. Nov. 4.
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In Ʋita ejus. c. 40. Quid causae est, quod•• aegrè forimus affli∣ctiones? Non concu∣piscimus medullitus spiritales consolatto ••es.
Hom. 16. Perfectae fidei est, lucrativis locum dare suppliciis.
Si recti estis fide, nolite quaerare laudes hominum in terris, quia habehitis Ange∣lorum in coelis. In Ps.