io<J A PERSUASIVE to 

 <world 'was not worthy. And doth not the 

 Apoftle fay, i Cor. if. 19. If in this life on- 

 ly we h&ue hope in Chrift, we are of all 

 men mofl miferdble. And xTim. 3. n. All 

 that will live godly in Chriftje fits Jh all fuffer 

 ferfecution. 



To all this I anfwer, that we fpeak ac- 

 cording to the natural and ufual courfe of 

 things. But there are fome exceptions from 

 general Rules, peculiar and exempt Cafes ; 

 fome righteous perfons, whom for weighty 

 and wife Reafons God is pleafed to per- 

 mit to be* exercifed with great and fore Af- 

 fliftions and Diftrefles ; either perhaps to 

 manifeil his own Power in fupporting them ; 

 or to fet them forth as illuftrious Examples 

 of Fortitude, Faith and Patience. Did not 

 righteous Men fometimes conflift with ad- 

 verfity and Mifery, there would be no ufe 

 of fuch a Grace as Patience ; nay, it could 

 not be known that there were any fuch ; 

 or, to enhance their future reward. The 

 Martyrs who feal the Truth with their 

 Blood, fliall in the judgment of Divines, be 

 advanced to a higher degree of Glory than 

 ordinary Chriftians, and be crowned with 

 Aureol<e fuitable to their deferts. 



But thofe two latter places of the Apo- 

 ftle are to be underftood of the Primitive 



Times 



