The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

Obj. 1. Should I now in my Youth set upon the practice, and walk in the ways of godliness, I must look for nothing but jeers and scoffs from my Companions and Acquaintance.

Answ. 1, True it is, none are more evil spoken of, and traduced, than such as walk in the ways of Holiness: but ⟨p. 18⟩the ground of it springs not from their just deservings, but from the worlds malice, and enmity to God, which is derived to them for his sake.

2. Those jeers and scoffs, which are cast upon thee by thy Carnal Friends, should be an encouragement, rather than a discouragement in the ways of Godliness, in that they may prove a blessing unto thee. For, saith our Saviour, Matth. 5. 11. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, Therefore the Primitive Saints rejoiced, that they were accounted worthy to suffer scorn and reproaches, yea any thing for the Name of Christ. Scoffs and disgraces do oft-times increase, as the Graces of Gods people, so likewise their glory. He that takes from a Saints credit, doth add to his Crown.

2. Those jeers and scoffs, which are cast upon thee by thy Carnal Friends, should be an incouragement, rather than a discouragement in the ways of Godliness, in that they may prove a blessing unto thee. For, saith our Saviour, Matth. 5. 11. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake: Rejoyce, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, Therefore the Primitive Saints rejoyced, that they were accounted worthy to suffer scorn and reproaches, yea any thing for the Name of Christ. Scoffs and disgraces do oft-times increase, as the Graces of Gods people, so likewise their glory. He that takes from a Saints credit, doth add to his Crown.