§. 137. Of Christs reproach.
THe particular reproach which the Apostle here adviseth to bear, is thus expres∣sed, * 1.1 His reproach, meaning the reproach of Christ.
It is called Christs reproach in sundry respects: as
- 1. The union that is betwixt him and his Church. The Church is that mysticall body whereof he is the head. In this respect head and body are styled Christ, 1 Cor. 12. 12. So as the reproach of the body or of any member thereof, is the re∣proach of Christ himself.
- 2. The sympathy which is betwixt Christ and every of his members. He is sen∣sible of that reproach which is cast upon any of them. In this respect he said to Saul, Why persecutest thou me? Act. 9. 4.
- 3. The account which Christ hath of the reproaches of his Saints; he doth account them as reproaches cast upon himself, even as he did account the neglect of mercy to Saints a neglect of mercy to himself, Matth. 25. 45.
- 4. His undertaking to revenge such reproaches and wrongs as are done to his members. For he hath said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, Rom. 12. 19.
- 5. The cause of the reproach which is here meant, and that is Christ himself, a profession of his name, a maintaining of his Gospel, and holding close to his righ∣teousness. In this sense an Apostle calleth sufferings in such cases, Christs sufferings, 1 Pet. 4. 14. Act. 5. 41.
- 6. That resemblance that is betwixt the reproaches of Saints and Christ. There can scarce be laid a reproach upon a Saint which was not formerly laid upon Christ. See Chap. 12. v. 2. §. 19, 20, 21.
Many reproachfull acts were done unto him all his life long, especially at the time of his death. Whereof see Chap. 6. v. 6. §. 42.
This reference of reproach to Christ in this phrase, His reproach, is for limitati∣on, direction, consolation, and incitation.
- 1. It affordeth a limitation, in that it restraineth it to a distinct kinde of reproach,* 1.2 which is Christs reproach. It is not every kinde of reproach that can be counted a matter of glory, wherein a man may rejoyce; but Christs reproach. I may in this case say of reproach, as the Apostle doth of buffeting: What glory is it, if when ye be reproached for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? 1 P•…•…t. 2. 20.
- 2. It affordeth a direction in shewing how we ought to bear reproach, even as* 1.3 Christ did; for we are in this case to look unto Iesus, who despised the shame. Hereof see Chap. 12. v. 2.
- 3. It ministreth much comfort, in that no other thing is done to us then what is done to our head before us. Herewith doth Christ comfort his Disciples, Matth. 10. 25. Iohn 15. 20. The comfort hence arising is the greater, in that Christ our Head hath a fellow-feeling of our reproaches, and accounts them as cast upon himself, and answerably will recompense us, and revenge our re∣proachers.
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