unbelieving persecutors, or revolt from the faith by reason of persecutions. From all these things the primary conclusion is specially inferred, verse 19. that the faithfull in suffering afflictions should arme themselves with true confidence, against all the perturbations and temptations which may arise unto them from afflictions. The Doctrines drawne herehence. Doctrine 1. _Afflictions and persecutions should not seeme a new or strange thing unto Christians._ This is gathered from verse 12. _Reason_ 1. Because they were foretold by Christ and his Apostles. 2. Because Christ himselfe and his chiefe Disciples were used after the same manner. 3. Because such is the disposition of the world, that we must alwayes expect such things from it. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us not to be troubled at these things, as it is in the text. Doctrine 2. _The end and use of afflictions is for the triall of Christians._ This is gathered from the same verse. See the same doctrine Chapter 1. verse 7. Doctrine 3. _The faithfull in suffering afflictions and persecutions are partakers of Christs sufferings._ This is gathered from verse 13. _Reason_ 1. Because when they suffer for the name of Christ, Christ suffers in them, according to that of the Lord, _Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?_ 2. Because they are made conformable unto Christs death, _Philippians 3.10._ _Vse._ This may serve to comfort us, because therein we have matter of rejoycing, as it is in the text. Doctrine 4. _From these afflictions, if we suffer them joyfully, we have a sure argument of our eternall joy and glory to come hereafter._ This is gathered from verse 13. _Reason_ 1. Because they that are partakers of Christs death, are partakers also of his resurrection and everlasting life, _Romans 8.17._ _2 Corinthians 4.11._ 2. Because that joy which we have in afflictions, is the first fruits of our eternall joy and glory. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish us to learne to suffer joyfully for the name of Christ, _Iames 1.2._ _Acts 5.41._ Doctrine 5. _The reproaches which the faithfull suffer for godlinesse sake, are to be reckoned amongst those persecutions, which they suffer for the name of Christ._ This is gathered from verse 14. _Reason_ 1. Because they tend to the dishonouring and disgracing of us. 2. Because they shew that the mindes of the authors of them are as ready to bring greater evils upon us, if occasion should serve. 3. Because reproaches doe worke more upon some mens minds then reall injuries. _Vse._ This may serve to admonish, 1. all men, to take heed that they have no communion with the wicked world in scoffing at any part of true piety. 2. The godly, to have a speciall care, that they be not moved at such reproaches, but to beare them with the same patience, that they ought to beare other persecutions.