1. What refers unto the first part is their suffering in their own persons; and herein he declares both what they suffered, and the manner how. That which they suffered was “ reproaches and afilic- tions;” and for the manner of it, “they were made a gazing-stock” unto other men.
(L.) The first thing wherein they suffered was “ reproaches,” éver- d104076,—a great agoravation of sufferings unto ingenuous minds. The psalmist, in the person of the Lord Christ himself, complains that “reproach had broken his heart,” Ps. Ixix. 20; and elsewhere frequently he complaineth of it as one of the greatest evils he had to conflict withal. It is that kind of reproach which proceeds from malicious hatred, and is accompanied with con- tempt and scorn, and vents itself in all manner of obloquies or hard
*Oveidicors.
564 AN EXPOSITION OF THE -[cHAP. x.
speeches, such as those mentioned Jude 15. And the nature of it is
fully declared by the prophet Jeremiah, chap. xx. 8-10. And there are two branches of reproaches: {1.] False accusations, or charging of men with things vile and contemptible, such as will expose them unto public scorn and rage: “They shall say all manner of evil against you falsely;” “They speak evil of you, as of evil-doers.” So they reproached the person of Jesus Christ himself. They said he was “a malefactor, an evil-doer, a seditious person, a glutton, a wine- bibber, a seducer, one that had a devil;” and thereby stirred up the rage, hatred, and contempt of the people against him. So they re- proached the primitive Christians among the Pagans, namely, that they were atheists, confederating themselves for adultery, incest, murder, and sedition; under which notion they slaughtered them as beasts of the field. And the like reproaches have been cast on the professors of the gospel in all ages. [2.] Those reproaches consist in the contempt that is cast upon what is true, and what in itself is holy, just, good, and praiseworthy. They reproached them with their faith in Christ, with their worship of him, in owning his autho- rity. ‘This in itself was their honour and their crown. But as it was managed with hatred and blasphemy, as it was confirmed by the common consent of all, as it received strength and countenance from their sufferings, wherein they esteemed them punished for their sins and impieties, it added unto their distress.) For men thus to be traduced, aspersed, and charged, partly with things infamous, base, vile; partly by contempt and scorn cast on what they do own and profess; by their friends, neighbours, relations, and the multi- tude of the people; in order to their further hurt and ruin, that they may be looked on and judged as persons meet to be destroyed, not suffered to live on the face of the earth: it is a great suffering, and difficultly to be endured and undergone. Therefore all those that make profession of the name of Christ and the gospel onan to look and provide for such things.
[1.] Take heed of so much softness and tenderness of nature, that may give too deep a sense of reproach, scorn, and shame, which may give too deep an entrance unto these things into your minds; being such as will weaken them in their duties. This ordinarily is a frame
and disposition of mind that lies at the next door to virtue, to mo- |
desty, to humility, and the like; but in this case it lies at the next door to diffidence, despondency, and carnal fear. We are in this case to harden our countenances, and to set our faces as a flint and adamant, so as to despise all reproaches and scorns on the account of our profession.
[2.] It is required that we do not put too much value on our
names and reputations in the world. “A good name is better than
precious ointment,” it yields a good savour; but it is so only with these —
ee a
VER. 32-34.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 565
two limitations: Ist. That it be obtained by things that are really good and praiseworthy; for some have made their names famous and acceptable to the multitude by ways and actions that have really nothing praiseworthy in them. And, 2dly. That they be good men who esteem their name to be good. “ Laudari volo,” said one; “sed & viro laudato.” To have a good report amongst an evil mul- titude is of no advantage. Yet are some men very tender herein: they would be praised and spoken well of by the many; at least they would not be spoken evilly or contemptuously of. But if we have not an under-valuation of our names and reputations univer- sally, in respect unto Christ and the gospel, if we are not contented to be made “as the filth and offscouring of all things,” it will greatly disadvantage us in the time of sufferings. And therefore in the providence of God frequently it falls out, that if there be any thing that is unto us as the apple of our eye, of all we should be tender of our names and reputations in, this shall be peculiarly attempted and reproached.
[3.] That they do not think that any new thing befalls them when they are reproached; no, not when the reproaches.are new, and such as never were cast on any that went before them; for the stores of reproaches and false accusations in the treasury of Satan and hearts of wicked men will never be exhausted.