3. It is very grievous. Contempt maketh our other trials more sharp. Every man thinketh himself worthy of some respect, and would be somebody in the Avorld, and therefore, when we are laid aside as if dead and useless, the temptation is the greater. Saul could better bear death than contempt : 1 Sam. xxxi. 4, ' Draw thy sword and thrust me through, lest the uncircumcised come and abuse me.' Zede- kiah was afraid of mocking : Jer. xxxviii. 19, ' Lest they deliver me into the hands of the Chaldeans, and they mock me.' But not only as we are men is it grievous to us, but also as Christians ; because this contempt refiecteth upon our hopes and the worship of God ; it hindereth our service : while we were esteemed we did more good, and had greater advantages. It may revive the sense of guilt. God saith^ 1 Sam. ii. 30, ' Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.' We have made God's name to be reproached, and religion to be lightly esteemed ; we may own the justice of God in all this.
Use. Oh ! then, let us be fore-armed against this temptation, that when we lose esteem with wicked men, because we will not com- ply with their lusts, we may bear it patiently. Surely we stand too
VeR. 141.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 495
much upon honour and respect, and have too tender a sense and feelhig of contempt, when it discourageth us in the waj^s of God. A Chris- tian should seek the honour that cometh from God onl}', and be content with his approbation. I know it is a blessing to have respect with men ; it is said of our Lord Christ that he grew in favour with God and with men, Luke ii. 52 ; the same also is spoken of Samuel : 1 Sam. ii. 26, ' And the child grew, and was in favour witli God and with men.' It is a blessing where it may be had without any viola- tion of duty. When God blameth us not, and men have no just com- plaint against us, our care must be to provide things honest in the sight of God and men, Kom. xii. 17 ; to take away all cause of offence both from Jew and Gentile, and from the church of God, 1 Cor. x. 32. But if men will not be pleased but with the offence of God, we should count it a jirivilege to be worthy of the world's hatred. Gratias ago Deo nieo, quod dignus sum^ quern mundiis oderit, saith Hierome ; be not discouraged if they slight you that slight God and Christ and their own salvation. Our self-love is too great when so tender to suffer a little disgrace and contempt for Christ, who hath suffered so many and and so great indignities for us. Therefore, though we be small and despised, let our affection be as great to the word as ever ; say, 2 Sam. vi. 22, * I will yet be more vile than this, and base in mine own sight.' Alas ! many cannot bear contempt, coguntur esse mali ne viles liabe- antur, as Salvian complains in his days. As we should not forsake the despised ways of God, so not be dejected and troubled at it ; better we be despised than God dishonoured ; therefore let us purchase the glory of God with our disgrace. To animate you —
1. Consider it is the usual lot and portion of God's children. When God meaneth thoroughly to humble his children, he suffereth them to be odious in the eyes of the people where they live : we need so sharp a means to do us good, therefore the church complaineth of contempt : Lara. iii. 45, ' Thou hast made us as the off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the people.' You will say this was a sinning nation. Nay, the apostle saith the same thing of himself and other apostles : 1 Cor. iv. 13, ' We are made the filth of the world and the off-scouring of all things;' cast out, as the sweeping of the city. Yea, Christ himself complaineth, Ps. xxii. 6, ' I am a worm, and no man ; a reproach of men, and despised of the people ;' as if he were but as a worm to be trod upon in respect of the world. Thou canst not be more despised than Christ was. So Lsa. liii. 3, ' He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; we hid our faces as it were from him : he was despised, and we esteemed him not.' Well, if this be a common lot and portion of God's people, it is more usual to persecute with contempt than with violence ; men are kept off by the restraint of laws.
2. Shall we not suffer a little for Christ who suffered so much for us ? He hath endured greater reproaches for our sakes ; and what are we to him ? If he endured shame, was made a curse for us, what a softness and tenderness have we for our interests ! Mat. x. 24, ' The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord,' &c.