Matthew 10
SIBMatthew 10:16
I send you forth as meek, harmless, and unable to defend yourselves, among furious and implacable men. Behave therefore with the utmost prudence, never giving any causeless provocation, nor needlessly exposing yourselves to danger: and be inoffensive, sincere, and meek, that ye may win upon some and turn away the wrath of others
Matthew 10:17
And, after all, never trust yourselves with wicked men, nor expect from them any thing better than persecution
Matthew 10:18
Your sufferings, on account of your professing and preaching my gospel, will be a public testimony to the truth of my doctrines, and of the inexcusable guilt of both Jews and Gentiles who reject them. 26, 27. Since ye must be partakers of my sufferings and glory in due order, never let any thing which your adversaries can do terrify you from, or discourage you in, your work: for your whole doctrine, and your integrity in professing and preaching it, shall be openly manifested to your honour as well as mine, in the spread and success of the gospel, and in the last judgment. Whatever therefore I privately teach you, preach ye to others, in the most plain, bold, and public, manner. 34, 35. I am not come to spread outward peace and prosperity through the world, as many expect; nay, through the corruption of their own hearts, many will make my gospel of peace with God and men an occasion of terrible hatred and persecution against the steady believers and preachers of it
Matthew 10:37-39
And he that is not willing to incur hatred and persecution, even from his nearest relations, for the sake of my doctrines and institutions, and that he may follow my example, cannot be justly owned as one of my disciples, or expect a share in my eternal glory. He, who through the fear of man preserves his life and temporal advantages at the expence of his religion, his conscience, and regard to me, shall lose the blessing and true comfort of these, if not the things themselves, and shall fall short of eternal happiness; but he who risks or loses his temporal life, or the enjoyments of it through his conscientious adherence to my truths, shall find real happiness and comfort therein, and be graciously rewarded with everlasting life in the world to come
Matthew 10:40-42
Whatever kind reception your persons and doctrines meet with, shall be accounted as given to me and my Father and whatever kindness is done to any of my ministers or disciples, as such, from faith in and regard to me, shall be richly and graciously rewarded in the present, and especially in the eternal state. 4
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. X.—Christ graciously provides preachers when there is great need for them and success to be expected. And it is necessary that such be prepared by fellowship with, and instruction from, him; that their call should be plainly manifested to themselves and others; and that they should assist one another in their work. But, alas, that in the best of times there should be traitors to Jesus among them! The great design of his gospel is to overthrow the power of Satan in and over men: and in his grace there is an effectual remedy for every evil. But sovereign is his giving or withholding his special favours. Perpetually uniform are his truths, and quickening to diligence the consideration of his approaches in grace or glory.—By no carnal cares, by no greediness of filthy lucre, no peevish moroseness, no intimacy with persons of dishonourable characters, by no infamous reproaches, no fear of men, no dread of persecution, and no regard to carnal relations, ought ministers of the gospel to be ever hindered in their work. But they have great need of a fixed contentment, cautious prudence, and constant dependance on God as their Father. If they be faithful, prudent, and active, Jesus will protect, provide for, and honourably reward, them, and every kindness done to them. And it is at the dreadful peril of their hearers if they either neglect their subsistence, contemn their messages, or persecute their persons. Whatever is done to Jesus’ favourites, he takes as done to himself and his Father. And, if it be honourable to suffer with Christ, what must it be to be glorified together, and reign with him on his throne!