Let this then encourage the saints to hope, and to rejoice in hope of the glory of God, notwithstanding present tribulations.  This is our seed-time, our winter:  afflictions are to try us of what mettle we are made; yea, and to shake off worm-eaten fruit, and such as are rotten a core.

Troubles for Christ’s sake are but like the prick of an awl in the tip of the ear, in order to hang a jewel there.

Let this also put the saints upon patience.  When we know that a trial will have an end, we are encouraged to exercise patience.  I have a bad master, but I have only a year to serve under him, and that makes me serve him with patience.  I have but a mile to go in this dirty way, and then I shall have my path pleasant and green, and this makes me tread the dirty way with patience.

I am now in my rags; but by that a quarter of a year is come and gone, two hundred [Footnote:  That is, pounds:  a large income in the England Bunyan’s day.] a year comes into my hand; wherefore I will wait and exercise patience.  Thus might I multiply comparisons.

Be patient, then, my brethren.  But how long?  “To the coming of the Lord.”  But when will that be?  “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

How unseen the strength of the church under persecution is of all that are without her.  Alas, they think that she will be run down with a push; or, as they said, “What do these feeble Jews?  Will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish which are burnt?  Alas, if a fox go up, he will even break down their stone wall.”

But do you think these men saw the strength of the Jews?  No, no; their pillars were within, and so were shadowed from their eyes.  David himself could not tell what judgment to make of the way of the world against the people of God, until he went into the sanctuary of God.

How then can the world judge of the condition of the saints?  Alas, had they known the church’s strength, surely they would not have so furiously assaulted her.  But what have they got by all they have done, either, against the Head or body of the church?

She has yet being in the world, and will have, shall have, though all the nations on earth should gather themselves together against her.  Nor is it the cutting off of many that will make her cease to flourish.  Alas, were she not sometimes pruned and trimmed, her boughs would stand too thick.  Those therefore that are taken away with God’s pruning-hooks, are removed that the under branches may grow the better.

No man needs be afraid to let Jesus Christ be chief in the world:  he envies nobody; he designs the hurt of none:  his kingdom is not of this world, nor doth he covet temporal matters:  let but his wife, his church, alone, to enjoy her purchased privileges, and all shall be well; which privileges of hers, since they are soul-concerns, make no infringement upon any man’s liberties.  Let but faith and holiness walk the streets without control, and you may be as happy as the world can make you.  I speak now to them that contend with him.