Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Thirdly, because they are reproached for the sake of Christ: if a dog be abused for the sake of his master, ¹it is the abuse of his master: much more when Gods own people are abused for the sake of Christ; and therefore we find that this hath been the plea of Gods people, for thy sake have we been killed all the day long; it was for Christs sake rather then any evil in themselves. And therefore though they be reproached for their sins, it may come to be the reproach of Christ, namely thus, When as men shall take advantage the rather against them, because they are professors of Religion; and were it not for this reason, they might justly reproach them; yet when as they put in this reason, They could bear well enough with the sin, were it not they were professors of Religion, then the reproaches that they justly might suffer for their sins, do come to be the reproaches of Christ. And further, when in these they will take advantage to reproach the shows of Religion, which in others they cannot bear well enough; as when one that is a Professor expresses devotion in lifting up his eyes, or his hands to Heaven, they will reproach him for making shows of Religion, and presently they are Hypocrites: and yet there are others can make mighty shows, and they are commended.

Thirdly, because they are reproached for the sake of Christ: if a dog be abused for the sake of his master, ¹it is the abuse of his master: much more when Gods own people are abused for the sake of Christ; and therefore we finde that this hath been the plea of Gods people, for thy sake have we been killed all the day long; it was for Christs sake rather then any evil in themselves. And therefore though they be reproached for their sins, it may come to be the reproach of Christ, namely thus, When as men shall take advantage the rather against them, because they are professors of Religion; and were it not for this reason, they might justly reproach them; yet when as they put in this reason, They could bear well enough with the sin, were it not they were professors of Religion, then the reproaches that they justly might suffer for their sins, do come to be the reproaches of Christ. And further, when in these they will take advantage to reproach the shews of Religion, which in others they cannot bear well enough; as when one that is a Professor expresses devotion in lifting up his eyes, or his hands to Heaven, they will reproach him for making shews of Religion, and presently they are Hypocrites: and yet there are others can make mighty shews, and they are commended.