A Christian Library, Part 1 · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV. Because they are rather to be pitied than maligned, or recko…ed of.
2. BEcause their adversaries are rather to be contemptuously pitied than maligned or reckoned of; and that whether we regard their present, or future estate. Concerning the present; If a man distracted (and so are wicked men touching spirituall things) do rail on us, we are more sorry for him, than for our selves: Yea, who will take in evil part the reproaches and revilings of a man in his feaver? or who will be angry with a Dogge for barking? (and such an one hath but the minde of a beast, in the form of a man:) Let us then do the like, in a case not unlike: and not resemble Ct…sipho the wrastler, who would not put up a blow at the heels of an Asse, but like an Asse kickt her again. When Iulian in a mock asked Maurice Bishop of Chalcedon, why his Galilean God could not help him to his sight; he replied, I am contentedly blinde, that I may not see, such a Tyrant as thou art. Anger alone, were it alone in them, is certainly a kind of basenesse and infirmity, as well appears in the weaknesse of those Subjects in whom it raigneth, as Children, Women, Old folkes, Sick folkes; yea; a sore disease of the minde. Socrates bidding good speed to a dogged fellow, who in requitall of his kinde salutation, returned him a base answer; the rest of the Company rayling on the fellow, were reprehended by Socrates in this manner: If any one (quoth he) should passe by us diseased in his body, or distracted in his minde, should we therefore be angry? or had we not more cause to be filled with joy and thankefullnesse, that we our selves are in better case? What need we return rayling for rayling? All the harm that a common slanderer can do us with his foul mouth, is to shame himself. For his words are like dust, that men throw against the winde, which flyes back into the throwers face, and makes him blinde: for as the blasphemer wounds himself by wounding Christ ▪ so the rayler shames himself, when he thinks to shame another. Neither have they power to hurt us; strong malice in a weak breast, is but like a heavy house built upon slender crutches.
True, they conceit of their slanders as the Pope of his consures, who if he put a Traytor into the Rabricke, he is presently a Saint in Heaven; if he curse, or excommunicate a Christian, he must needs be inrolled in hell: but we know their words, meer Idols, which as the Apostle witnesseth, are nothing in the world; and therefore trouble not thy self about them. What need had David to load himself with an unnecessary weapon? one sword can serve both his enemy and him; Goliahs own weapon shall serve to behead the Master: so this mans own tongue shall serve to accuse himself, and acquit thee. Yea, as David had Goliah to bear his sword for him; so thy very enemy shall carry for thee both sword and shield, even sufficient for defence, as well as for offence.
Wherefore in these cases it hath been usuall for Gods people, to behave themselves like dead Images, which though they be rayled on, and reviled by their enemies, yet have ears, and hear not; mouthes, and speak not; hands, and revenge not; neither have they breath in their nostrils to make reply: Psal. 115.5, 6, 7. If you will see it in an example, look upon David; he was a deaf and dumb at reproach, as any stock or stone. They that seek after my life (saith he) lay snares, and they that go about to do me evil, talk wicked things all the day, (sure it was their vocation to backbite and slander) but I was as deaf, and heard not; and as one dumb, which doth not open his mouth. I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs, Psal. 38.12, 13. This innocent Dove was also as wise as a Serpent; in stopping his ears and refusing to hear the voice of these blasphemous Inchanters, charmed they never so wisely.
And as their words are to be contemned by us, so are their challenges to fight. When a young Gallant would needs pick a quarrell with an ancient tried Souldier, whose valour had made him famous: it was generally held, that he might with credit refuse to fight with him, until his worth shoult be known equivalent to his: saying, Your ambition is to win honour upon me, whereas I shall receive nothing but disgrace from you. The Goshawke scorns to fly at Sparrows: Those noble Doggs which the King of Albany presented to Alexander, out of an overflowing of courage, contemned to encounter with any beasts, but Lyons and Elephants: as for Staggs, wilde Boars and Bears, they made so little account of, that seeing them, they would not so much as remove out of their places. And so the Regenerate man, which fighteth daily with their King, Satan, scorns to encounter with his servant and slave, the carnall man. And this is so far from detracting, that it adds to his honour, and shews his courage and fortitude, to be right generous and noble.
Again secondly, The wager is unequall, to lay the life of a Christian against the life of a Russian (and the blind sword makes no difference of persons) the one surpassing the other, as much as Heaven, Earth; Angels men; or men beasts: even Aristippus (being derided by a scarless souldier, for drooping in danger of shipwrack,) could answer, Thou and I have not the like cause to be afraid: for thou shalt only lose the life of an Asse, but I the life of a Philosopher. The consideration whereof, made Alexander (when he was commanded by Philip his Father to wrastle in the games of Olympia,) answer; he would, if there were any Kings present to strive with him, else not; which is our very Case: and nothing is more worthy our pride, than (that which will make us most humble if we have it,) that we are Christians. When an Embassadour told Henry the fourth that Magnificent King of France, concerning the King of Spains ample Dominions; First said he, He is King of Spain: is he so? saith Henry; and I am King of France: but said the other, He is King of Portugall; and I am King of France, saith Henry: He is King of Naples; and I am King of France: He is King of Sicily; and I am King of France: He is King of Nova Hispaniola; and I am King of France: He is King of the West Indies; and I, said Henry, am King of France: He thought the Kingdom of France only, equivalent to all those Kingdoms. The application is easie, the practise usuall with so many, as know themselves heirs apparent, to an immortall Crown of glory. And as touching their future estate, Fret not thy self (saith David) because of the wicked men, neither be envious for the evill doers; for they shall soon be cut down like grass, and shall wither as the green herb, Psal. 37.1, 2. This doth excellently appear in that remarkable example of Samaria, besieged by Benhadad and his Host, 2 King. 7.6, 7. As also in Haeman who now begins to envy, where half an hour since he had scorned: as what could so much vex that insulting Agagite, as to be made a Lackie to a despised Iew? yea, not to mention that which followed, stay but one hour more, the basest slave of Persia, will not change conditions with this great favourite, though he might have his riches and former honour to boot.
I might instance the like of Pharaoh, Exod. 15.9, 10, 19. Senacherib, Isa. 37.36, 37, 38. Herod, Acts 12.22, 23, and many others; but experience shews, that no man can sit upon so high a Cogue, but may with turning prove the lowest in the wheele; and that pride cannot climbe so high, but Iustice will sit above her. And thus are they to be contemned and pitied while they live, and when they die.
3. After death, the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation (saith Peter) and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished, 2 Pet. 2.9. Alas, were thy enemy sure to enjoy more Kingdoms than ever the Devill shewed Christ: to be more healthfull than Moses: to live longer than Methuselah: yet being out of Gods favour, this is the end; to have his Body lye hid in the silent dust, and his Soul tormented in hell fi…e. And upon this consideration, when Dionysius the Tyrant had plotted the death of his Master Plato, and was defeated by Platos escape out of his Dominions: when the Tyrant desired him in writing not to speak evil of him, the Philosopher replied; That he had not so much idle time, as once to think of him; knowing there was a just God would one day call him to a reckoning. The Moon looks never the paler when Wolves how… against it; neither is she the slower in her motion, howbeit some Sheepherd or Lyon may watch them a good turn. Wherefore saith St Gregory, Pray for thine enemies; Yea, saith St Paul, be gentle toward all that do thee evill, and instruct them with meekness, proving if God at any time will give them repentance that they may knrw the truth, and some to amendment of life, out of the snare of the Devill, of whom they are taken prisoners to do his will, 2 Tim. 2.25, 26. Which thing himself had formerly found of force, for with that contrary breath; I mean that one prayer which St Steven made at his death, he was of a so made a friend, of a Saul a Paul, of a Persecutor a Preacher, of an Imposter a Pastor; a Doctor of a Seducer, of a Pirate a Prelate, of a blasphemer a blesser, of a thief a shepheard, and of a Wolf a Sheep of Christs fold.
4. And lastly, If we consider our own future estate, we have no lesse cause to contemn their evil words; for it is not materiall to our well or ill being, what censures passe upon us; the tongues of the living avail nothing to the good or hurt of those that lye in their graves: they can neither diminish their joy, nor yet add to their torment (if they finde any,) There is no Common-Law in the New Ierusalem; there truth will be received, though either plaintiff or defendant speaks it. Yea, there shall be a resurrection of our credits, as well as of our bodies. Nay, suppose they should turn their words into blowes, and (in stead of using their tongues) take up their swords and kill us, they shall rather pleasure than hurt us. When Iohn Baptist was delivered from a double prison, of his own, of Herods, and placed in the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God, what did he lose by it? His head was taken off, that it might be crowned with glory; he had no ill bargain of it, they did but hasten him to immortality: and the Churches daily prayer is, Come Lord Iesus, come quickly. Yea, what said blessed Bradford? In Christs cause to suffer death, is the way to Heaven on Horsback; which hath made some even slight the sentence of death, and make nothing of it. It is recorded of one Martyr, that hearing the sentence of his condemnation read, wherein was exprest many severall tortures, of starving, killing, boyling, burning, and the like, which he should suffer; he turns to the People, and with a smiling countenance saies; And all this is but one death; and each Christian may say (of what kinde soever his sufferings be) The sooner I get home, the sooner I shall be at ease, Yea, whatever threatens to befall him he may answer it as once that noble Spartan, who being told of the death of his Children, answered, I knew well they were all begot mortall. Secondly, that his goods were confiscate, I knew what was but for my use, was not mine. Thirdly, that his honour was gone, I knew no glory could be everlasting on this miserable Earth. Fourthly, that his sentence was to dye, That's nothing, Nature hath given like sentence both of my condemners and me▪ Wicked men have the advantage of the way, but godly men of the end; Who fear not death because they feared God in their life.
So we see the cudgell is not of use when the Beast but only barks; nay tell me how wouldest thou endure wounds for thy Saviour, that canst not endure words for him? if when a man reviles thee thou art impatient, how wouldest thou afford thy ashes to Christ, and write patience with thine own bloud?