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and whofoever will lofe his life for my fake, fhall find it.

If we fuffer, we shall alfo reign with him; 2 Tim. if we deny him, he alfo will deny us.

2. 12.

14. 26.

If any man come to me, and hate not his Luke father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren and fifters, yea, and his own life alfo, he cannot be my disciple.

And he faid to them all, If any man will Ch. 9. come after me, let him deny himself, and 23, 24. take up his crofs daily and follow me. For whosoever will fave his life fhall lose it; but whofoever will lofe his life for my fake, the fame fhall fave it.

And when he had called the people unto Mark 8. him, with his difciples alfo, he faid unto 34, 35, them, Whofoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whofoever will fave his life, fhall lofe it; but whofoever shall lofe his life for my fake and the gofpels, the fame fhall fave it.

Q. There is nothing more certain, according to these scriptures, than that Chriftians muft fuffer perfecution in this world, even in their perfons and estates; but shall they not alfo Juffer in their good names, in being accounted blafphemers, hereticks, and deceivers?

A. The difciple is not above his mafter, Mat. 1o. nor the fervant above his Lord. It is 24, 25enough for the difciple, that he be as his

Master,

Mat. 5.

II.

Acts 6.
II, 12.

Acts 17.6.

Acts

Master, and the fervant, as his Lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub; how much more shall they call them of his household?

Bleffed are ye when men fhall revile you, and perfecute you, and fhall fay all manner of evil against you falfly, for my fake.

Then they fuborned men which faid, We have heard him fpeak blafphemous words against Mofes and against God. And they ftirred up the people, and the elders, and the fcribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council.

And when they found them not, they drew Jafon, and certain brethren, unto the rulers of the city, crying, Thefe that have turned the world upfide down, are come hither also.

But this I confefs unto thee, that after 24. 14. the way which they call herefy, fo worship I the God of my fathers; believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.

1 Cor.

4. 13.

2 Cor. 6.8.

Being defamed, we intreat; we are made as the filth of the earth, and are the off-fcouring of all things unto this day.

By honour and difhonour, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true.

Q. It is easily apparent from what is mentioned, that Chriftians are to expect perfecution and tribulation; and that they are always

the

the sheep, and never the wolves; the perfecuted, and never the perfecutors; the afflicted, and not the afflicters; the reproached, and not reproachers: Is it not fit then that Chriftians be fo far from perfecuting others, that they ought to pray for their perfecutors? Is this Chrift's command?

5.44.

A. But I fay unto you, Love your ene- Mat. mies; blefs them that curfe you, do good" to them that hate you, and pray for them which defpitefully ufe you and perfecute you.

Q. Was this Chrift's own practice?

23, 34.

2. 21,

A. Then faid Jefus, Father, forgive them, Luke for they know not what they do, &c. Q. Is Chrift herein to be our example? 4. For even hereunto were ye called, I Pet. because Chrift alfo fuffered for us, leaving 22, 23. us an example, that ye fhould follow his fteps, who did no fin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Q. Is there an inftance of any faints in fcrip tures who followed his example her ein?

7.60.

A. And he (Stephen) kneeled down, and Acts cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this fin to their charge, &c.

Q. It appears by all thefe fcriptures, that - Chriftianity confifteth in the exercise of fear

K

and

I Tim.

3.

25

and trembling, humility, patience, and felf denial: What ought we then to think of fuch who place much of their religion in abstaining from marriage, and certain meats; worshipping of angels, and other fuch acts of voluntary bumility?s

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A. Now the fpirit fpeaketh exprefsly, 4. I, that in the latter times fome fhall depart from the faith, giving heed to feducing fpirits, and doctrines of devils; fpeaking lies in hypocrify; having their confcience feared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abftain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, of them which believe and know the truth.

Cól.

18.

Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of angels, intruding into thofe things which he hath not feen, vainly puffed up by his fefhly mind.

2 Sam.

23.3.

CHA P. XIII.

Concerning Magiftracy.

Queft.-WHAT is the duty of a magiftrate? A. The God of Ifrael faid, the rock of Ifrael fpake to me: he that ruleth over men muft be juft, ruling in the fear of God.

Q. What

Q. What do the fcriptures fpeak of the duty of fuch as are under authority?

to 5.

A. Let every foul be fubject unto the Rom. higher powers; for there is no power but of 131, God: the powers that be, are ordained of God. Whofoever therefore refiftéth the power, refifteth the ordinance of God; and they that refift, fhall recefve to themfelves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou fhalt have praife of the fame; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the fword in vain: for he is the minifter of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye muft needs be fubject, not only for wrath, but also for confcience-fake. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of 1 Pet. man for the Lord's fake; whether it be to the king, as fupreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are fent by him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For fo is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to filence the ignorance of foolish men.

2. 13,

to 15.

13.6,7.

Q. Ought tribute to be paid to them? 4. For, for this caufe pay we tribute Rom, alfo, for they are God's minifters, attending continually upon this very thing.

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