(John Angell James, "The Sin of Scoffing at Religion" 1824)

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness
 sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
 when others revile you and persecute you and utter all
 kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and
 be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!" Matt. 5:10-12

Consider it your honor to be persecuted for righteousness sake.

The richest laurel that can adorn your brow is the scorn of fools!

The praise of the wicked is censure--and their satire is praise.

Every feeble mind can scoff, but only the wise man can bear it well.

The scorner is below a man; but the man who bears scorn
patiently is like an angel.

Instead of indulging in revenge, exercise forgiveness!

You have reason rather to be grateful to the scoffer, than to
be angry with him. His foul breath, though it seems to tarnish
your reputation for awhile, yet being gently rubbed off by
the hand of love, shall only prepare it for a brighter luster.

And it shall be proved hereafter that the scorner was the
occasion of adding one more gem to the crown of glory
which shall adorn your brow with unfading honor!

Pity him, for he is indeed more an object of your pity than
of your contempt. Thus prove to the scoffer that the religion
which he ridicules, subdues the turbulent and angry passions,
teaches its possessor to forgive iniquities against himself, and
implants the godlike disposition of returning good for evil.