Sin Stigmatized, Part 2 · Section 191
§ 191.
SEcondly, touching perſons.2 Of p… ſons.
Firſt, they account the ſincere Chriſtian, which walkes according to the rule of Gods word, an Hypocrite, Iob. 4.6. and the greateſt Hypocrite, who is a Chriſtian in name only, they acq…it of Hypocriſie, Iſay, 66.3.
2 They thinke ſuch enemies to the state, who are greateſt friends, yea, props of the State; and thoſe friends, who are the greateſt enemies, 1 King. 18.17.18. Gen. 39.5.20. Iob. 22.30. Iſay, 6.13.
3 They account themſelves the moſt valiant and couragious, becauſe they are apt to fight upon every idle quarrell, be it but the lye; which is the greateſt puſillanimity, or, at moſt, but ſtupid and deſperate madneſſe, and ſhewes that their lives are but little worth, ſeeing they will ſell them ſo good cheape; when they are the baſeſt cowards, and vileſt whitelivers in a countrey, not daring to ſuffer for Chriſt, or, in a good cauſe ſo much as a poore Nick-name; how much leſſe would they burne at a ſtake for him (as the Martyrs did, even weake women) which is the only true valour? and yet contrarily, account the righteous, who are as bold as a Lyon, ſo their cauſe be good, Pro. 28.1. the moſt hen-hearted and fearefulleſt.
4 They account Gods people the moſt dumpiſh and melancholy of all others; when indeed, they are, or have cauſe to be the only joyfull people alive, Pſal. 4.7. Heb. 10.34. Iob. 20.5. Eccleſ. 9.7. Matth. 13.44. Luke, 1.44.47. and 2.10. Iohn, 16.22. Acts, 13.52. Rom. 14.17. and 15.13. 2 Cor. 7.4. Gal. 5.22. Iames, 1.2. 1 Iohn, 1.4. &c.
5 They take themſelves to be wiſe, becauſe they are wiſe to doe evill; and thinke the Godly ſimple, becauſe they are wiſe only to that which is good, Rom. 16.19. not conſidering, that wiſdome is as the waters, of which, ſome deſcend from above, and ſome ſpring from beneath, Iames, 3.15.17.
6 Such as by faith and true repentance are purged from their filthineſſe in the blood of Christ, and walke in newneſſe of life, they thinke pure in their owne eyes; though indeed, they eſteeme their very righteouſneſſe but as a menstruous cloth, Iſay, 64.6. when it is themſelves that are pure in their owne conceits, as wanting the light of Gods Spirit, and the eye of faith.3 Their judgement & practiſe is quite contrary to Gods word.
Thirdly, touching their judgement and practiſe joyntly.
Firſt, they glory in their ſhame, Phil. 3.19. I meane, their wickedneſſe, Gen. 19.34. and are aſhamed of that which ſhould be their only glory and crowne of rejoycing, viz. holineſſe.
2 Whereas the mercy of God is the chiefe motive, to make his children feare him, Pſal. 130.4. they make it the only motive, for them to continue in ſinne, Iude, 4.
3 Whereas the Godly render them good for evill; they againe, render them the greateſt evill for the greateſt good, Pſal. 35.12. to 16. Acts, 7.52. to 60. perſecute them to the death, for ſhewing them the way to eternall life, Acts, 5.30. to 34. Ier. 18.20.
4 Even their very mercy and kindneſſe is cruelty, Pro. 12.10. witneſſe the drunkards love, to his friend; the adulterers, to her whom he defiles; the pitifull man, who gives or obtaines a pardon for the murtherer, which not only betrayes the parties ſoule, but makes the whole land guilty of blood; and laſtly, he who makes offers of preferment to a Proteſtant, ſo he will become a Roman Catholike; theſe and many the like are cruell mercies.
5 They reject the Commandements of God, Marke, 7.8.9. that they may obſerve the traditions of men, and give heede unto Spirits of error, and doctrines of Devills, 1 Tim. 4.1.
6 And laſtly, they thinke they doe God good ſervice, in wronging and killing of his children, Iohn, 16.2. as Paul did, in perſecuting; and the Iewes in executing Chriſt.