Directions against the Sinful Fear of Men, and Sufferings by Them, by Richard Baxter
Direct. VI. Experience tells us that men have never so much joy on earth as in suffering for the cause of Christ; nor so much honor as by being dishonored by men for him. How joyfully did the ancient Christians go to martyrdom! many of them lamented that they could not attain it: and what comfort have Christ's confessors found, above what they could ever attain before! And how honorable now are the names and memorials of those martyrs, who died then under the slanders, scorn, and cruelty of men! Even the papists that bloodily make more, do yet honor the names of the ancient martyrs with keeping holidays for them, and magnifying their shrines and relics; for God will have it so, for the honor of his holy sufferers, that even that same generation that persecute the living saints, shall honour the dead, and they that murder those they find alive, shall honor those whom their forefathers murdered:
Matthew 23:29-31, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous: and say, if we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them of the blood of the prophets." Comfort and honour attend the pain and shame of the cross. Acts 5:41, "They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts 16:25, "Paul and Silas sang praises to God at midnight in the prison and stocks," when their backs were sore with stripes. It is written of some of the Christians that were imprisoned by Julian, that they would not forbear in the emperor's hearing as he passed by, to sing, "Let God arise, and his enemies shall be scattered."
Direct. VII. Love better the holy image of God upon your souls, and then you will be glad of the great helps to holiness which sufferings do afford. Who finds not that adversity is more safe and profitable to the soul than prosperity? especially that adversity which Christ is engaged to bless to his servants, as being undergone for him? Romans 10:3-5, "We glory in tribulation also knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed." God "chastens us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness: now no chastisement for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby," Hebrews 12:10,11. Moses "esteemed the very reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: and therefore rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season," Hebrews 11:25, 26. It is but "now for a season, and if need be, that we are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of our faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 1:6, 7. Who is it that knows himself, that feels not a need of some afflictions? To awake us from our drowsiness, and quicken us from our dullness, and refine us from our dross, and wean us from the world, and help us to mortify the flesh, and save us from the deceits of sin?
Direct. VIII. Remember that sufferings are the ordinary way to heaven. Love heaven better, and your sufferings will seem lighter, and your fear of them will be less. Christ has resolved on it, that "if any one come to him, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be his disciple: and whoever doth not bear his cross and follow him, cannot be his disciple: and whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be his disciple," Luke 14:26, 27, 33. "In the world we shall have tribulation, but peace in him," John 16:33. "Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God," Acts 14:22. "If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us," Romans 8:17, 18.
"Therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God," 1 Timothy 4:10. In preaching the gospel, Paul says, he "suffered as an evil-doer even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound," 2 Timothy 2:9. "I suffer these things," says he, "nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day," 2 Timothy 1:12. "Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," 2 Timothy 3:12.
Our patience in sufferings is the joy of our friends, and therefore they are not too much to be feared. 2 Thess. 1:4, 5, "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure: a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer." Therefore take the conclusion of all from God, Revelation 2:10, "Fear none of those things which you shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life." Philippians 1:25-30, "And in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God: for to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." And shall we fear so great a gift?
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