A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 2 · Section 5
3. Blasphemers. foreign.
This sin is fitly linkt to the former, Sins go not single, but they beget one another; Self-love begets Covetousnesse, Covetousnesse Pride, aud Pride Blasphemy. So that Blasphemy is the genuine daughter of Pride;Superbiae proles blasphemia. Espene. when men have high conceits of themselves, they are oft punisht with a fall, and Pride being properly a spirituall sin, is punisht with spirituall judgements; God gives them up to a reprobate Sense, so that they fall from one sin to another, till at last they become Blasphemers.
2. Proud persons, are impatient, discontented persons, they can beare nothing: if God crosse them, or curse them (as he delights to resist the Proud) they presently fly in his face with Blasphemies. Revel. 16.9.11.27. as Iobs Wife would have had him do. Iob 2.9. As a vile person utters Villany. Isay 32.6. So a proud Atheist utters Blasphemy.
Quest. But what kind of Blasphemy doth the Apostle here mean, when he saith, Men shall be blasphemers?
Answ. Blasphemy in Scripture is taken many wayes, but especially two.
1. Largely, and generally, for any contumely or indignity which is done to men: so, reproachfull speeches, tending to the disgrace of another mans name,foreign, neminem blasphemare. Blasphemia foreign, qui laedit alterius famam. is in Scripture called Blasphemy. Titus 3.2. that they speak evill of no man; in the Originall 'tis, To blaspheme no man, and so much the derivation of the word imports, viz. to hurt the good name of another.
2. 'Tis taken strictly and most properly for opprobrious words which are uttered to the reproach of God, his Word, his Works, his Spirit, his Ordinances,Maledici. Beza and Diodate. his Ministers, his People. Now, though some learned men do take the words in the former sense, viz. for defamers, and slanderers; yet, our Translation renders it truly from the Originall, Blasphemers; as relating to the highest kind of evill speaking, even to all manner of Blasphemy against the God of Heaven. In all ages there have been such, but in the last dayes men shall attain to a higher Degree in this Devillish Art of Blasphemy. That the word is thus to be restrained, is cleare from the Context,foreign, (i e.) in ipsum Deum maledici, nam in hoc sensu eminentiore sumendam esse hîc hanc …ocem, indicat ordo. Grotius. Per blasphemos intelligimus qui falsa aut impia de Deo loquuntur & sentiunt. Aquinas. both before and after. The Apostle useth a kind of Gradation.
1. He tells us, men shall be Self-lovers, Silver-lovers, Boasters, Proud, insulting over their Brethren, and, which is worse, they spare not God himself, but are Blasphemers of him.
2. The Apostle in V. 3. mentions false accusers, slanderers, and despisers of good men, which he would not (in all rationall probability) have done, if the word Blasphemy had been here restrained onelyonly to slanderers. So that I take the word here to signify Blasphemy against God himself; and this hath many Branches.
1. Gods name is blasphemed Addendo, by adding or attributing that to God, which his soul abhorres. As that he is the Authour of sin, and approves of sinne. Psal. 50.21. Mal. 2.17. or that he is cruel, unjust, improvident, not regarding how the affaires of the world go. This is the blasphemy of Epicures.
2. Detrahendo, by denying God that honour which is due to him; as when we deny his Omnipotence, and say God is not able to deliver; this was the blasphemy of the King of Assyria. Divina Attributa in De… sunt Accidentia & qualitates, secundum Socinianos. V. Hornebeck contra Socinian. l. 2. c 4. Blasphemias fecerunt magnas. Mont. & Vulg.2 Chron. 32.17. or when men deny his Omniscience, Omnipresence, Eternity, Immensity, Immutability, and so upon the point deny all Gods Attributes, as the Socinians do: who hold that the Attributes are not Essentiall, but Accidents and Qualities in God. So when men give the Honour due to the Creator, to the Creature, as the Israelites who called their Golden Calfe, God; this is called a great provocation, and in the Originall, Blasphemy. Nehem. 9.18.
3. When men abuse the glorious Names and Titles of God, by prophane cursing, swearing, forswearing, murmuring, fretting, and storming a… Gods dispensations, this is to set our mouthes against Heaven. Psalm 73.9. and with Sennacherib, to rage against God. 2 Kings 19.28. Levit. 24.11, 25. Iob 3.1. Ier. 20.14.
4. When men raile on Christ, and revile him, as the Jewes did who lookt upon him as a meer man, and a sinner; as one that was mad, and had a Devill. Mat. 27.39.63. Iohn 9.24. and 10.20.
5. Gods Name is blasphemed, when men speak contumeliously, and d…sgracefully of the Word of God, as if 'twere false, imperfect, and no Rule for our lives. Or of the Workes of God, saying, This might have been otherwise, this might have been mended, &c.
6. When men revile the Magistrate, vvho is Gods Vice-gerent, this is called Blasphemy, 1 Kings 21.10. Naboth hath blasphemed God, foreign, blasphemantes eos. V. Schooles Guard. Rule 56.yea, and the King. So 2 Peter 2.10. speaking evill of dignities, Blaspheming them saith the Originall. (i. e.) They make it their work, it is their Trade to goe up and downe reviling those in authority. So much the Participle of the Present Tense implyes: this is forbidden. Exod. 22.28.
7. Such as slander and Disgrace the Ministers of Christ, not so much for any personall defects, but because of their office, because they are Ministers of Christ; now Christ takes the contumelies done to his Embassadours, as done to himselfe. Luke 10.16. They are Christs Organs, and primary instruments, to promote and propagate his Glory in the world; they are his Heralds to proclaim his Name and Truth unto the world,See my Sal Terrae. cap. 8. and he will not suffer any to abuse them unrevenged. Thus when the Apostles were defamed, it was called Blasphemy. 1 Cor. 4.13. Rom. 3.8.
8. When men calumniate and traduce the servants of God, meerly for serving him: when they scorne and scoffe at Saints for their sanctity, this is called blasphemy. 1 Pet. 4.4. they speak evill of you, foreign, blasphemeing you. Such were those. Iob 17.6. and 30.9. Psal. 69.12. and 71.9. Ezek. 5.15. Lam. 3.16. Nahum. 3.6. Mat. 11.18. 1 Cor. 4.9.
9. When men traduce and reproach Gods Ordinances as low, empty, mean things,Via veritatis (i. e.) vera & orthodoxa fide… & religio. Laurent. so did those false Teachers, 2 Pet. 2.2. by whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken off. [foreign, blasphemabitur] the Christian Religion is the right way to salvation, yet those by their calumnies laboured to turn men from it. So Acts 13.45. and 18.6. Iames 2.7. Revel. 2.9.
10. When such as professe Christianity, live loosely and licentiously, when they live not up to their principles, nor answerable to their holy profession, they cause Gods Name to be blasphemed. 2 Sam. 12.14. Ezek. 36.22, 23. Rom, 2.24. and so do those that apostatize, and fall from the truth to Idolatry; they do, in an high degree, cause Gods to be blasphemed. Levit. 18.21. Isay 63.7. Ezek. 20.27.28. they disparage the Lords Pastures, and do interpretatively say, There is no lovelinesse, truth, or goodnesse in the wayes and worship of God, and therefore they forsake it; what greater blasphemy! Thus Hymoneus and Alexander, making shipwrack of Faith, and a good Conscience, are said to blaspheme. 1 Tim. 1. ult. and if those whom Paul peresecuted, that did out of fear renounce the Faith, are yet said to blaspheme. Acts 16.11. oh how sad is their condition, and how high their blasphemy, who do electively, deliberately, and wil…ully forsake Christ, and his truth, without any such tentation and triall.See a Pithy descript?on of Blasphem… against the H. G. in Wilsons Diction. Edit. ult. on the word Blasphemy. These come near to that irresistible blasphemy, and upardonable sin against the Holy Ghost. When men through Ignorance, & for want of Light, shall persecute Christ and his people; this blasphemy is pardonable, as we see in Paul, who was a persecuter & a blasphemer, but he obtained mercy, because he did it ignorantly. 1 Tim. 1.13. So did many of the Jews. Acts 3.17. But when men shall wittingly, willingly, maliciously, and despitefully oppose Christ, and his truth, as the Scribes and Pharises did, this is that blasphemy, which shall never be forgiven. Luke 12.10. Mark 3.29.
Let us now apply this Character of the last times, to our times, and see if all these 10. kinds of blasphemy, may not be found amongst us. The Lord is my Record, that I take no pleasure in the Devils victories, now in raking in this loathsome dung-hill. I desire to write with Teares, what I have read with trembling. I could heartily wish that the Land were clear of all those blasphemies, with which it is charged. But alas, if we go about to plead not guilty in this kind, we shall but double our guilt. Our blasphemies, and blasphemers, our Copps, and Coppins, our Colliers, and Nailers, our Foxes, and Farme-worths, our Biddles, and Bests (I might say Beasts) are taken notice of by Forreiners,D. Maresius, and D. Arnoldus, two learned German Professors, have taken notice of the Blasphemies of our Biddle. as well as by Natives: There needs no secret search, or digging for these abominations, they are Publisht and Printed to the view of all, so that they cannot be concealed, or denied. Had they kept their blasphemies in secret, we had been silent, but since they have been so impudent, as to Print blasphemy, it can justly offend none, if we Print against them: 'Tis fit the Remedy should be as large as the Malady. Since Generalls are no charge, let us descend to particulars.
1. Are there not some amongst us, that have Printed, that God is the Authour of sin; not only of the action, but also of the Ataxy, Anomy, Obliquity, and Sinfulnesse of the Action.See London Ministers Testimony against Heresies. p. 6. Are there not some that accuse him of cruelty, and unjustice in his Decrees?
2. Are there not others that deny God in his Attributes with the Socinians? and others that give out they are infallible, and equall to God, having no sin in them? Thus Nailer, Fox, and the rest of that Heretical, accursed, blasphemous Quaking Crew. Are there not such Ranters amongst us, that by hellish cursing and swearing, tear in pieces that great and dreadfull name of the Lord our God? Are there not such amongst us as have reviled Jesus Christ, and with the Arrians and Socinians, make him a man, whilest they publish to the world, that themselves are Deified, and become Gods? they make themselves perfect, and Christ imperfect. Have we not those that speak basely of the sacred Scriptures, Cry down Magistracy, Rayle on the Ministery, Revile Reall Saints? Lastly, is not Gods Name blasphemed, and that in England by the loose lives, and licentious Tenets even of Professors? and this is one sad aggravation of the blasphemies of our time, that many Professors are turned Blasphemers. Those that have been nurst up in the bosome of the Church, for 20, 30, 40. years, and had a form of godlinesse, and (as in Charity we hoped) some of them had the power of it: yet now are turned blasphemous Apostates, and have discovered their rottennesse by persecuting the Truth, which sometimes they protest. Had they been open enemies, Turks and Tartars, that had thus blasphemed, it might have been easier born, but lo these are the wounds wherevvith Christ vvas vvounded in the house of his (seeming) friends. Zach. 13.6. they that eat of his bread, and drink of his cup, have lift up the heel against him. Had he been thus blasphemed and derided in Egypt, it had been no vvonder. Hos. 7. ult. but to be thus abused and abased in England, vvhere the Gospel hath been preacht above 100. years! for us vvhom the Lord hath made his darling Nation, whom he hath loved and tendred above all the Nations in the world, for vvhom he hath broken the Povver and Policy of mighty enemies, and hath given such successe by Sea and Land, that all the Nations round about us, stand amazed; for us, after all these free and undeserved favours, to blaspheme the God of our mercies, and vvith the Beast, to crop the tree that shelters us, and bite the hand that feeds us; is an Act of the highest ingratitude, and basest rebellion in the world. Deut. 32.6. Good turnes aggravate unkindnesses, and our guilt is increased by our obligations. Solomons Idolatry vvas far worse then that of his wives, because he had better breeding, and God had appeared twice unto him, 1 Kings 11.9. As our Saviour said sometimes to the Jews. Iohn 10.32. Many good works have I shewed you, for which of these do ye stone me? So may the Lord say to England, O England, See 32. abominable Errors and Heresies lately sprung up in Mr. Bartlets Balsom. p. 63. London Ministers Testimony, and 176. in Mr. Edwards's Cangreen. Part. 1. p. 15. &c.I have been to thee a Rock, and a Refuge, a Sun, and a Shield, I have wrought wonders for thee in Church and State, by Sea and Land; for which of these favours dost thou blaspheme my Name, deny my Word, and overthrow the very Foundations of Religion? hath the Lord been a barren wildernesse to us, or what iniquity have we or our Fathers found in him, that we should rebell against him? Ier. 2.5. as the Apostle said sometimes to the Galatians, am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? So is God our enemy, because he hath given us his truth, and all the tokens of his love? what could he do more for England then he hath done? if therefore instead of the grapes o… Faith and Obedience, we bring forth the wild grapes of Heresy and disobedience, what can we expect but to have our Vine-yard laid waste?
2. A second Aggravation of our horrid blasphemies, is this. That they have broke forth, since we have made a Covenant to the contrary, and that in the most solemn manner, that ever any Covenant was taken in this Land, with hands lifted up to the most high God, That we would extirpate Heresy, Schisme, and profanenesse, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the Power of Godlinesse. But alas, many of us act as if we had taken a Covenant to promote them.
3. Instead of an extirpation of Schisme and Heresy, there is too much connivence, indulgence, and toleration given them, and that by some of them whose hands are at this day in Print, set to the solemn League and Covenant. Durst Hereticks and Blasphemers be so bold to Preach, and Print as they do, if they had not (too) indulgence from some in Authority? Oh that they would no longer bear the sword in vain, but as they are a Terrour to Drunkards,Qui non vetat p…ccare cum possit, jubet. Qui non corrigit resecand…s, c…mmittit. Swearers, Thieves, and Vagabonds, so the Lord make them a Terrour to those that are Drunk with Heresies and Blasphemies. That Magistrate which hath power to punish such offenders, and yet spares them, becomes partaker with them. Men post the punishment of such offenders one from another; the Magistrate saith, Let the Minister reprove it, the Minister sayes, Let the Hearers reform it, and they say, Let the offerder answer it. Thus, when the Sea breaks in, all the Borderers contend whose right it is to mend the damme; but whilest they strive much, and do nothing, the Sea hereby gets further in, and drowns the Country. The Application is easie. 'Tis long since observed, that England hath golden Lawes, but leaden executioners; and that we yet want one Law. viz. A Law to bind Magistrates to put all the rest of the Lawes in execution.
Vse. Let us be deeply affected with the blasphemies, and dishonours, that are done unto our God, in the land of our Nativity, Let's mourn for all the abominations, and specially for the prodigious blasphemies which are found in the midst of us. Let them deeply affect and afflict our hearts; if we love God, they will do so, for Love is very tender of any wrong, that is offered to the party beloved. Thus Moses burnes with an holy zeal, when he heard that one had blasphemed God, he puts him in Ward, and at last stones him to death. Levit. 24.11, 12. David hated such persons with a perfect hatred, and counts them as his enemies. Psal. 139, 20, 21, 22. Hezekiah hearing of Rabsheka's blasphemies, Rent his cloathes. Isay 37.1. So did Paul and Barnabas, Acts 14.14. when they heard the blasphemy of the Lystrians, crying them up for Gods, they rent their cloathes, to expresse the rending of their hearts with grief and indignation, at what they heard. And wicked Iezabel's proclaiming a Fast upon the false accusation of Naboth for blasphemy. 1 Kings 21.10. may teach us to be zealous against Reall blasphemy. So the High Priest rending his clothes for conceited blasphemy. Matth. 26.65. if every one of us should do so, when we hear God and his Gospel blasphemed, we should have more rent then whole clothes, and scarce a whole garment to be found amongst us.
2. Let us shew our dislike of blasphemy, by reproving the broachers of it. This is the greatest love that we can shew them; Hence we are commanded not to hate our Brother, but rebuking, to rebuke him, (i. e.) freely, plainly, soundly, and sincerely. Levit. 19.17. The converted Thief reproves his fellow for blasphemy. Luke 23.39, 40. So when the Devill began to utter blasphemy, and to challenge all the world for his own, and began to call for worship, our Saviour cuts him short, and in a holy detestation bids him begone, for he would reason no longer with him. Matth. 4.10. yet if we perceive that men are incorrigible, and incurable, Prudence must be used; we may not give holy things to dogs, which will but rend us for our pains. Mat. 7.6. reprove not such, lest you increase the flame, instead of quenching it. This was one Reason why Hezekiah commanded his Commissioners, when they heard the blasphemous Menaces of Rabsheka, not to answer a word, deeming it in vain to make any Reply, when it would but incite him to further rage. Isay 36.21. But where we see any to be teachable or Tractable, and may be wonne by our Reproofes; of those let us take compassion, pulling them out of this flame. They will one day blesse God for you, as David did for Abigail, when she stopt him in a way of sin. 1 Sam. 25.32, 33.
3. Let all that professe Religion, be exact and circumspect in all their wayes and walking, lest they cause the Name of God to be blasphemed. The world is apt to accuse us withou… a cause, as the Devil did Iob; and to call us blasphemers, as Iezabell did Naboth; 1 Kings 21.10.13. and the Pharises Christ. Matth. 9.3. Iohn 10.33. and the Jewes Steven. Acts 6.11. 13. when themselves were the persons guilty of that crime. So those Hypocrites that called themselves Jewes, and seemed to worship God, when they were the Synagogue of Satan, and worshipt the Devill; yet could blaspheme and revile the true Saints. Revel. 2, 9. A spot in fine Cambrick is soon seen, and one dead flye marres a whole boxe of pretious oyntment, when a hundred may fall into a barrell of pitch,Ecce quales sunt qui Christum colunt! Salvian. and no body regards it. The sinnes of a David will quickly cause Gods Name to be blasphemed, and therefore Gods hand vvas sharp upon him, and upon the Jewes, rather then the Gentiles. Ram. 2.9.24. Hence the Apostle exhorts Wives and Servants to walk as becomes the Gospel, that the Name of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2.5. 1 Tim. 6.1. Some are afraid of blasphemous words, but how many live blasphemous lives?Hi sunt Christiani ad contumeliam Christi, they praise God with their words, and reproach him with their covetous, cruell, unrighteous conversations. These are botches in Christianity. Let the falls of others make us fear, when Cedars fall, let the Firre-tree howle. Zach. 11.2. The Falling-sicknesse was never so common as now. One falls to Atheisme, another to Papisme, one falls to Quakerisme, and another to Rantisme. How many professors, that could have pull'd out their eyes, to have done us good, formerly; yet now be ready to pull out their Ministers eyes? Many that prayed, and prized Ordinances formerly, yet now have cast off all, and are become scandalous both in their Practice, and in their Principles. This is a Lamentation. and should be to us all matter of Lamentation: for this our eyes should run down with Tears, even for the slain (in a spirituall sense) of the daughter of Gods people. Ier. 9.9.
4. Instead of blaspheming,Virtus blaesphemiae contraria est foreign. get a habit of good speaking, God loves to do good to those that speak good of his Name. As in our hearts, we should have High and Reverentiall thoughts of God, so with our words we should Blesse him; that is the proper use, and end of the Tongue. Psal. 51, 15. Iames 3.9. with the Tongue we bless and praise God, declaratively, and God blesseth us imparatively; and this is the advantage a man hath, above other creatures, that we can be distinct and explicite in Gods praise. Psalm 145.10. all thy works praise thee, and thy Saints shall blesse thee. The creatures offer the matter, but the Saints publish it; their Tongue is as the Pen of a ready Writer,Gloria (i. e.] Instrumentum piae gloriationis in Deo, sive organum quo Deum glorificamus. Met. Sub. Polanus. See my Scholes Guard. Rule 23, to set forth Gods praise. Psal. 45.2. Hence our Tongue is called our Glory. [Psal. 16.9. and 30.13. and 57.9. Gen. 49.6. what David calls his Glory, the Apostle applyes to the Tongue, Acts 2.26.] because with it we should praise and glorify God. Let your words be alwayes modest and Gracious. The Jewes were so carefull of their speeches, and so abhorred blasphemy, that they would not name the word, but by an Antiphrasis, and Euphemisme, they called it by the contrary, and oft put the word Blessing, for cursing and blaspheming; and this did not only holy Iob 1.5. but even wicked Iezabel, 1 King. 21.10. & Iobs wife, Iob 2.9. yea the devil himself. Iob 1.11. we should Answer all Satans Temptations this way, as pious and couragious Polycarp did the Pro-Consul, who bid him deny and blaspheme Christ, and he should live. He sweetly answered, Fourscore and six years have I served Christ, Octoginta sex annos illi jam servivi & nihil me laesit unquam, quâ igitur conscientiâ maledicerem & blasphemarem regem meum, qui salutem mihi dedit. Euseb. Hist. lib. 4. cap. 15.neither hath he ever offended me in any thing, how then can I revile my King, that hath thus kept me? It had been good for wicked men if they had never any Tongues, rather then to abuse them to the dishonour of that God that gave them. Now since the sin of Blasphemy is Epidemical, and very common in the land, I shall set down some considerations against it.
1. Consider that the sinne of Blasphemy is one of the highest and most horrid sins in the world.Blasphemiae vitium omnium peccatorum ex suo genere est gravissimum. Aquinas. 12 ae. Q. 13. art. 3. Quo major persona, hoc & injuria major. Some sinnes are more directly and immediately against mens own persons, as idleness, prodigality, &c. some are against other mens persons,Nakab (i. e.) perforavit, confi…it. Lev. 24.11 as coveting, lying, slandering; but the Blasphemer fights directly against God: Other sinners strike at God, but this pierceth him, and strikes through his name with his maledictions, & execrations, and therefore God will have him stricken dead.Naats, contempsit, irritavit, blasphemavit. Psal. 107.11. Levit. 24.10, 11. Isay 36.6. Hab. 3.14.
2. 'Tis an high contempt of of God, 'tis a desperate flying in his face, and charging him with folly, cruelty, and Tyranny. Iob 1. ult. This provokes God to wrath, so that he beares not with blasphemers as he doth with other sinners, but cu…s them off more speedily, as a people ripe for ruine.
3. It argues the highest Ingratitude in the world. For a man like a mad dog, to fly in the face of his Master, who keeps and feeds him, and to use that Heart and Tongue which God made for his praise, to the dispraise and disparagement of his Creator, to load him with injuries, who every day loads us with mercies, and to curse him, who blesseth us. What greater Ingratitude? These crucify Christ afresh to themselves. H…b. 6.6. and are in a worse condition then many of those who did actually crucify him; for they did it ignorantly, but these willfully against light and conviction. 'Tis infinite patience that the earth doth not open her mouth, and swallow them up alive; and if the rocks rent, the fonndations of the earth were moved, and the Sun hid its self, when Christ was crucified and blasphemed,Magis effendunt qui blasphemant Christum regnantem in coelis, quàm qui crucifixerunt ambulantem in terris. Aug. by many that knew him not: Oh how doth the whole Creation groan under the burden of such, as crucify the Lord afresh, and wittingly, and maliciously put him to an open shame?
4. It doth exceedingly debase a man, and makes him viler then the vilest creature, that we tread under our feet; for they in their kind praise God, and shew forth the Wisdome, Power, and Goodnesse of their Creator. But the Blasphemer dishonours him in all his Attributes.
5. 'Tis a most unprofitable sin; other sins have some seeming pleasure and profit to allure, but what pleasure or profit can it be to rage against the Just and Great God?
6. Such are guilty of a most pestilent scandal, they grieve the godly, harden the wicked, offend the weak, who are quickly turned out of the way; and become an ill example to their children, who like soft wax, are ready to be framed to any thing; like Spunges, which suck up any water that comes near them. Now, Woe unto them by whom Scandalls, especially Blasphemous Scandalls come. Matth. 18.6, 7.
Sicut blasphemi filii Diaboli ea cantica discunt in mundo quae canant in inferno: ita filii Dei divinis laudibus assueti, eos Psalmos addiscunt in terris quos cantabunt in coelis. Peraldus. Erit in damnatis Vocalis blasphemia, sicut in Sanctis Vocalis Dei laus. Aquinas. 22. Q. 13. art. 4.7. 'Tis a sin which makes men most like to the damned in Hell. As the Saints in Heaven being filled with joy, shall Vocally sing the Praises of their Redeemer; so the damned in hell being filled with the wrath of God, shall Vocally blaspheme him. Hell is full of blasphemy. 'Tis the very work of the damned to lye under the intolerable wrath of God, continually blaspheming him. He that accustomes himself to such language here, let him take heed that he be not put for ever to sing it there:See Mr. Clerks Mirrour. cap. 11. Edit. 3. Cum mala formaliter expressè et aperiè Deo tribuimus, fit blasphemia. Tollet. Ex personis hominum dicta ac facta pensentur. Reg. and if the wicked, that in this world do but taste of the cup of Gods wrath, yet blaspheme him for their torments. Revel. 16.9. how will they be filled with blasphemies, when they shall be filled with the wrath of God for ever?
Lastly, as 'tis the greatest sin, so it makes men obnoxious to the saddest judgements of God, and severest punishments of the Magistrate, when a man shall directly and purposely speak reproachfully of God, denying him in his Attributes, or attributing that to him which is inconsistent with his Nature; this is called direct and immediate blasphemy, and if it be acted not out of Infirmity of nature, the person not being distempered with sicknesse, melancholy, or madnesse;Saxeus & scelestus lapidandus est saxis ab omni populo, ut omnes testarentur quam oderint Blasphemiam Drexelius. John 19.7. We have a Law, and by our Law he ought to dye, because he made himself the Son of God. but out of Malice, Deliberation, and Obstinacy; then the party is to dye without mercy. Lev. 24.13, 14, 15, 16. this was no judicial Law, peculiar only to the Jews, but it being of the Law of Nature, is an Universall Law for all Nations. He, who ever he be that shall directly and obstinately blaspheme the Name of the Lord; shall surely dye. Hence wicked Iesabel, that she might stone Naboth to death, proclaimes him a blasphemer. 1 Kings 21.11.14. this stoning endured till Christs time, as appears by their stoning of Steven. Acts 7. now if every direct and obstinate blasphemers should be stoned to death in England, what showres of stones would there be in all parts of the Land? and if Nebuchadnezzar, a Heathen, by the Light of Nature could make a Decree, That who ever blasphemed the God of Heaven, or spake any thing amisse concerning him, should be cut in pieces, and his house be made a Dung-hill. Dan. 3, 29. how much more ought Christian Magistrates to make severe Lawes for the punishing of such high offenders; lest as their light and charge is greater, so they suffer double punishment. We see how carefull Magistrates are to punish Thieves and Murderers of men; and shall Spirituall Theeves, who rob God of his Honour, deny his Being, and since they cannot kill him yet will smite him with their Tongue, be suffered to go unpunished? We see how tender great men are of their own Names, Honours, Priviledges, and Lives; if any oppose them, he must dye for it, and shall he that abuseth and blasphemeth the King of Kings,Blasphemator Creatorem cum interficerè non possit, linguâ ferit. Theoderet. The Prophet Zachery (13, 3.) speaking of Gospel-time; sayes, that even false Teachers and much more blasphemers shall be put to death. Anathema belongs to other sinners, but Anathema Maranatha is the portion of such High Attainers. not dye the death? Surely, as this is the greatest sin, so it should be punisht with some eminent and remarkable punishment. This Hellish sin defiles the land, and cannot b… purged away, but by the death of the Blasphemers. Impunity breeds Blasphemy, and all manner of sin. Eccles. 8.11. Paul must excommunicate such. 1 Tim. 1.1.20. and the Magistrate must cut them off. Levit. 24.6.16. Dan. 3.29. and when men cannot, or will not punish them, God takes the sword into his own hand. He cut off blasphemous Sennacher…b, with one hundred fourscore and and five thousand men. 2 Kings 19.35. Blasphemous Arrius voyded his bowells,See more Beards Theater of Gods Judgements. l. 1. c. 29. p. 130. and 477. Edit. ult. Aliud est blasphemiam dicere, aliud blasphemum esse; Blasphema fuit vox Jobi. 34.5. at quia id dixit animi perturbato, non foreign & deliberativè non fuit blasphema. Fayu…. and so died. The Syrians blaspheming the God of Israel, and calling him the God of the Mountains, and not of the vallies; many thousands of them fell by the sword. 1 Kings 20.29, 30. and if the Lord be thus terrible in the Camp of the Assyrians for blasphemy, where will blasphemous Christians appear, who sin against greater Light, and greater Love.
Caution, Yet every unadvised speech or act against God, doth not presently denominate a man a Blasphemer. There be may blasphemy in what is spoken, and yet the person speaking not to be a blasphemer. Iob and Ieremy spake many things unadvisedly (when under a tentation;) yet blasphemed not. Blasphemy properly taken, is ever joyned with an intent to cast reproach upon God. As every one is not a lyar, that telleth what is not true; but he that telleth an untruth, knowing it to be an untruth, with an intent to deceive and wrong others: so he that thinks or speaks a thing unbecoming God with an intent to reproach or slander God and his wayes: This is Blasphemy directly against God.