(1.) Because if God be not known nor honoured in the world, nor Christ, nor the Spirit, why should we take it unkindly ? We cannot in reason expect better entertainment in the world than Christ found in the world : John xv. 20, ' Kemember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than the lord : if they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.' He had spoken it before to persuade them to humility and patience.
(2.) Their opinion is little to be valued, and therefore we should rather pity their ignorance than be offended by their censures. Though we be scorned and lightly esteemed, yea, persecuted by them, we must pity their ignorance of God and heavenly things. The world blindeth them : 2 Cor. iv. 4, ' In whom the god of this world hath blinded their minds which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine upon them.' They are so transformed into a conformity to those things they lust after, that they know not what is true happiness and excellency. Their being of the world is the cause of their ignorance. God's people are too touchy when they stand so much upon the respects of men. It ar- gueth a secret leaven of pride if they murmur when the world doth not esteem them. A christian is an unknown man in the world, and there- fore should not take it ill if he be slighted ; he knoweth he hath the favour of God, that his hopes lie elsewhere ; if they knew you better, they would use you better. When they slight you, nay, persecute and hate you, learn of your Lord to say, ' Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'
(3.) Christians should be satisfied with the approbation of God :
454 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN III. [SER. II.
' Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God ! The world knoweth us not, as it knew him not.' Though the world hate us, yet if God love us, it should be enough : John v. 44, ' How can ye believe, that seek honour one of another, and are not content with the honour that cometh from God only ? ' We make a strange medley when we would have both. It is enough that we have God's image, God's favour and fellow- ship, and are taken into God's family.
(4.) It might be cause of suspicion to us if we were hugged and embraced by the world. However, things must be judged according to their intrinsic value and nature, not by the world's love or hatred ; this should alleviate the sense of the world's contempt. The world cannot sincerely love that which is good : John xv, 19, 'If ye were of the world, the world would love its own ; but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you.' It is better to have the praise of their hatred than the scandal of their love and approbation.
(5.) Those that are truly blessed in their own consciences cannot be truly miserable by the judgment of other men : 2 Cor. i. 12, ' For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that, in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have had our conversations in the world.' The bird of the bosom sings sweetest. If all the world should applaud us, or all the world condemn us, if the world condemn and our consciences acquit us, we need not be troubled ; God will not ask their vote and suffrage for our condemnation or absolution.
(6.) The slanders and mockery of worldly men should be no discour- agement to us in the ways of the Lord ; for God will reckon with them about their hard speeches against his people : 1 Peter iv. 4, ' They speak evil of you, who shall give an account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.' There is not an injurious thought in wicked men's hearts, or word in their mouths, but God taketh notice of it. And therefore this may comfort us, that God will call them to a strict account for all their slanders, or at least keep us from discourage- ment in our duty.
2. As our dignity is not of the world, so in itself it doth not appear during our present state — (1.) Because it is spiritual, there is a veil upon it ; (2.) It is hidden ; (3.) Because it is future.
[1.] The privileges that belong to our dignity and prerogative of adoption are spiritual, and therefore make no fair show in the flesh ; as, for instance —
(1.) The image of God is an internal image : Ps. xlv. 13, ' The king's daughter is glorious within.' The world is glorious without, but the church is glorious within ; its splendour lieth not in large possessions and great revenues, but in a plentiful effusion of gifts and graces. A harlot is more painted and decked with jewels than a matron ; so is the false church more adorned with outward splendour than the true : Cant. i. 5, ' I am black, but comely, like the tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon.' There are many crosses and comforts, corrup- tions and graces, beauty and blackness ; as the wild and wander- ing people that carried tents up and down were black in the outside, and sullied with the weather, but carried about with them costly and valuable things ; and Solomon's rich hangings and tapestry had other