Hendrick Alewijns, Hans Marijns Van Oosten, And Gerrit Duynherder, A. D. 1569.

Behold, thus we must with patience (with patience, says Paul), run the race that is set before us, looking unto the Captain of our faith, the young man who will set the crown of reward upon our heads, on Mount Sion. Heb. 12:1; 2 Esd. 2:43.

Behold, all this is obtained as the profit and reward of patience, as in the case of Christ, and of all holy martyrs; and it must all be seen by faith, and waited for with patience, as James advises, saying: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of our Lord, and like the husbandman, let us also wait for our harvest and joyful time of reaping. Jas. 5:7. O then the liberal sowers, who have sowed to the Spirit shall reap without ceasing. Gal. 6:9.

Dear friends, let us now, as at the right time, also at the right time, sow liberally to the Spirit and in hope, with joy and not wearying; for in due time it will fill our garner with sheaves as large as in 1 Pet. 1:16.304 For God will not forget our work and labor, as has already been said.

To sum it all up in a few words: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life; which God hath, promised to them that love him.” Jas. 1:12. Now, this promise, inheritance, reward, and crown meets the wants of every one; but only few relish the notable conditions upon which these is promised, namely, obedience to the word of God, complete renunciation of ourselves, and the cheerful, voluntary bearing of our cross. For Paul says: “Unto us it is given, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Philip. 1:29.

Mark, friends, that it is certainly his pleasure, that the servant be as his lord. Matt. 10:25. Hence Christ in his time assured his servants and disciples of so much sorrow, tribulation, reproach, suffering, and of death, for his name’s sake. He did not give it to them as his opinion, not as something which might eventually, or perhaps come to pass, but positively assured them that it should befall them, as will here follow, and, in part, be shown.

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In the first place, Christ’s own words: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up (he says, they will deliver you up) to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” Matt. 10:16–18.

Again: “The brother shall,” he says, shall, “deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall” he says, shall, “be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Verses 21, 22.

Again: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master. If they have persecuted me, they will (he says, they will) also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake.” John 15:20,21.

And again: These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended. They shall (he says, they shall) put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, (mark well) ye may remember that I told you of them. 16:1–4. Paul, also, says that we must through much tribulation (he says, must through much tribulation) enter into the kingdom of God: Acts 14:22. And that all (he says, all) that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12.

Now, dear friends, mark, if it must be so, and also will be so; as has been mentioned in part, and is certain, then, in the name of God, let it be [borne] willingly, and let us not regard the fearful tribulation and distress, but look far beyond, as said before, and be mindful of the comfort contained in the declaration that this temporal tribulation is not worthy to be compared with the eternal glory (Rom. 8:18); and let us also remember that this evil and unrighteous world is not fit for, and was not worthy of, that blessed crown for suffering for righteousness’ sake. Heb. 11:38.