Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. Christ is to be followed in his Patient enduring the worlds hatred; and the slights and contradiction of sinners. It was the Fathers and the Sons love to the world, that brought Christ into it: and he came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved, Joh. 3.17. Yet what strange kind of usage from the world did he meet with! The world was mad upon Sin, venturous upon Hell and wrath: and with contempt and hatred rejected the only Saviour. His Person they are prejudiced against; his Doctrine they contradict; and his Design they oppose, though their Deliverance and Salvation was designed.

Christians should not think it strange; that they meet with hard and unworthy usage from the world. Cain did quickly show his enmity against Abel his Brother, because his own works were evil, and his brothers righteous, 1 Joh. 3.12. If the world hate you, says Christ, ye know it hated me before it hated you; if ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you, Joh. 15.18, 19. Now as Christ was unmoved by the worlds Malice either from doing his work, or from looking to the joy that was set before him; so should Christians also be. Conquer the world by contempt of its fury; overcome its evil with good: and as Christ made intercession for the transgressors, that cried, Crucify him, crucify him; so do ye love your Enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you, Mat. 5.44.

Christians should not think it strange; that they meet with hard and unworthy usage from the world. Cain did quickly shew his enmity against Abel his Brother, because his own works were evil, and his brothers righteous,