The Fountain of Life Opened

Inference 6.

¹Did Pilate vindicate Christ in drawing up such a Title to be affixed to his cross, then hence it follows; that God will sooner or later, clear up the innocency and integrity of his people, who commit their cause to him. Christs name was clouded with many reproaches. Wounded through and through by the blasphemous tongues of his malicious enemies. He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, 1 Pet. 2.23. and see how soon God vindicates him. That's sweet and seasonable counsel for us, when our names are clouded with unjust censures, Psal. 37.5, 6. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy Judgement as the noon day. Joseph was accused of incontinency, David of treason; Daniel of disobedience; Elijah of troubling Israel; Jeremiah of revolting; Amos of preaching against the King; The Apostles of sedition, rebellion and alteration of Laws; Christ himself of gluttony, sorcery, ⟨p. 367⟩blasphemy, sedition: But how did all these honourable names wade out of their reproaches, as the Sun out of a cloud! God cleared up their honour for them even in this world. Slanders, saith one, are but as soap, which though it soils and daubs for the present, yet it helps to make the garment more clean and shining. When hair is shaven, it comes the thicker, and with a new increase. So when the Razor of censure hath (saith one) made your heads bare,² and brought on the baldness of reproach, be not discouraged, God hath a time to bring forth your righteousness as the light, by an apparent conviction to dazzle and discourage your adversaries.

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