I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

But I rather take the two Greek words, [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew], to relate unto that in Lament. 3. verse 45. Thou hast made us as the off-scouring, and refuse in the midst of the People. In the Hebrew, Thou hast made us the off scouring, and the filth, and refuse in the midst of the People: Thus Paul was made, and yet Paul a precious man; he laboured more abundantly than they all. So that I say, it is possible that the more precious a man is, the more unworthy usage he may meet withal from men

But I rather take the two Greek words, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to relate unto that in Lament. 3. verse 45. Thou hast made us as the off-scouring, and reffuse in the midst of the People. In the Hebrew, Thou hast made us the off scouring, and the filth, and reffuse in the midst of the People: Thus Paul was made, and yet Paul a precious man; he labored more abundantly than they al. So that I say, it is possible that the more precious a man is, the more unworthy usage he may meet withal from men

Yea, to raise it a little higher: It is possible that a man may meet with most unworthy dealings therefore, because he is precious in the eyes of God; not only in regard of men; but in regard of God: For God doth sometimes so order things in his Providence, that he doth put men to suffer hard things, because they are precious in his Eyes. Unto you it is given, not only to believe, but to suffer. Suffering sometimes is a Gift, it is a great Gift: A suffering Gift, saith Chrysostom, is a greater Gift, than the Gift of Miracles; for saith he, if God do give me a Gift to work Miracles by, I am in Gods debt; but if God do give me a suffering Gift, he is pleased thereby to become my Debtor; suffering ⟨p. 23⟩