Section IV. — Observe the publication Paul makes of his sufferings to the church : he, being now a prisoner, sends his despatches to this and other churches, to let them know his condition. From whence, observe, that suffer- ings for the gospel are no matter of shame. Paul doth not blush to tell, it is • for the gospel he is in bonds. The shame belonged to them that put on the chain, not to him that wore it. The thief, or murderer, may justly blush to tell wherefore he suffers ; not the Christian for well-doing. ' If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf,' 1 Pet. iv. 16. Christ himself counted it no dishonour to have the print of his wounds seen after his resurrection. The apostles rejoiced that ' they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name,' Acts v. 41. And if it be no shame to suffer for the gospel, then surely it is none to profess it, and live up to its holy rules. Shall the wicked glory in their shame, and thou be ashamed of thy glory ? Shall they do the devil's work at noon-day, and thou afraid to be seen to be good ?
Section V. — Observe the end why Paul makes known his sufferings. First, That they may know the tnie cause wherefore he suffered. His enemies laid heavy things to his charge, and these might fly as far as Ephesus. When the saints are in a suffering condition, Satan is very industrious to defame them, and misrepresent the cause of their troubles to the world, as if it were for no good. Now, though Paul regarded little what the wicked world said of him, yet he desired to stand right in the thoughts of the churches, and therefore acquaints them with the cause of his imprisonment. Secondly, To strengthen their faith and comfort their hearts. No doubt but Paul's chain entered into their souls, and his suffering was their sorrow. This he knew, and therefore sends them word by Tychicus, the bearer of this epistle, how it fared with him in his bonds, that they might not spend too many tears for him, who had a heart so merry and cheerful in his sufferings, ver. 22 : ' That ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.' Thus have we seen sometimes a tender-hearted father on his sick bed, not so much troubled with his own pains, or thoughts of his approaching death, as to see his children take them so much to heart ; and, therefore, forgetting his own miseries, addresseth himself with a smiling countenance to comfort them. O, it is an excellent sight to behold the saints that are at liberty mourning over their afflicted brethren, and those that are the sufferers become comforters to them that are at liberty ! Never doth religion appear more glorious, than when they commend it who are suffering for it ; and no way can they commend it higher, than by a holy, humble cheer- fulness of spirit in their sufferings. The comfortable letters which the martyrs in Queen Mary's days sent out of prison, did wonderfully strengthen their brethren throughout the kingdom, and fit them for the prison. Suflerers preach with great advantage above others. They do not speak by hearsay ; but what they experience in themselves. Thirdlj', To engage their prayers for him. Suffering saints have ever been very covetous of prayers : Paul sets all tlie churches at work for him. 'Pray, jiray, pray,' was the usual close to Mr. Bradford's letters out of prison : and there is great reason for it ; for a suffering condition is full of temptations. When man plays the persecutor, the devil forgets not to be a tempter. He that followed Christ into the wilderness, will find a way to get to his saints in the prison. Sometimes he will try whether he can soften them for impressions of fear, or make them pity themselves ; and he shall not want them that will lend their tears to melt their courage, and weaken their resolution ; may be, wife and children, or friends and neighbours, who wish them well, but are abused by Satan to lay a snare before them, while they express their affection to them. No doubt, those good people meant w^ell to Paul, who with (ears and entreaties endeavoured to keep him from Jerusalem (where it was foretold he should come into trouble) ; but Satan had a design against Paul therein, who hoped they might not only break his heart, but weaken his courage with their tears. When Satan cannot make a coward of the saint, to run from the cross, then he w-ill try to sour and swell his spirit with some secret anger against those that laid it on. O, it is no easv matter to
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