# Preface to Second Part. · Page 3 of 11

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Now, even as the reading of, and meditating
upon, the pious fathers, is very profitable in every
case, so these persons stand as instructive and consoling
examples, for all who are visited with crosses
and temptations. Here manifest themselves shining
beacons of living faith, of sure hope, and ardent
love. Here is seen the positiveness of God’s promises,
in fearless and joyful hearts, in the midst of
suffering. Matt. 10:19. Here is the steadfastness
of the saints, whom Christ crowns with salvation.
Matt. 24:13. It is true, by the worldly-minded they
are accounted as filth and offscouring (1 Cor. 4:13),
and their actions stigmatized as sheer folly and madness;
but they comfort themselves in God, and rely
on his promises. They have learned that the cross
must thus be taken up, if one would be worthy of
Christ. Matt. 10:38. They know that they are strangers
and pilgrims in this world, 1 Pet. 2:11, and remember
the words of their Master, who says: “If
ye were of the world, the world would love his own;
but because ye are not of the world, therefore the
world hateth you.” John 15:19. They are confident
that if they lose their life here, they shall find
it again hereafter. Matt. 10:39. They believe that
we must confess the name of Christ, if we would
have him confess us before his heavenly Father.
Matt. 10:32. They know that their Lord and Master
suffered himself, leaving us an example that we
should follow his steps; who was thus minded, that
when he was reviled, he reviled not again, and
when he suffered, threatened not, but prayed for his
enemies. 1 Peter 2:21,23. They hold that if they
would reign with Christ, they must here suffer with
him. 2 Tim. 2:12. They are mindful of the words
of Christ, that the servant is not greater than
his master, Matt. 10:24, and that therefore, as
Christ suffered, they must arm themselves with the
same mind. 1 Peter 4:1. They know themselves
to be defenseless sheep, a prey to the devouring
wolves. But they do not fear them, who can kill
only the body, but him who holds body and soul in
his hand. Matt. 10:28. They learned long ago that
all that will live godly shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim. 3:12. Christ foretold them that they should
be hated of all men for his name’s sake, yea, should
be delivered into tribulation, and be killed; and
what is still more, that those killing them should
think that they do God service. Hence, they think
it not strange when they are tried by suffering; but
rejoice that they are partakers of the sufferings of
Christ, knowing that, when his glory shall be revealed,
they shall also rejoice with him. 1 Peter
4:12,13. They glory in tribulation (Rom. 5:3),
believing that thereby their faith is tried and refined.
1 Pet. 1:7. They experience that patient suffering
begets a glad and constant hope, and that the cross,
which to those who perish, is foolishness, is to them
the power of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:18), and
esteem it as the grace of God, when for conscience
345
they suffer wrongfully. 1 Pet. 2:19. And though
they be troubled, persecuted and cast down here,
yet they are not in despair, forsaken, or destroyed;
but with holy Paul, they always bear about in their
bodies, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life
also of the Lord Jesus might be made manifest
in their bodies. 2 Cor. 4:8–11. They feel in the
abounding of the sufferings of Christ, an abounding
consolation through Christ. 2 Cor. 1:5. They believe
that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the future glory.
Rom. 8:18. Hence they arm themselves for tribulation
and suffering, as true heroes of their captain,
Jesus Christ. They have before them a great
brotherhood, who finished their course in this way.
Cain could not bear his brother’s piety and favor
with God, and slew him. Gen. 4:8. Violence and
oppression ruled the first world. Gen. 6:13. Pious
Lot had to be the sport and lust of the Sodomites.
Gen. 19. David had to flee before Saul. The
prophet Isaiah lamented already in his time that he
who departed from evil had to be everyone’s prey
and derision. Many holy prophets and men of God
had to endure persecution and martyrdom from the
wicked, as holy Zacharias, Amos, Micah, Jeremiah,
Daniel, and the three young men, Eleazar, the
mother with her seven sons, and others, who need
not be mentioned, since the time and age of the
New Testament, furnish abundant material in this
respect. John, the forerunner of Jesus, had to offer
his neck to the sword, in prison. Matt. 14:10.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_345)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

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