(2.) Then again, as death wrought in him, so life in them, that they might have good by his suft'erings, and the presence of God's Spirit in his sufierings, to be less troubled with the cross. We see St Paul nevertheless hath his partial death, his abasement in the world, as an ' earthen vessel ' despised of all ; how straight he walks and comfortably he walks ! how God is present with his Spirit ! And surely if we sutler for a righteous cause, the same Spirit that was present with Paul shall be present with us. And thus by way of example life works in them, but death in him.
(3.) Life wrought in them, by death in him, that they might be in love more with religion, which is such as bringeth comfort and strength from heaven in the greatest sufferings for it. And that they might love the cause the better, God is present with the cause. If it were not God's cause, he would not accompany it with such increase of grace and comfort. There- fore, as death in Paul, so life in them ; for they are more and more in love with religion. And so it was with the martyrs : when they saw it was such a cause, then they went cheerfully to suffer. They knew God had neither
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. IV, VEE. 12, 13. 439
persons nor cause, that he was so present with all ; and therefore they were encouraged themselves, because they saw others victoriously and triumph- ingly to suffer. So we see that we ought not to take scandal at the suffer- ings of any for a good cause. Their death is our life. If we be of the same body, we may take good by it. We should be so far from taking scandal at them that suffer for justice or religion, that we should honour them the more. ' I Paul, a prisoner,' Eph. iii. 1. Is that a weakening of himself? No. As a prevailing argument, [he] here mcntioneth his bonds and sufferings. It is so far therefore from being a matter of offence as to make us not to be ready to taunt them, as proud flesh is ready to do ; and therefore they have counted crosses and suffering, a contemptible thing, that we should honour it the more. And therefore take no offence at them that suffer in the cause of religion ; their sufferings is for the good of others. For this we have a more clear place in -the latter part of this chapter.
Ohj. But have not all God's children their death, without dying to you ? Are not all God's children partakers of the cross ?
Alls. Beloved, sometimes it is thus with God's church and children, that God to favour them doth give them an exemption from any great cross till they be trained up, and get fortitude and strength ; not that God loveth them more than he loveth others that he exerciseth ; but it is clean contrary, for where he causeth to suffer for a good cause, it is a privilege. ' To you it is given, not only to believe, but also to suffer,' Philip, i. 29. He favours them more, and tenders them more. The rest have not that strength of grace, and therefore God cherisheth them ; as when plants be young, we set them about with bushes against excursion of outward causes ; but when they have taken root, those be taken away. So God besets his children with props and comforts till they have gotten root ; but afterwards exposeth them to storms and wind, that they may take root deeper. Therefore let none think they be better because they be free. God is preparing and fitting them for that Avhich is prepared for them.
' We having the Spirit, as it is written, Ibeheve, therefore have I spoken ; we also believe, therefore we speak.'
The holy apostle doth here, as an entrance into this discourse, fully set forth his condition under the cross, and the sufferings as a believer ; that is, he was bold and confident, notwithstanding all sufferings, in hope of the resurrection, and glory to come. And he sets out his faith by compar- ing his faith with them in former times. ' We having the same Spirit of faith ' that they had before, as Abraham, and David, and others, we are not alone, neither in sufferings nor in our comforts. We have the same combats and the same comforts, the same Spirit of comfort and gi'ace, according ' as it is written, I believe, therefore I have spoken; we also be- lieve, therefore do we speak.' He made David's case, Ps. cxvi. 10, parallel to his own. They were both in trouble and affliction, both confess to God in the midst of his congregation. Saint Paul had the same Spirit : ' we believe and speak,' as they believed and spake. I shall have the present life of Christ manifested in me. I know by experience that I shall be carried along by the life, and power, and Spirit of Christ, and afterward I look for a glorious resurrection, as is specified in the next verse.
' We having the same Spirit of faith,' not the same with you, and the