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SERM.

III, IV.

hope to ingratiate themfelves with the People of the Jews, who were notorious for their zealous Adherence to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Mofaic Law, which the Law of Jefus abrogated, and who were known to look for a Meffiah, who fhould be a mighty temporal Prince, and free them from the Roman Yoke; not one who should erect a fpiritual Kingdom, into which all who would enter muft renounce this prefent World, and wait till the next for their Recompence. They could not think to recommend themselves to the Gentiles, whether Romans, Greeks or Barbarians, because the Religion which was to be fet up by means of this Teftimony condemn'd, and was defign'd to take away, all their erroneous Doctrines and vicious Practices, all the idolatrous Worship and the various Species of Superftition that reigned among them; all their unlawful Arts. and Occupations, all their impure Sports and Spectacles, all their Pomps and Vanities, to which the Generality of the Heathen World were very ftrongly ad

dicted,

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dicted, to which many among them ow'd their Honours and Dignities and Reputation, and upon which Millions depended for their Subfiftence.

THE Apoftles therefore could not propose to themselves any worldly Gain, or Advancement by bearing their Teftimony; they could look for no other than to be great Sufferers by it; as it is clear all muft be, who will be fo hardy as to fet themselves to oppose the darling Notions and receiv'd Ufages, the Vices, Inclinations and Interests of all Men living.

SERM.

III, IV.

AND it is certain, that the Apostles were before-hand appriz'd that a faithful Discharge of their Duty in this Particular would expose them to hard and injurious Treatment. Their Lord had plainly foretold to them that in the World they should bave Tribulation; that they should be perfecuted from City to City, and be hated of all Nations; that they should be brought before Kings and Rulers; be fcourg'd and imprifoned, and delivered up to Death for his Name's fake; and that they who killed them should think they did God G 2 Service.

SERM.

III, IV.

Service. This he required as a neceffary
Condition of all who lifted themselves in

his Service. If any one will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Crofs daily and follow me. If any one come to me, and hate not his Father and Mother, and Wife and Children, and Brethren and Sifters, yea and his own Life alfo, he cannot be my Difciple. And whofoever he be of you that forfaketh not all that he bath, be cannot be my Difciple. Accordingly St. Paul declares, That God had fet forth the Apoftles laft, as Men appointed unto Death; and that the Holy Ghost witnessed in every City that Bonds and Afflictions did abide him. The fame Forewarning which Chrift gave to his Difciples, They very plainly and honeftly gave to their Followers alfo. We muft thro' much Tribulation (faith St.Paul) enter into the Kingdom of God. The Theffalonians he exhorts not to be mov'd by thefe Afflictions; for your Selves know, faith he, that we are appointed thereunto. For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should fuffer Tris. bulation;

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bulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. St. James alfo thus encourages the Jews of the Difperfion, Take, my Brethren, the Prophets for an Example of fuffering Affliction and of Patience. For even hereunto were ye called, faith St. Peter, becaufe Chrift alfo fuffered for us, leaving us an Example, that ye should follow his Steps. And in another Place, Think it not ftrange concerning the fiery Trial, which is to try you. Surely Seducers are not wont to fet out with fuch Views and Apprehenfions, nor to perfuade their Hearers by fuch Arguments as thefe. Surely this is, not the Voice of Impoftors to entice Men over to their Party.

SERM.

HI, IV.

THE Event fully anfwer'd the Predictions of our Saviour, and the Apostle's own Expectations. From the Moment they enter'd upon the Province allotted to them, they were treated as the Refufe and Scum of Mankind; as the Filth of the World, and as the Off-fcouring of all Things; with Contempt, Reproach and Hatred; with Scoffs and Ignominy, with the moft

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moft fhameful and barbarous Indignities. SERM. Bonds and Stripes and Imprisonments; III,IV: Banishments and Lofs of all Things,

Hardships and Sufferings of all Kinds, even to Extremities, and Death itself, were their Portion. Nor were they difmay'd by the Apprehenfions of approaching Tryals, nor dejected by the Senfe of prefent Evils. In expecting them they yielded not to Fear, and in bearing them they were more than Cenquerors. They profefs'd, and it was yifible to those who were nearest to them that they truly profefs'd, that none of thefe Things mov'd them; neither counted they their Lives dear unto themselves, fo that they might finish their Course with Joy, and the Miniftry which they had receiv'd of the Lord Jefus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God. They rejoyc'd that they were thought worthy to suffer for his Name's fake, and gloried in Tribulations. Under all Difcouragements and Diftreffes, with great Power gave they Witness of the Refurrection of the Lord; and neither by any Terrors or Violence could be

brought

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