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.