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But howsoeuer this is a great and grieuous tentation, yet we must take heed that wee be not so discouraged thereby, as to desist, or so much as slacken our pace in the waies of godlinesse; but though we sometime stumble at it a & catch a fall, yet we must not lie still & quite
giue ouer our profession and holy practice, but rise vp againe, and goe in our course with renued resolution: According to the exam∣ple of the Church of God, who though they were somewhat daun∣ted and grieued with the scoffes and derisions of the wicked, yet they did not forget God, nor deale falsely in his couenants; Their heart turned not backe, neither did their steps turne from his way. And of holy Dauid, who professeth, that though the proud had him greatly in derision, yet he declyned not from Gods Law. Vnto which resolution that wee may at∣taine, let vs consider first, that herein no new thing doth betide vs, but that which all Gods Saints and seruants haue suffered at the hands of the wicked from time to time. For thus Ismael derided Isaac, and (as it is probable) the promises of God made vnto him, and all the faithfull in his seed. Michol scoffed at the zeale of holy Dauid, when she saw him dancing before the Arke. Thus the Israelites scor∣ned Gods Prophets and messengers that spake vnto them in the Word of the Lord: And made themselues sport with Ezechiels Sermons, as if he had beene some pleasant Musician. Finally, thus Sanballat and Tobiah derided Nehemiah and the Iewes, when they set them se∣riously to doe the worke of the Lord. And the Iewes scoffed at the Apostles, when they spake with strange tongues the wonderfull workes of God, as though they had beene drunke with new wine. Yea, our Sauiour Christ himselfe, in whom all grauity and wisdome shined, and in whose actions Might and Maiesty, Grace and Good∣nesse clearely appeared, was notwithstanding no whit priuiledged and exempted from the derision and scornes of wicked worldlings. For the Pharisees laughed at his diuine Sermons. Herod and the soul∣diers in scorne clothe him in white and purple, crowne him with thornes, bow the knee before him, and flowtingly salute him as King of the Iewes. yea, in his bitter passion (which he suffering as in∣nocent, should haue drawne from all men euen teares of blood) they sported themselues, nodded their heads, and made themselues merry with his lamentable crie and pittifull complaint, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Now if they haue done these things to a greene tree, fruitfull in all grace and goodnesse, what will they doe to a drie and barraine? If they haue thus scoffed and derided our Lord and Ma∣ster, let vs not, who are his poore and vnworthy seruants, thinke much to be thus vsed: If he haue suffred all these taunts and scornes for our sakes, why should wee thinke it much, to suffer with patience and ioy the like or greater (if it were possible) for his sake and the Gos∣pels? Yea, if he haue meekely borne our sinnes and sorrowes, and shed his precious blood, and indured the heauie wrath of God due vnto vs, that he might saue and deliuer vs out of the hands of all our enemies; how vngratefull are we for all his loue, if wee will not for his sake indure a taunt, a spitefull scorne or reprochfull name, but chuse rather to neglect the duties of his seruice, and to runne with wicked worldlings vnto the same excesse of riot? So oft therefore as the scoffes of prophane men discourage and dis-hearten vs in Chri∣stian duties, let vs animate and strengthen our resolutions in them,
by looking, with the eye of faith, vpon our Sauiour Christ, hanging na∣ked vpon the Crosse, and dying a shamefull death for our sinnes, contem∣ning this disgrace, and swallowing vp this shame with the infinitenesse of his loue. Let vs be content to accompany him in despising these despites, that we may also accompany him in glory and happinesse; according to that of the Apostle; Let vs runne with patience, the race which is set before vs, looking vnto Iesus, the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him, indured the Crosse, despised the shame, and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God. For consider him that indured such con∣tradiction of sinners against himselfe, lest wee bee weary and faint in our minds.
Psal. 44. 13, 17, 18.
Psal. 119. 51.
Gen. 21 9.
2 Sam. 6. 16.
2. Chro. 36. 15, 16.
Ezek 33. 32.
Neh. 4. 1, 4.
Act. 2. 13.
Luk. 23. 13.
Matth. ••7. 27. to 4••. Luk. 23. 31. Matth. 10. 24, 25.
Heb. 12. 2, 3.