But if thou trustest in the Lord, strength shall be given thee from heaven, and the world and flesh shall be made subject to thy command. Neither shalt thou fear the devil, if thou art armed with faith, and bearest the cross of Christ. 8. Set therefore thyself, like a faithful servant of Christ, to bear manfully the cross of thy Lord. Prepare thyself to bear many adversities; for so it will be with thee, wheresoever thou be; and so surely wilt thou find it, wheresoever thou hidest thyself. *Drink of the cup of the Lord gladly, if thou wilt be his friend. As for comforts leave them to God; let him do therein as shall best please him. Set thou thyself to suffer tribulations, and account them the greatest comforts; for the sufferings of this life are not worthy of the glory which is to come, although thou alone couldst suffer them all. *9. When thou shalt come to this, that tribulation shall be sweet unto thee for Christ, then think it well with thee, for thou hast found a paradise upon earth. As long as it is grievous to thee to suffer, and thou desirest to fly it, so long shalt thou be ill at ease, and the tribulation thou fliest will follow thee every where. Although thou hadst been wrapt into the third heaven with Paul, thou wouldst not for this be secure from suffering. _I_ (saith _Jesus_) _will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name_. It remaineth, therefore, that thou suffer, if thou wilt love Jesus, and perpetually serve him. 10. O that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of _Jesus_! How great glory would it be to thee! What joy to all the saints of God! How great edification also to thy neighbour! For all commend patience, though few are willing to suffer. With great reason thou oughtest to be willing to suffer a little for Christ, since many suffer far greater things for the world. 11. Know for certain that thou art to lead a dying life. And the more every one dieth to himself, the more he liveth to God. No man is fit to attain unto heavenly things, unless he submit to suffer for Christ. Nothing is more grateful unto God, nothing more wholesome to thee in this world, than to suffer willingly for Christ. And if it were thy choice, thou shouldst rather wish to suffer adversities for Christ, than to enjoy many comforts; because hereby thou shouldst be more like Christ, and more conformable to all the saints. For our proficiency consisteth not in many sweetnesses and comforts, but rather in suffering great afflictions and tribulations. 12. If any thing had been better and more profitable to the salvation of man than suffering, Christ surely would have shewn it by word and example. But he plainly exhorteth all that follow him, to the bearing of the cross, and saith, _If any will come after me, let him renounce himself, and take up the cross, and follow me_.