CHAP. XLVI.

Of putting our Truft in God, when we are attack'd with bitter Revilings, and Evil-speakings,

I.

SON

JESUS-CHRIST.

تہ

ON, stand fast, and hope in me. For what are words, but words? They fly through the air, but make no real impreffion. If thou art guilty; think with thy felf, that thou fhouldit be glad of this occafion to amend. If thy conscience reproach thee of nothing; confider that thou oughteft to fuffer this injurious treatment chearfully for the fake of GOD. How will that man be able to endure wounds and blows, who is not yet a match for words? And what can be the reafon that fuch trifles go fo near thee, but because thou art as yet carnal, and regardeft men more than is meet? For, because thou art afraid of con tempt, therefore thou art unwilling to be reprov'd for thy mifcarriages, and art ever feeking colours and excufes for them.

II. But look into thy felf more narrowly, and thou wilt confefs, that the world, and a vain

X. 3.

a vain defire of pleafing Men, ftill liveth in thee. For whilt thou dreadeft to be buffeted and put to fhame and confufion for thy faults, it is a plain fign that thou art neither a true humble man, nor really dead to the world, nor the world crucified to thee. But give ear to my word, and thou wilt not value ten thousand words of mortal men. Behold, tho' all things were faid against thee, that the utmoft malice could poffibly devife; what hurt could they do thee, if thou fufferedst them to pass, without taking any more notice of them than of a ftraw or mote that flies in the air? Could they all together pull off fo much as one hair of thy head?

III. But he that enters not into himself, that fuffers his heart to wander abroad, and hath not God before his eyes, is eafily moved with the leaft word of difpraife. But the man that confideth in me, and affects not to depend upon his own judgment and fense of things, fhall be delivered from the fear and dread of Men. For I am the Judge, and the difcerner of all fecrets: I know in what manner, and with what intention the thing was done; I know both the perfon that offer'd, and the person that fuffer'd the injury. That word of reproach came forth

from

from me; it happen'd by my permiffion; that by this means the thoughts of many. hearts may be revealed. I fhall judge the guilty and the innocent, but it was my good pleasure to try both before-hand by a fecret and hidden judgment.

IV. The teftimony of Men oftentimes deceiveth: My judgment is true; it fhall ftand, and fhall not be overthrown. It lyeth hid generally, and few can penetrate it as to particulars; but yet it never erreth, neither can it err, although to the eyes of the foolish it may not feem right. Thou oughteft therefore to have recourfe to me in all forts of human judgment, and not to lean to thy own private determinations and decifions. For the righteous fhall not be confounded, whatever befals him from the hand of GOD. Tho' a thing be alledged unjustly against him, he will not matter it much: Nor on the other hand is he lifted up with vain joy, if others justify him, and clear his innocence by a reasonable defence. For he confiders that I am a fearcher of the very heart and reins, and judge not as Man judges, according to outward and fallible appearances. For that is often found

a Luke ii. 35.

b Pfal. vii. 10.

X 4

blameable

し

blameable in my eyes, which in the judgment of Men is thought commendable.

THE SOUL.

V. Lord GOD, thou righteous Judge, Strong and patient, who understandeft the frailty and depravity of man, be thou my ftrength, and my whole truft; for my own confcience is not affurance fufficient for me. Thou knoweft, what I know not; and therefore in all reproofs and reproaches I ought to humble my self, and to bear them meekly. Forgive me alfo in mercy, as often as I have failed herein, and grant me a larger measure of the grace of fufferance for the time to come. For thy abundant mercy will avail me more for the obtaining of pardon, than my own conceiv'd righteoufnefs for my juftification as to thofe fins which are unknown to my felf, and efcape the reflection even of my own confcience. For though I should know nothing by my Self, yet am I not hereby juftified, becaufe fetting afide thy mercy, no man living Shall be juftified in thy fight.

c Pfai. vii. 12.

d I Cor. iv. 4.

e Pfal. cxliii. 2.

CHAP.

CHAP. XLVII.

That all Tribulations and Hardships: whatsoever are willingly and chear fully to be undergone for Eternal Life.

I.

JESUS-CHRIST.

i

ON, let not any labours undertaken for my fake damp thy courage, neither let tribulations deject thee over-much, but let my promife in all events ftrengthen and comfort thee. I am fufficient to render a recompence beyond all degrees of measure and proportion. Thou shalt not labour here long, nor fhalt thou be always opprefs'd with pain and grief. Wait a little, and thou shalt fee a fpeedy end of thy mileries. An hour will come, when all turmoil and tumult fhall ceafe. Short and to lerable is every thing which paffeth away, with time.

II. Proceed in thy courfe with refolution: Labour faithfully in my Vineyard, I my felf will be thy reward. Write, read, fing, la-, ment, meditate, pray, fuftain adverfities manfully: Eternal Life is worthy of all these, and greater conflicts. A peace will