4. Jesus Christ was content to be reproached for us;1 He despised the shame of the Cross*. It may amaze us to think, that he who was God could endure to be spit upon, to be ⟨p. 87⟩crowned with thorns, in a kind of jeer; and when he was ready to bow his head upon the Cross, to have the Jews in scorn wag their head, and say, He saved others, himself he cannot save. The shame of the Cross was as much as the blood of the Cross; His Name was crucified before his Body. The sharp arrows of Reproach that the world did shoot at Christ, went deeper into his heart then the spear; His suffering was so ignominious, that as if the Sun did blush to behold, it withdrew its bright beams, and masked it self with a cloud; (and well it might, when the Sun of Righteousness was in an eclipse;) all this contumely and reproach did the God of glory endure, or rather despise for us. Oh then, let us be content to have our names eclipsed for Christ; let not reproach lie a• our heart, but let us bind it as a crown about our head. Alas, what is reproach? this ⟨p. 86⟩[…] ⟨p. 87⟩[…] ⟨p. 88⟩is but small shot, how will men stand in the mouth of the Canon? those who are discontented at a reproach, will be offended at a faggot.
4. Jesus Christ was content to be reproached for us;1 Hee despised the shame of the Crosse*. It may amaze us to thinke, that he who was God could endure to be spit upon, to be ⟨p. 87⟩crowned with thornes, in a kinde of jeere; and when he was ready to bow his head upon the Crosse, to have the Jewes in scorne wag their head, and say, He saved others, himselfe he cannot save. The shame of the Crosse was as much as the blood of the Crosse; His Name was crucified before his Body. The sharpe arrowes of Reproach that the world did shoot at Christ, went deeper into his heart then the spear; His suffering was so ignominious, that as if the Sunne did blush to behold, it withdrew its bright beams, and masqued it selfe with a cloud; (and well it might, when the Sun of Righteousnesse was in an eclipse;) all this contumely and reproach did the God of glory endure, or rather despise for us. Oh then, let us be content to have our names eclipsed for Christ; let not reproach lie a• our heart, but let us binde it as a crown about our head. Alas, what is reproach? this ⟨p. 86⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 87⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 88⟩is but small shot, how will men stand in the mouth of the Canon? those who are discontented at a reproach, wil be offended at a faggot.
- 14. Reply.
- *Heb. 11. 2.
