Issac Newton – Contempt From The World

“They will call thee it may be a hot headed fellow, a Bigot, a Fanatic, a Heretic etc: And tell thee of the uncertainty of these interpretations, and vanity of attending them: Not considering that prophecies concerning our Savior's first coming were of more difficult interpretation, yet God rejected the Jews for not attending better to them. And whither they will believe it or not, there are greater judgments hang over Christians for their remissness then ever the Jews ever felt. But the world loves to be deceived, they will not understand, they never consider equally, but are wholly led by prejudice, interest, the praise of men, and the authority of the Church they live in: as it is plain because all parties keep close to the Religion they have been brought up in, and yet in all parties there are wise and learned as well as fools and ignorant.

There are but a few that seek to understand therein, do it for worldly ends, or that they may defend it, then for worldly, to examine whither it be true with a resolution to choose and profess that which in their judgment appears to be the truest. And as is their faith, so is their practice. For where there are men that do never yield to anger nor seek revenge, nor disobey governors, nor censure or speak evil of them, nor cheat, nor lie, nor swear, nor use God's name idly in their common talk, nor are proud, nor ambitious, nor covet, nor unchaste, nor drink immoderately? Where are they that live like primitive Christians, that love God with all their hearts and with all their souls, and with all their might, and their neighbors as themselves; and in all that they do are well are not led by fashions and principles of Gentility then religion, and where those disagree do not account it rudeness to deport from the former? I fear there are but very few whose righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

This is the guise of the world, therefore trust it not, nor value their censures and contempt. But rather consider it that it is the wisdom of God that His Church should appear despicable to the world to try the faithful. For this end He made it a curse under the Law to hang upon a tree that the scandal of the Cross might be a trial to the Jews; and for a like Trial of the Christians he hath suffered the Apostasy of the latter times, as is declared in calling it the hour of temptation which should be upon the world to try them that dwell upon the earth Rev 3:10. Be not therefore scandalized at the reproaches of the world but rather look upon them as a mark of the true church.”