6. But it is seldom God suffers the storm to rise so high, as torture or death or bonds or imprisonment. Whereas his children are frequently called to endure those lighter kinds of persecution; they frequently suffer the estrangement of kinsfolks; the loss of the friends that were as their own soul. They find the truth of their Lord’s word (concerning the event, though not the design of his coming) [75]_Suppose ye that I am come to give peace upon earth? I tell you nay; but rather division._ And hence will naturally follow loss of business or employment, and consequently of substance. But all these circumstances likewise are under the wise direction of God, who allots to every one what is most expedient for him. 7. But the persecution which attends all the children of God, is that our Lord describes in the following words. _Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you_ (shall persecute, by reviling you) _and say all manner of evil against you, falsely, for my sake_. This cannot fail: it is the very badge of our discipleship: it is one of the seals of our calling. It is a sure portion, entailed on all the children of God: if we have it not, we are bastards and not sons. Strait thro’ _evil report_, as well as _good report_, lies the only way to the kingdom. The meek, serious, humble, zealous lovers of God and man, are of good report among their brethren; but of evil report with the world, who count and treat them _as the filth and off-scouring of all things_. 8. Indeed some have supposed, that before the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, the scandal of the cross will cease: that God will cause Christians to be esteemed and loved, even by those who are as yet in their sins. Yea, and sure it is, that even now, he at sometimes suspends the contempt as well as the fierceness of men: _he makes a man’s enemies to be at peace with him_ for a season, and gives him favour with his bitterest persecutors. But setting aside this exempt case, _the scandal of the cross is_ not yet _ceased_: but a man may say still, _If I please men, I am not the servant of_ Christ: let no man therefore regard that pleasing suggestion (pleasing doubtless to flesh and blood) “That bad men only _pretend_ to hate and despise them that are good, but do indeed love and esteem them in their hearts.” Not so: they may employ them sometimes; but it is for their own profit. They may put confidence in them: for they know their ways are not like other mens. But still they love them not; unless so far as the Spirit of God may be striving with them. Our Saviour’s words are express: _If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you_. Yea, (setting aside what exceptions may be made by the preventing grace or the peculiar providence of God) it hateth them as cordially and sincerely, as ever it did their Master.