1. It is necessary with respect unto those Reproaches which the Profession of a saving Faith will expose men unto. It hath done so always, and will do so whilst ⟨p. 129⟩this world continues. And they are usually cast on Believers in so great variety on all sorts of occasions, as that it would be a long work to call over the principal of them. For they are the chief effects of the Endeavours of Satan as he is the accuser of the Brethren. I shall instance only in those of one kind. And they are those which on their Straights, Difficulties and Temptations, the world reflects upon, as if their Profession of Faith in God were vain, false and hypocritical. When men said unto David, Where is now thy God? or what is become of thy Religion and Profession, thy pretended Trust in God? he says, it was a killing Sword in his Bones, it pierced deep and pained greatly, Psal. 42. 10. And it is spoken in the Person of our Saviour, Reproaches have broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness, Psal. 69. 20. And this was the Reproach that was cast upon him on the Cross, as the next words manifest, They gave me Gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me Vinegar to drink, ver. 21. And this Reproach was that which we Instance in, They shook the Head at him, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him, let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him, Psal. 22. 118. Matth. 27. 43. And what befell the Lord Christ on the Cross, teacheth the Church what it is to expect under it. In this condition patient long-suffering is our only Relief. If that be not in exercise, we shall either faint and despond, or fret our selves to do evil, or say in our hearts, we will do unto others what they have done unto us. But hereby is the Soul delivered. It is not made stupid and senseless of the sharpness and evil of them; David was not so, nor was Christ himself; nor is it the Will of God that we should put them off with a careless regardlessness. The Glory and Honour of God and the Gospel are so far concerned in them, and God so designs them for the exercise of our Faith, as that they are not to be despised. But it will give a quietness and evenness of Spirit under them, so that no Duty shall be obstructed, nor that satisfaction which we have in the ways of God be any way impeded. And in this case this patient long-suffering worketh three ways. (1) By committing our whole cause to God;
1. It is necessary with respect unto those Reproaches which the Profession of a saving Faith will expose men unto. It hath done so always, and will do so whilst ⟨p. 129⟩this world continues. And they are usually cast on Believers in so great variety on all sorts of occasions, as that it would be a long work to call over the principal of them. For they are the chief effects of the Endeavours of Sathan as he is the accuser of the Brethren. I shall instance only in those of one kind. And they are those which on their Straights, Difficulties and Temptations, the world reflects upon, as if their Profession of Faith in God were vain, false and hypocritical. When men said unto David, Where is now thy God? or what is become of thy Religion and Profession, thy pretended Trust in God? he says, it was a killing Sword in his Bones, it pierced deep and pained greatly, Psal. 42. 10. And it is spoken in the Person of our Saviour, Reproaches have broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness, Psal. 69. 20. And this was the Reproach that was cast upon him on the Cross, as the next words manifest, They gave me Gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me Vinegar to drink, ver. 21. And this Reproach was that which we Instance in, They shook the Head at him, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him, let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him, Psal. 22. 118. Matth. 27. 43. And what befell the Lord Christ on the Cross, teacheth the Church what it is to expect under it. In this condition patient long-suffering is our only Relief. If that be not in exercise, we shall either faint and despond, or fret our selves to do evil, or say in our hearts, we will do unto others what they have done unto us. But hereby is the Soul delivered. It is not made stupid and senseless of the sharpness and evil of them; David was not so, nor was Christ himself; nor is it the Will of God that we should put them off with a careless regardlesness. The Glory and Honour of God and the Gospel are so far concerned in them, and God so designs them for the exercise of our Faith, as that they are not to be despised. But it will give a quietness and evenness of Spirit under them, so that no Duty shall be obstructed, nor that satisfaction which we have in the ways of God be any way impeded. And in this case this patient long-suffering worketh three ways. (1) By committing our whole cause to God;
