they knew that it was necessary for the truth to be victorious: and that even
CHAPTER 5: Persecution Reproach and the Worlds Praise
they knew that it was necessary for the truth to be victorious: and that even though it was assailed on all sides, it was nevertheless necessary for them to see it without declining in any way.
Therefore, as we see that the disciples of God persisted, even though the church was subjected to these troubles, let us also know that when there are still false teachers around today, it is then that we must hold on: and must not say like these fickle people: And in whom shall we believe? So let us look to God, remember ancient facts, and consider how he has always led his church: and then for our part let us walk in righteousness and humility: and it is certain that in doing so God will not allow us to be deceived. So we must do: and when we see that the world will be envenomed against the Gospel, let us nevertheless hold fast, and let us know that it is to follow the prophets, and then to follow the Apostles and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. So today we have more confirmation that the disciples did not have: because they had to look only at the prophets. Now we have the Apostles, and the disciples, and all the order that continued. We therefore have today a much greater help to strengthen us, and to not be lost when we are unjustly afflicted, even by those who falsely claim the name of God, and who want to be reputed as supporters of the church. Now in this doctrine there was still some regret, if Jesus Christ had not acknowledged what we read in Luke. For even if the faithful are taught that they must be prepared to suffer persecution, to be rejected by the world, and even vituperated, and put in reproach and infamy, as evildoers, if they are not insensitive however when they come and then later to make comparison: Yes, but here are the despisers of God who are held to be good people, everyone will applaud them, everyone favors them.
And yet we are held like the filth of the world, that everyone revels and despises us, that we are even hated? and yet here are the wicked who have abandoned themselves completely in contempt of God, to lead a dissolute life, as if they wanted to overthrow all order, these nevertheless are maintained and favored, they are welcomed everywhere. And when they are living in luxury, and we consider that their life appears supremely happy, we must meanwhile mourn and weep, be hungry and thirsty, while they feast. This then could still cause regret to the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, as in the Psalm which was sung we see this speech well expressed: for David confesses that his foot was as if on ice, and that it was hardly necessary that he was not fallen at all, when he saw the wicked enjoying such prosperity, that they were exempt from the ordinary miseries of life: and even as when they afflicted others no one dared look at