2 Timothy 2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Ver. 3. Endure hardship] Never dream of a delicacy; think not to find God in the gardens of Egypt, whom Moses found not but in the burning bush. Many love Canaan, but loathe the wilderness; commend the country, but look upon the conquest as impossible; would sit in the seat of honour with Zebedee's children, but not drink the cup of affliction. These deceive themselves.

As a good soldier, &c.] Christ saith to us (as the Black Prince's father sent to him, fighting as it were in blood to the knees, and in a great distress), Either vanquish or die; as the Prince of Orange said to his soldiers at the battle of Newport, when they had the sea on the one side, and the Spaniards on the other, If you will live, you must either eat up these Spaniards or drink up this sea.