slights of men, and will easily bear words of detraction. Christ was also in the world, despised of men, and in greatest necessity, forsaken by His acquaintances and friends, in the midst of slanderers. Christ willed to suffer and be despised;† and do you dare complain of any man? Christ had adversaries and backbiters; and do you wish to have all men your friends and benefactors? How will your patience attain her crown† if no adversity befall you?
If you are willing to suffer nought that is against you, how will you be the friend of Christ? Be strong with Christ, and for Christ, if you desire to reign with Christ. If you had but once perfectly entered into the secrets of the Lord Jesus, and tasted a little of His ardent love, then you would care nothing for your own convenience, or inconvenience, but rather would rejoice at slander, for the love of Jesus makes a man despise himself.
A lover of Jesus and of the truth, and a true inward Christian, and one free from unruly affections, can freely turn to God, rise above self, and joyfully rest in God.
He to whom all things taste as they are, and not as they are said or esteemed to be, is truly wise, and taught rather of God than men.† He who
can live inwardly, and makes small reckoning of things without, neither
