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Rh For if thou fly devoutly unto the wounds and precious marks of the Lord, thou shalt feel great comfort in tribulation: neither wilt thou much care for the slights of men, and will easily bear the words of those that reproach thee.

5. Christ was also in the world, despised of men, and in His greatest necessity forsaken by His acquaintance and friends, in the midst of reproaches.

Christ was willing to suffer and be despised; and darest thou complain of any thing?

Christ had adversaries and backbiters; and dost thou wish to have all men thy friends and benefactors?

Whence shall thy patience attain her crown, if no adversity befall thee?

If thou art willing to suffer no contradiction, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?

Suffer with Christ, and for Christ, if thou desire to reign with Christ.

6. If thou but once hadst perfectly entered into the secrets of the Lord, and tasted a little of His ardent love; then wouldst thou not regard thine own inconvenience, but wouldst rather rejoice in reproaches, if they should be cast upon thee; for the love of maketh a man to despise himself.

A lover of and of the truth, and a true Christian, and one free from inordinate affections, can freely turn himself unto God, and lift himself above himself in spirit, and rest in full enjoyment.

7. He that judgeth of all things as they are, and not as they are esteemed to be, is truly wise, and taught of God rather than of man.