SERM. Paffive as well as Active Graces; in VI. which he abounded. Both Sides of his

Character are highly useful and inftru&ive to us; Both, at different Times, and for different Ends, alike neceffary to be attentively confidered, and closely followed by us. But fome Occafions, fome Times there are, when that Part of Christ's Example, which relates to the fad Sufferings he underwent, and the Heroick Manner in which he bore them, is principally to be regarded by Chriftians. Such was the Seafon, at which S. Feter wrote this Epiftle to his Brethren of the Difperfion, then every where oppreffed, afflicted, perfecuted: And fuch is this particular Day in the Calendar of our Church; facred to the Memory of those Saints, Confeffors and Martyrs of old, who being exercised in Afflictions, 2 Tim. iv.and trained up to Sufferings, fought the good Fight, and finished their Course, and obtained the Crown, which was laid up for them by the Author and Finisher of their Faith, the great Pattern and Rewarder of their Sufferings, Chrift Jefus !

7.

Even hereunto they were called, and in SERM. this their Saintship chiefly confifted; the VI. Imitation of Him who fuffered for Us; leaving Us an Example, that We Should follow his Steps.

The chief Design of S. Peter, throughout this Epistle, is, to fortify the new Converts against thofe Difgraces and Afflictions, which had befallen, or were ready to befall them, on the Account of their Religion; and the Argument, by which he perfuades them here in the Text to Equanimity and Patience, is, we fee, that even hereunto they were cal led; that they felt no more now, than what, from their very Entrance on Chris ftianity, they had Reason to expect ; that these were the Terms, on which they embraced the Faitu; that fuch Sufferings are the proper Lot and Portion of Chri ftians; because (as he adds) Christ also Suffered for us, leaving us an Example, that ye fhould follow his Steps. If the Cap- Heb. iij tain of our Salvation was made perfect 10. through Sufferings, how fhould any Man who marches under his Enfigns, ever hops

L 2

6.

SERM. hope to exempt himself from them? He VI. not only gave us Precepts, which we are to obey, but a Pattern also to direct, and facilitate our Obedience. They 1 Joh. ii. therefore, who say, they abide in him, ought themselves alfo fo to walk, even as he walked; and consequently (if the Will of God fo be) to Suffer, as He Suffered, with a becoming Meekness and Patience, with Fortitude and Firmness: Especially if it be confidered, that he suffered for Us, i. e. on our Account, and for our Advantage: And why then should we think it hard and unreasonable to Suffer for ourselves? or be froward and uneafy under any Affliction of Life that befalls us? He took out the Sting, and Expiated the Guilt of our Sins, by his Sufferings; but fo as to leave us ftill under an Arrear of Punishment, which We ourselves are to difcharge, and, by that means, (as S. Paul emphatically fpeaks) Cel.i. 24 to fill up what is behind of the Afflictions of Chrift in our Flesh. Even hereunto were We called; because Christ also suffer

ed

ed for us, leaving us an Example, that SERM. We should follow his Steps.

The Words, you fee, will give me a proper Occafion of explaining two great Truths, always fit to be inculcated to Chriftians, and always prefent to the Minds, and exemplified in the Actions of thofe Holy Men and Women, whom we this Day profess to Commemorate. The two points are these,

I. That the Chriftian State, however willing fome Chriftians may be to mistake the Nature of it, is certainly a State of Suffering.

H. That the Sufferings of Christ afford us a plain Argument, why We also should expect our Share of Suf ferings; and withal a powerful Motive to fupport us under them. And,

I. I am to fhew, that the Chriftian
State is a State of Suffering.

VI.

SERM.

19.

This is an hard Saying, which will not VI. cafily gain Admittance with the Great,

the Rich, and the Profperouss with Luke xvi. those who are Cloathed in Purple and fine Linnen, and fare Sumptuously every Day. And yet, as unwelcome as the Doctrine may be, it is very clear and certain. We can scarce open a Page of the Gospel, without finding it either laid down in the Express Words of Chrift and his Apostles, or recommended by their Practice. Even hereunto are we called, Thef. fays S. Peter in the Text; We are thereunto appointed, 'Els T8 To neiueda, fays S. Paul, where he is profeffedly treating of this Subject. And in another Place, All that will live Godly in Chrift Jefus, fhall Aas xiv. fuffer Perfecution. And again, We must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.

iji. 3.

2 Tim.iii.

12.

32.

'Tis true, these, and many other Paffages of like Import in the New Teftament, are chiefly, and in their utmost Extent, to be understood of the Times when they were firft uttered, the Infant Age of Christianity; when the Standard

of