The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Lastly, To acknowledge Christ and his way, though to our outward undoing. This seemeth great folly: our Saviour therefore doth so fortify his Disciples, That they should not be offended at troubles, that they should be hated of all men, that they should account it an happy thing to be persecuted for his sake. And we see the Apostles and Martyrs choosing the greatest torments, rather than to deny any of Christs Truths. Now what a foolish thing doth the world account this, not to be any thing, to do any thing, to say, and unsay, to believe and disbelieve, to save a mans estate, and his life? As the persecutor told Basil the great, in this thing indeed great, Why would he lose his life for mere niceties and words; it was but saying so and so, a little matter, and all should be well? Thus the matter of Religion and godliness, is counted such a nicety, or nothing, to a mans wealth, and outward accommodations, that he will, as was said of one Bishop, sing Canticum novum, and yet never be out of tune, because always serving the times.

Lastly, To acknowledge Christ and his way, though to our outward undoing. This seemeth great folly: our Saviour therefore doth so fortifie his Disciples, That they should not be offended at troubles, that they should be hated of all men, that they should account it an happy thing to be persecuted for his sake. And we see the Apostles and Martyrs chusing the greatest torments, rather than to deny any of Christs Truths. Now what a foolish thing doth the world account this, not to be any thing, to do any thing, to say, and unsay, to believe and disbelieve, to save a mans estate, and his life? As the persecutour told Basil the great, in this thing indeed great, Why would he lose his life for meer neceties and words; it was but saying so and so, a little matter, and all should be well? Thus the matter of Religion and godlinesse, is counted such a nicety, or nothing, to a mans wealth, and outward accommodations, that he will, as was said of one Bishop, sing Canticum novum, and yet never be out of tune, because alwayes serving the times.

Use of Admonition. If thou wilt be Christs Disciple indeed, know the glory and reputation of the world, and his commands practised, are not consistent together. Thou canst not be judged a wise man, a discreet man, and yet a violent man for the kingdom of Heaven; if you go faster, or beyond the common formality of most men, you have lost your repute presently. As was said of Naaman, He was a great man, a mighty man, but he was a Leper. Thus do thou expect; a rich man, a good natured man, an honest man, but too forward, too much for purity and preciseness. Oh that ever this should be among Christians! The Jew loveth the most zealous Jew; The Papist, the most devout Papist; but we reformed Protestants, love not those whose tongues and lives do most protest, both against Idolatry and all wickedness. Well, do not thou give over for all that; for though they judge it folly, yet thou awest their conscience secretly.