Under the term persecution are comprehended all kinds of injuries, afflictions and inconveniences, in relation to fortune, honor, or life. These are caused by the devil or his ministers, sometimes, also by mistake (God so permitting), by the just themselves. They are suffered for justice' sake, when they are borne with patience and accompanied with the exercise of virtue, and in compliance with our duty toward God and man. They ought not to be suffered with patience only, but with joy at the greatness of the reward . . .
Baxter,
Meditations
