are born of the Spirif^ :" and not even the Lord Jesus Christ himself could escape their reproaches. " If then they called the Master of the house Beelzebub," wonder not if his servants also be designated by reproachful names'. If these things come upon you for righteousness sake, receive them as a token for good", and bless God that you are " counted worthy to endure them^." God permits these things as trials of your faith and love ; and if they at any time appear grievous to you, then think of the plaudit of your Judge, and how speedily the very people who now condemn you will themselves " awake to shame and everlasting contempt y," and will be among the foremost to proclaim your praise^. " Be faithful unto death; and God will give you a crown of life."]
3. Endeavour so to walk, that those who mock at sin may have no occasion given them to mock at righteousness also —
[Whilst you in departing from evil " condemn the world ^," you may be well assured that they will be glad enough to find occasion against you, and to condemn religion on your account. Endeavour then to " walk wisely before God in a perfect way^." Let the world " have no fault to find in yovi, except concerning the law of your God*^." Let not your regard for the duties of the first table lead you to neglect those of the second ; but be careful to fulfil the duty of your place and station towards man, as well as that which consists in the more immediate service of your God : and be careful to avoid all needless singularities, which in the sight of God make you neither better nor worse. As for preventing the world from taking offence, that is impossible. Darkness must of necessity " hate the light:" but take care that the light be that which proceeds from God, and not from any " sparks of your own kindling." " Walk in wisdom towards them that are without '^ :" " give them no occasion to speak reproachfully'^ :" but so cause " your light to shine before them, that they may be led to glorify your heavenly Father." Thus, though you should not " win them by your good conversation," you may at least hope " to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men^;" and constrain them, in spite of all their mocking, to confess, that " the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour s."]
s Gal iv. 29. t Matt. x. 25.
" Luke xxi. 13. " Unto you : not against you."
* Acts v. 41.
> Dan. xii. 2.
z Wisd. v. 1 —
a Heb. xi. 7.
>' Ps. ci. 2.
<= Dan. vi. 5.
<i Col. iv. 5.
^ 1 Tim. v. 14.
f 1 Pet. ii. 15.
8 Prov. xii. 26.
783.] man's experience known to himself alone. 133