It is not every suffering that makes a man a martyr; but suffering for
the Word of God after a right manner; that is, not only for
_righteousness_, but for righteousness’ sake; not only for _truth_, but
out of love to truth; not only for God’s Word, but according to it: to
wit, in that holy, humble, meek manner, as the Word of God requireth.
It is a rare thing to suffer aright, and to have my spirit in suffering
bent against God’s enemy, sin. Sin in doctrine, sin in worship, sin in
life, and sin in conversation.
Neither the devil, nor men of the world, can kill thy righteousness, or
love to it, but by thy own hand; or separate that and thee asunder,
without thy own act. Nor will he that doth indeed suffer for the sake of
it, or out of love he bears thereto, be tempted to _exchange_ it for the
good will of the whole world.
I have often thought that the best of Christians are found in the worst
times: and I have thought again, that one reason why we are not better
is, because God purges us no more. Noah and Lot, who so _holy_ as they
in the time of their afflictions! and yet, who so _idle_ as they in the
time of their prosperity?