A Christian Library, Chapter 11 – Chapter 14
CHAP. XI.
Convert. WHerein consists their unlikeness and contrariety?
Minister. There be more differences between the children of God and the children of the Devil, then there are between men and beasts: But principally they differ in their judgements, affections and actions. How they differ in their judgements and affections, I have shewn upon another occasion. How in their actions and practice (which occasions the greatest strife and discord) I will acquaint you as briefly as I can.
There is nothing more common then for all sorts and kindes of men to hate, scorn, persecute, reproach, revile, accuse, slander and condemn the religious, because their own works are evil and wicked, and the others good, holy and righteous. As wherefore slew Cain his brother, saith S. Iohn, but because his own works were evil, and his brothers good, 1 Joh. 3.12. Why was Ioseph accused of his Mistress for an adulterer, and thereupon committed to prison, but because he would not be an adulterer like her, Gen. 39? yea it was his party coloured coat, composed of all kinds of graces and blessings, that formerly procured his brethrens hate. Wherefore was holy David, as himself complains almost in every Psalm, had in derision, hated, slandered, reviled, contemned, and made a proverb and song of the drunkards, and other wicked men which sate in the gate: but because he followed the things that were good and pleasing unto God, and in him put his trust, Psal. 11.2. and 22.6, 7, 8. and 37.14. and 69.10, 11, 12. And lastly (for I might be endlesse in the prosecution of this,) Why were all the just in Solomons time, had in abomination, and mockt of the wicked? but because they were upright in their way, and holy in their conversation, Pro. 29.27. Or those numberless Martyrs, whose souls S. John saw under the Altar, Rev. 6.9. killed? but for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they maintained? And the Mister himself? not for any evil as themselvs are forced to confess, Mar. ….37. Which examples sufficiently prove, that that great Dragon the Devil, and these his Subjects, are wroth with none but the woman and the remnant of her …, which keep the Commandements of God, and have the testimony of Iesus, … 12.17. All was quiet at Ephesus before S. Paul came thither; but then … arose no small strife about that way, Acts 19.23 &c. A wolf flies not upon … sheep: we can with delight look upon the picture of a Toad: It is your … Christian that is most spighted and persecuted. As how many with … may complain with Ieremy, that because they live a godly life themselves, …all upon others to do the same, they are cursed of every one, and counted con…, Jer. 15.10. It faring with many as it did with Caius Selius, of whom … were wont to say, that he was a good man, but he was a Christian. … but a spark of fervent devotion break out in a fam…ly, all the rest. … clamours; as when bells ring disorderly, every one is ready with his … disgraced he must be for a Puritan, Roundhead, or Phanatick, but only by Laodiceans. Indifferency strives to dash zeal cut of countenance. And the reason is, wheresoever Christ comes, there will be opposition. When Christ was born, all Ierusalem was troubled, and Herod cut the throats of all the children in Bethlem: so when Christ is born in any man, the soul is in an uprore, and Satan with his instruments are ready to kill in him every good motion, though it be never so little a babe. You cannot anger a wicked man worse, then to do well: yea, he hates you more bitterly for this, and the credit you gain thereby, then if you had cheated him of his patrimony with your own discredit. Whereas, if a man will but bear them company in their sins, drink, swear, temporize, contemn holiness, mis-spend his time, haunt Taverns, play the good fellow, and do as the rest do; he shall have the approbation and good word of the greatest number. Yea if none would be precise in their actions, nor reprove others for their evill courses; if they would but be prophane and wicked, and make no bones of sin … their malice would cease, and we should not have a Roundhead or a Phanatick in all the world.
Neither is Christ a sign to be spoken against of many in Babylon or Assyria, but of many in Israel, Luke 2.34. where Religion is profest publikely: Yea when sincerity is wanting, the neerer the line with any opposition, the greater eclipse. The Gadarens but besought Christ to depart; his own countrymen drave him out, and cast him down headlong, Luke 4.29. And who was his greatest enemy, but his greatest friend, even one of his houshold Chaplains? and who but Ieremies familiars watched for his halting.
Yea commonly, vertue fares hardest from such as should and seem to uphold her; for the chief Persecutors of Christ and his followers, are not profest Atheists, or Turks, or Iews, but such as hold some great place in the Church. And intruders upon other mens right, can endure any man how bad soever rather to live by them, then the servants of him whom they intrude upon; as you may see, Matth. 21.33, to 39. where those farmers of the vineyard did not kill the theeves, robbers and spoilers of the vineyard; but the servants, yea and the son too; and the end of all was, that they might take the inheritance. And indeed it hath been the complaint almost of all that have written that they have suffered most from such as profest the same Faith and Religion with them.
And so much touching the main difference between the seed of the serpent, and the seed of the woman.
CHAP. XIII.
I Might go on, and shew you that as they hate and persecute the … because they do well, so likewise because they fare well, and are … before them. As why was Cain wroth with his brother Abel, and after … him, as affirmeth the holy Ghost, but because the Lord had respect unto ▪ and to his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had no respect, … Why did Esau hate Iacob, and purpose to kill him, but because of the … wherewith his father bless…d him? Gen. 23.41. Isaac's blessing … hate. Again, wherefore did the Philist…nes and … stop up his wells, and banish him from them, but because the Lord so abundantly blessed Isaac, as appears Gen. 26.12. to 18. Wherefore did Iosephs Brethren hate him, not being able to speak peaceably unto him, and after sell him into Egipt? but because his father more favoured him, and they fear…d he should reign over them, Gen. 37.4, to 9. If Ioseph be his fathers darling, he is his brethrens eye-sore. Wherefore did Saul persecute David, and pursue after him from place to place to take away his life, but because he was so praised and preferred of the people before himself? and the Lord was with David, and prospered him in every thing he took in hand, 1 Sam. 18.12, 13, 28, 29. Davids successe is Sauls vexation; yea, he findes not so much pleasure in his Kingdome, as vexation in the prosperity of David? And lastly (for I passe by the Elder Brothers envie in the Parable against his younger Brother, when his Father so royally entertained him at his return, Luke 15.28. which is meant of the Iewes envying the Gentiles conversion, and many the like instances.) Why was Eliah wroth with his younger brother? 1 Sam. 17.28. but because he should be more exalted. And I doubt whether Davids brethren were more glad that Goliah was slain, or angry that he was slain by their brother: For envie is sick if her neighbour be well, and the good mans honour is the envious mans torment, as it fared between Haman and Mordecai; as hereafter the glory of Christ shall add to these Reprobates confusion, when they are driven to confess this is he whom we once had in derision, Luke 13.28. I might also apply all this to many in our times. As why do many mens hearts rise against every holy man they meet? as some stomacks rise at the sight of sweet meats: Why do all drunkards and vitious livers hate the religious? and so belch out their enmity and spleen against them, in raising and spreading of slanders as they do: but although partly to rescue themselves from contempt, and to procure a contrary esteem by putting a foul, and ugly vizard upon vertue, and decking up vice in a gorgeous and comely attire; yet chiefly because they partake of the divine nature, and are one with the Father and the Son, John 17.14.21, 22. 2 Cor. 6.18. I might, I say, be large upon this, and many the like, but I must only mention them.
CHAP. XIV.
SEcondly, Another cause is, their Ignorance: They shall hate and persecute you, yea, they shall excommunicate and kill you for my Names sake, saith …ur Saviour to his Disciples, because they have not known the Father nor me, …ohn 16.2, 3. and 15.21. And again, they are an offence unto us, because …hey understand not the things which are of God, but the things which are of men, …atth. 16.23. And are deceived, because they know not the Scriptures, nei… the power of God, Matth. 22.29. Luke 19.42. This the Apostle con… to have been the cause of his persecuting the Church, 1 Tim. 1.13. … soon as he was enlightned with the saving knowledge of the truth, … his note, with his name, and preached that faith, which before he …. Yea, the most ugly and monstrous wickedness, that ever was … or brought forth into the world, calleth ignorance mother: Had … (says the Apostle) they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, … Acts 3.15, 17. … forgive them, saith he of his murtherers, for they know not what they do. And why have the Kings of the earth, in all ages banded themselves together against the Lord, and against his Christ, Psal. 2.2. but because they knew him not? Ioh. 15.21. they see no more then the bar… or outside of spiritual things, 2 Sam. 6.16. And the flesh (Satans ready instrument) will be ever sugesting to them strange surmises touching what the Religious either say or do; as is evident by what is recorded of Michal, 2 Sam. 6.16. of Nicodemus, Joh. 3.4. of Festus, Act. 26.24. and lastly, of Paul, before his conversion, 1 Tim. 1.13.
It is the nature of ignorant and carnal men (that walk after the flesh in the lusts of uncleanness, whom Saint Peter calls brute beasts, led with sensuality) to speak evil of the things which they understand not, 2 Pet. 2.12. especially in judging acts of zeal and piety, their opinion still lights upon the worst sense, like them in Act. 2. who mocked the Apostles when they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and hearing them speak languages which they understood not, cried out, These men are drunk with new wine.
Until we be born again, we are like Nicodemus, who knew not what it was to be born again, Ioh. 3.4. Until we become zealous our selves, we are like Festus, who thought zeal madness, Act. 26.24. Until we be humble our selves, we are like Michal, who mocked David for his humility, and thought him a fool, for dancing before the Ark, 2 Sam. 6.16. Yea, to such as shall perish, or are for the present in a perishing condition, all Religion seems foolishness, 1 Cor. 1.18.