13. Would to God thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus! how great a glory would be laid up for thee, how great joy would it be to all the saints of God, and how great edification to thy neighbour!
All recommend patience; but, alas! how few are there that desire to suffer!
With good reason oughtest thou willingly to suffer a little for Christ, since many suffer greater things for the world.
14. Know for certain that thou must lead a dying life; and the more a man dies to himself, the more he begins to live to God.
No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things, who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.
Nothing is more acceptable to God, nothing more wholesome for thee in this world, than to suffer willingly for Christ.
And if thou wert to chuse, thou oughtest to wish rather to suffer adversities for Christ, than to be delighted with many comforts: because thus wouldst thou be more like to Christ, and more conformable to all the saints.
For our merit and the advancement of our state, consists not in having many gusts and consolations: but rather in bearing great afflictions and tribulations.
15. If, indeed, there had been any thing better, and more beneficial to man's salvation, than suffering, Christ certainly would have shewed it by word and example.