A Treatise of Self-Denial, Treatise · Chapter 48
CHAP. XLVIII. Reputation of being Orthodox, how far—
8. ANother piece of vain-glory to be denied, is, The Reputation of being Orthodox, or of the right religion. The thing it ſelf is in the Eſſentials of abſolute neceſſity to ſalvation: But the Reputation of it, is a thing that we muſt much deny our ſelves in. For it commonly falls out in moſt of the world, that the thing it ſelf, and the Reputation of it, are inconſiſtent: and no man can be Orthodox and of the right Religion, but he muſt be taken to be heterodox and of the wrong Religion: For the wrong is in moſt places taken for the right. But through the great Mercy of God, it is not commonly ſo in England, nor in the Reformed Churches abroad, in any great and neceſſary points. Among us Truth hath the advantage of Reputation! and ſo may it continue while the Sun endureth! But yet there is uſe for this part of ſelf-denial even with us. We converſe among many Sects and Parties of various Opinions; and all of them are Confident that they are in the right, and that we are Erroneous and againſt the Truth: ſo ſay the Papiſts; and ſo ſay the Libertines, and many others▪ And there is no way to gain the Reputation of being ſound and Orthodox with any of theſe men but by turning to them, and forſaking the truth, and ceaſing to be Orthodox indeed. In Spain, or Italy, or with Engliſh Papiſts, you muſt be accounted Hereticks, or yield to hereſie, you muſt either ceaſe to be true Catholicks, or be content to be eſteemed no Catholicks: You have your choice whether you will re…lly be Schiſmaticks, or be eſteemed and called Schiſmaticks. And ſo you will be uſed among moſt Sects, who judge of Truth and Error according to their own deluded apprehenſions. Yea, and among the Orthrdox …deed, becauſe they alſo have their errors, and are not Orthodox in all things, you muſt look for the ſame meaſure in thoſe particulars wherein they are miſtaken. For thinking themſelves in the right, they will too often take it for their duty to let fly at others, as erroneous or dangerous perſons that are not of their mind: And in this miſtake, they think they do God ſervice to defame diſſenters, and raiſe jealouſies and ſuſpicions of them, and bid men take heed of them, as of men that hold ſome dangerous opinions; when it is themſelves that are deceived, and ſhould turn thoſe jealouſies and cautions homewards. In ſuch Caſes as theſe it is a hard ſtrait that a ſervant of Chriſt is put to; when he muſt either err or be ſuppoſed to err. But the principal temptation lieth in thoſe Countries, where Error hath got the major vote, and is patronized both by Book and Sword, and cuſtom hath fixed the name of Truth upon the fouleſt Hereſies, and the name of Hereſie upon ſaving Truths: Here a poor Chriſtian is ſorely tempted and put to a lamentable ſtrait. O ſaith he, if I were reputed but to be baſe, or beggarly, or contemptible, I could bear it; but Hereſie and Schiſm are ſuch odious things that no man ſhould be patient under the imputation of them. Anſw. Are they ſuch odious things? Take heed of them then leſt out of your own-mouths you be judged. If you think the matter ſo ſmall that you will rather be an Heretick or Sciſmatick than be called or accounted one, it ſeems you take it for no odious thing. Is the name or the thing more odious to you? Had you rather be erroneous, or be thought to be ſo? If the Thing be moſt odious to you, the Name will be the more tolerable. But if the Name be moſt odious to you, it is Diſhonour and not Error or Schiſm that you are againſt. Had you rather part with Truth and Religion, or with the name & Reputation of them? If you ſet ſo much by ſelf and ſo little by Truth, as to let go Truth for fear of being thought to let it go; for ſhame do not take on you to be Lovers of Truth but of your ſelves; nor haters of Error, but of Diſhonour.
And conſider further that you may loſe the Reputation of being Orthodox, and Catholick, and of the right Religion, without loſing any of the favour of God; nay it may be a ſuffering for his ſake that may advance you in his favour, and aſſure you of the Reward of Martyrs. For ſaith Chriſt, Mat. 5. 11, 12. [Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile you and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you falſly for my ſake. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your Reward in heaven: for ſo perſecuted they the Prophets that were before you] So that you ſee the thing that you ſo abhor, is matter of exceeding joy: Even to be falſly counted an Heretick or Erroneous for the ſake of Chriſt and Truth: we are bleſſed when we are falſly reviled as Erroneous, and have all theſe evil ſayings againſt us. But to be ſuch indeed, is to be accurſed: Though the name of Hereſie will ſtand with the ſpecial Love of God, yet Hereſie it ſelf he utterly abhors. And whether do you think it is better to part with truth and the Favour of God with it; or with the name and Reputation of Truth, while we keep both Truth and the favour of God? Deny your ſelves then even as to the Reputation of Faith and Orthodoxneſs; For you will certainly deny the Faith, if you cannot deny the name of it, to preſerve it.