The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

5. Jesus Christ suffered reproaches to sanctify them, that he by his love and wisdom may make them good medicines for his Church, his Elect, it is a very sharp Physic, but Jesus Christ by his experience knoweth how to qualify and commix them with other Ingredients, and make them very wholesome and operative for the good of his Elect; it is a powerful Physic to purge away pride, to hide and subdue it, and to teach humility and meekness, which are very needful lessons for Gods people to learn in this our militant condition, Jesus Christ by his Example in hearing reproaches doth set us sundry needful lessons to learn,

5. Jesus Christ suffered reproaches to sanctifie them, that he by his love and wisdome may make them good medicines for his Church, his Elect, it is a very sharp Physick, but Jesus Christ by his experience knoweth how to qualifie and commix them with other Ingredients, and make them very wholsome and operative for the good of his Elect; it is a powerful Ph•sick to purge away pride, to hide and subdu• it, and to teach humility and meekness, which are very n•edful le•sons for Gods people to learn in this our militant condition, Jesus Christ by his Example in hearing reproaches doth set us sundry ne•df•l lessons to learn,

1. We must learn to keep a strict watch o•er our whole conversation, that we may give no just matter or occasion. We must cut off occasion from them that watch for it, if there be a cause for their reproach we loose the glory of our suffering, 1 Pet. 2.20. for what glory is it; if when you be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently, you do well to take it patiently, and you may find inward comfort upon your humiliation, and outward pity, but there is no Chri ian glory upon such deserved sufferings; they may sin in rigour, and we may do virtuously in exercising patience; but we loose the glory of such Sufferings, because they are just.