The world offended

And their labor was not in vain in the Lord. His word ran and was glorified. It grew mightily and prevailed. But so much the more did offenses prevail also. The world in general was offended, because they testified of it that its works were evil. The men of pleasure were offended, not only because these men were made, as it were, to reprove their thoughts.

He professes, they said, to have the knowledge of God. He calls himself the child of the Lord. His life is not like other men's. His ways are of another fashion. He abstains from our ways, as from filthiness. He makes his boast that God is his Father.

But much more, they were offended because so many of their companions were taken away, and would no more run with them to the same excess of riot. The men of reputation were offended, because, as the gospel spread, they declined in the esteem of the people, and because many no longer dared to give them flattering titles, or to pay man the homage due to God only. The men of trade called one another together and said: Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth. But you see and hear that these men have persuaded much people, and turned them away, so that this craft of ours is in danger to be set at nothing.

Above all, the men of religion, so called, the men of outside religion, the saints of the world, were offended, and ready at every opportunity to cry out: Men of Israel, help. We have found these men. Pestilent fellows, movers of sedition throughout the world. These are the men who teach all men, everywhere, against the people, and against the law.