But now the _scorner_, yea the godly being (weak) reproved burst out in wrath. Thus not only _Ahab_ imprisons _Micaiah_, and _Herod_, _John the Baptist_, but _Asa_ also claps up fast the reproving Prophet, and the best of _Gods children_ are subject to such sad _distempers_, when either a mistake of _judgment_, or a _pang_ of _passion_ sinfully hinders the _receit_ and _working_ of the _Reproofs_ of the _Almighty_, which are wholsome heavenly _potions_ intended by him the _Father_ of mercies, for our good, who ever be the _cup_, the _vial_, or _instrument_. [Sidenote: Naturall wisdome goes far, but not so far as spirituall.] _Obj._ Many _Philosophers_ by _naturall wisdome_, and many _civill_ and _morall_ men, out of the _principles_ of _civillity_ and _morality_, and sometimes for some private ends, will bear a _Reproof_ with _patience_: And hence that of _Solomon_, rebuke a wise _man_, and he will love thee: whence it may seem that men by strength of _wisdome_ may receive in _love_, and _profit_ by a _Reprehension_. I answer, _Gods children_ (as well as naturall men) may also act from _Rules_ of _Reason_, and naturall wisedom, but withall they act from an higher _ground_, and _principle_, that is they hear they see _Gods wise_, and _holy_ permitting hand in the foulest _mouth_; So _David_ acknowledgeth _God_ in _Shimeis_ railing, and _Hezekiah_ in _Rabsheka_ his _provocations_, and _blasphemies_. [Sidenote: Reproaches send Gods people unto God.] 2dly. _Gods children_ by _reproofs_, by _slanders_, and _reproaches_, are sent to _God_: So _David_ as a figure of _Christ Jesus_, and so _Moses_ also, when the people in their _murmurings_, reproached him, as the _cause_ or _occasion_ of their _miseries_, he runs to _God_, and praies even for those _unworthy_, and _unthankfull_ men. Lastly, with reference to our walking with others, it is an _argument_ of great strength of _grace_, when _glory_ of the _Lord_ and the salvation of _Gods_ people is so great, and so _dear_ in our eyes, that we can with (upon _supposition_ of them two) that we not onely loose our _temporall_, but our eternall _state_ and _welfare_: Hence those two famous and _wonderfull speeches_ of those two glorious stars _Moses_ and _Paul_: Blot me out of thy _book_ saith _Moses_: And I could wish to be accursed from _Christ_, saith _Paul_, for _Israels_ sake. _Ob._ But can such a _wish_ be lawfull though for the _gain_ and _glory_ of _Christ_, since to be accursed from _Christ_ cannot be without sin against _Christ_?