Sermons Upon Romans 11:2-8, Sermon 3
The third Sermon.
Rom. 11, 3, 4.
Lord, they hauehave killed thy Prophets, and digged downe thine Altars, and I am left alone, and they seeke my life, &c.
NOw it further followeth in the prophets complaint, they hauehave killed thy Prophets, &c In 1 Kings 19. the casting downe of the altars, is mentioned before the killing of the Prophets, but the chaunge of the order makes no difference in the sence.
The Prophet declaring, that the Israelites (whereby shee vnderstandeth the ten Tribes) were become so Rebellious against the Lorde, as tha… they could not suffer any of his Prophets to remaine aliue, nor any Token or Monument of his worship o… seruice to stand in their sight. For by the Altars, there is no doubt but tha… he hath relation vntounto the ancient places, where Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob were accustomed to offer Sacrifices And although we read not, that the altar at Ierusalem was vtterly razed yet was it most horribly and filthil… polluted. Altars and Groues beeing reared vp vntounto Baal, and sacrifice eueryevery where offered vntounto him, & to suc… like Idols, to the mighty prouoking of the holye one of Israell to anger▪ Doctr. 1 So then to the Doctrines. First, ther… arise from hence for our further comfort and instruction, these two generall points. The one is this; That th… militant Church of Christ, which consisteth of the company of the elect and faithfull that liue vppon the earth, dooth not alwaies so flourish with the outward marks of the preaching of the word, of the right administration of the Sacraments, and other like publicke exercises of religion and godlinesse, as that it may visibly bee knowne and discerned in the world. But that the Lord oftentimes in his iust iudgement, and for the sins and vnthankefulnesse of the people, suffereth the trueth of his worde, his Sacraments, and his owne true worship to be so obscured and defaced, as that the Church seemeth to be quite raced out, and not so much as the face of a Church to be seene in the world. And yet notwithstanding, euen in the thickest darkenesse of ignorance and infidelity that euer was from the beginning; the Lorde had alwayes a Church in the world, yea manie true Worshippers and professors of his name, that were neuer ouerwhelmed with the abhominations of the wicked, according to that of the Apostle 2. Tim. 2. The foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seale; the Lord… knoweth who are his, &c. In the daye… of Elias, there was such a generall Apostacie and falling away from God, and from his true worship, as that he verily supposed that there was not one faithfull man but himselfe: but yet the Lorde at that time hadde his Church, euen 7000. true Worshippers, that neuer bowed their knees to Idolatry, although they remained inuisible and so secret, that Elias knewe not whether to resort, to ioyne himselfe with any one member. And after this maner (as the Apostle heere giueth to vnderstand) is the case to be considered as concerning the state o… the Iewes, at the comming of Christ and in the time of the Apostles, insomuch, that althogh it might seeme it outward apearance, as if they were al… giuen ouer to infidelity and hardnesse of hart, and that God had vtterly cast them off, from the pertaking of his grace, yet was there (no doubt) a faithful remnant among them that did belong to eternal life. But nnw to make it yet more plaine, that the church of God at diuers other times, hauehave been (& so consequently may be) inuisible. This is manifestly prooued in the example of the daies of Ahaz, when the Altar of God was remoued, and an Idolatrous Altar by the High-priests consent set vp,Verse 11. Verse 19, 2. King. 16. and ch. 17. it is said, that neither Iudah kept the commandements of the Lord, but walked according to the fashion of Israel. Likewise when Manasseth built Idolatrous Altars in the Temple; and when Amon walked in all the wayes of Manasseth. 2 King. 21. Al these, with diuers other examples (that might be remembred) do euidently proue, that the Church of God may somtimes be inuisible, & doth not alwaies visibly appear to be knowne and discerned in the world: howsoeuer as I said before, the foundation of God alwaies abideth sure and God is neuer without his elec… among men. The euident trueth o… which point, as it plainely confutet… this assertion of the Papists, wherea… they hold & affirme, that the Church is, and alwayes hath been visible, an… not at any time inuisible, cleane contrary to the euident scope & purpos… of the Apostle in this place, and to a… the other examples which hauehave bi… remembred. The spirit also plainel… prophesying of the church of Christ Reuel. 12.Verse. 14 That he should flye into the wildernesse; according to the manifold experiences in the time of popish tyranny, wherein although there wer… many thousands of sincere professor… of the glorious gospel of Iesus Chris… yet by reason of the horrible persecutions, they did not alwaies visibly appeare to the world; euen so witha… it teacheth vsus, that as wee alwaie… continue vndoubtedly resolued, tha… the Lorde God hath euer-more his Church vponupon the earth; yea, althogh the whole world do seeme neuer so much to bee vtterly ouer-whelmed with vngodlinesse and Idolatry: euen so withall, that wee be so farre from perswading our selues, that it is of necessity, that the Church of Christ should alwayes visibly appeare, with the outward marks and tokens of the same, or with glittering shewes, and vaine pompe, according to the foolish conceits, and vaine brags of the Papistes; as cleane contrary-wise to know and vnderstand, that it is much more necessary and conuenient, that it should sometimes be inuisible, and that the faithfull members thereof should be rather afflicted then otherwise, according as of this we shal see more fully in the next point. Lorde (saith Elias) they hauehave killed thy prophets &c. The second general, arising from Doctr. 2 this complaint of the Prophet, and from the consideration of the time wherein he liued, is this. That howsoeuer God doth fauour and louelove his Church, yet doth he often suffer the same to be greeuously afflicted; according as in regard of her manifolde persecutions, thus complayneth the Church,Verse 1, 3. Psalme 129. They hauehave oftentimes afflicted mee from my youth (may Israel now say) they hauehave oftentimes afflicted me from my youth. The Plowers plowed vppon my backe, and made long furrowes. This (I say) is most cleare and manifest in this History of Elias his time. The rage and fury of the wicked beeing so exceeding great against the Saints and Seruantes of God, as that they were constrayned to hide themselues in caues & holes, and to the outward view, seemed to be vtterly destroyed from the face of the earth. This may further bee amplified not onelyonly by other Histories of the Old and New Testament, but also by the example of the Primitiue Church of Christ, and from thence vntounto this present, that there hath beene no one age of the worlde, frō the beginning, but by the church and people of God, preaching, and professing obedience to the will and commandements of the Lorde, hauehave either generally or in the particular parts and members, been greeuously afflicted and persecuted by wicked & vngodly men, raised vp by Sathan to that end; as Abel by Caine, Isaac by Ismael, Iacob by Esau, the whol Church of God by the Egyptians, by the Babylonians, the Philistims, Dauid by Saule, Micah, Ieremy, & the rest by the false Prophets of their time, our lord Christ & his Apostles, by the Scribes and Pharisees, the Church of Christ in the beginning, by the heathnish tirants, Nero, Traian, Domitian, Dioclesian, after Constantine by the Arian emperors, & in these later dayes, by the Popes, and their instruments. Nay, wher is there almost any faithful Minister, or honest christian in any particuler congregation, that maketh Conscience to discharge his duty in the fear of God, and refuseth to run with the multitude to the wayes of sinne: but the Diuell will be sure to raise vp one wicked instrument or other, to afflict and persecute him at least-wise with the tongue, as Ismael did Isaac, if they bee restrained from a more violent course. Now as touching the Reasons wherefore GOD suffereth his Church and chosen people to be oftentimes thus greeuously afflicted & persecuted. First we must know, that howsoeuer sin bee the generall cause of all afflictions, yet the Lorde in afflicting his Children, hath alwayes a further regard then the punishing of Reason 1 their sinne. As that his glory in their patient enduring, and in the manner of their deliuerance, might bee effectually magnified and extolled, according as we see this manifestly confirmed.Verse 2, 3. Iohn 9. by our Lord Iesus christ, in the example of him that was borne blinde, as concerning whome, when the Disciples demanded, saying; Maister, who did sinne? this man or his Parents, that hee was borne blinde? Iesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his Parents, but that the workes of God should be shewed on him. To the same effect speaketh he also, Ioh. 11. as touching the sicknesse of Lazarus, that it was not vntounto death, but for the glory of God, that the sonne of God might he glorified thereby. A second reason Reason 2 is, that by afflictions he might proue and exercise their faith and patience, as this is manifest in the example of Iob. And as to this effect speaketh the Apostle Peter, 1 Pet. 4, 12. 1 Pet. 1, 7.1. Epist. 4. and before in the first Chap. That the trial (sayth he) of your faith, being much more precious then Gold that perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might bee founde vntounto your praise and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Iesus Christ. A third Reason Reason 3 is, that by this means they might be drawne nearer vntounto God, & more obedient and conformeable vntounto his blessed will. For euen as Iron, if it be not occupied will wax rusty; and as the Ayre, if the Clouds be not driuen away with the winde, wil be corrupt and contagious: euen so is it with the children of God, they are more outwarde to eueryevery good thing, much more secure and sencelesse in sinne, much lesse apt to call vppon God, to trust in him, to giuegive him thanks, and to submit themselues vntounto his wil, in the time of ease, peace, and prosperity, then in the time of trouble, affliction, or distresse, according as beside many other which might bee produced, this is manifest in the example & confession of Dauid, as Ps. 119.Vers. 67, 71 Befor… I was afflicted (saith hee) I went astray but now I keepe thy word. And a littl… after, It is good for me that I hauehave bin afflicted, that I may learne thy Statutes Thus and by these Reasons you see that howsoeuer afflictions bee greeuous, to the flesh of Gods Children yet they are notwithstanding verie profitable for them, and bring them great commodity. They are diminished by them one way, but they are augmented another way: Although their mortall bodies be therby weakned, & their worldly wealth wasted, their liberty abridged, and euen their very liues oftentimes taken from thē: yet get they plentiful encrease of spirituall and heauenly riches, which are not transitory, nor subiect to corruption, knoledge of God, & of his louelove, faith, zeal of Gods glorie, repentance, patience, peace of conscience, the seal and assurance of a far better life; according as heere-unto most notable tend the words of the apostle. 2 Cor. 4.Verses 16, 17, 18. Therfore we faint not, but thogh our outward man perish, yet the inward mā is renued daily. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth vntounto vsus a far more excellent & eternall waight of glory. While we looke not on the things which are seene, but on the things which are not seene, for the things which are seene, are temporal, but the thinges which are not Reason 4 seene, are eternal. Ouer and besides al this,2 Tim. 3, 12 we are yet further to know, that it is a lot assigned in the prouidence of God, to all them that wil liue godly in Christ Iesus,Acts. 14, 22 that they shoulde suffer affliction; and that as our Lord Iesus christ by the crosse, & by much affliction, entred into the possession of his heauenly glory, so we by many tribulations, shoulde enter into the Reason 5 kingdome of heauen. And lastly, that it is an vnchangeable ordinance and decree of God, that the godly should hauehave all their troubles and sorrow in this life, and the wicked on the contrary, all their ioy, ease, pleasure, and delight. That the godly sustaine all their anguish and trouble in this life, it is euident, not onelyonly in the Parable of Lazarus, presently ascending (after the death of his body) into Abraham his bosome,Verse 22. Verse 13. Luke 16. but also Reuel. 14. Blessed are the dead, which hereafter die in the Lord. Euen so saith the Spirite, for they rest from their labours, and their workes follow them. Verse 4.And chap. 21. it is saide, that God shal wipe away all teares from their eies, and there shal be no more death, neither sorrowe, neither crying, neither shal there bee any more paine, for the first things are passed. And now, as thus standeth the case with the children of God, euen so clean contrarywise with the wicked and vngodlye, whensoeuer they endure any trouble or sorrowe, it tendeth not to their good (as the troubles of Gods Children do) but it is a beginning and an entrance into greater misery, & farre more fearefull iudgements, out of which they shall neuer be able to deliuer themselues. Although they enioy health, peace, prosperity, and be aduanced to the honours and preferments of this life, possesse all things in this worlde which their health can desire, yet heerein hauehave they no seale of Gods speciall louelove, all these things tending to no other ends, but to prepare and fat them vp against the day of slaughter. Their destruction (as Salomon saith) shall come sodainly, and who knoweth the ruine of them both. Their glory and honor, their delightes and prosperity, are not only of very smal continuance, but euen as nothing in comparison of their ruin and destruction which shall be wonderfull fearfull, & continue for euer. According as of this difference speaketh the Apostle S. Peter. 1 Ep. 4.Verse 17, 18. The time is come (saith he) that iudgement must begin at the house of God: If it first beginne at vsus, what shal the end of them be, which obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely bee saued, where shal the vngodly and the sinner appeare. Heereunto appertaineth also, that notable sentence of the Lord, which he vttred as he went towards the place of his sufferings,Verse 31. Lu. 23. If they do these things (saith he) to a greene tree, what shal bee done to a dry? If the deare Saints and seruants of God, and are as green and ftuitfull trees, who bring forth precious and pleasant fruits of holines and righteous. If they by Gods ordinance must in this world be so vexed, persecuted, and tormented: where then (as S. Peter demandeth) shall the wicked and vngodly ones appeare? what shal becom of them, being so vtterly void of all vertue and goodnesse? Examples of Gods iudgements vppon the wicked in this life, we hauehave in Kaine, Pharao, Iudas, and in many other, but howsoeuer they escape (as most cōmonly they do in this world) yet shal they not faile to be double and treble recompenced in the world to come: the lesse they heere endure, the more bitter shalbe their pain, and the more grieuous their punishment in hel, & condemnation with the diuel and his angels, out of which there shal be no redemption. Much might be spoken to amplify this further, but by that already deliuered, wee may see clearely enough, that howsoeuer the Godly hauehave heere all their sorrow, and the wicked in this life all their ioy and felicity; yet the same ioy and felicity of theirs, is nothing else (in truth and indeed) but extreame misery. They liue in pleasure on the earth (as S. Iames speaketh) and in wantonnesse, and nourish their hearts, as in a day of slaughter. For vntounto the slaughter must they come at the length, aswell as the Beasts that are fatted vppe. O Lord (saith Ieremy,Ier. 12, 1, 2, 3. chapt. 12) if I dispute with thee, thou art Righteous: yet let me talke with thee of thy iudgements, wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they in wealth that rebelliously transgresse? Thou hast planted thē, and they hauehave taken root, they growe and bring forth fruit, &c. And a litle after, Pul them out like Sheepe for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. Of this also speaketh the Prophet Malachy, cha. 4. that there shal bee a very great difference at the day of Iudgement betwixt the godly and the vngodly, the proude and all they that do wickedly,Mal. 4, 1, 2. being burnt as stubble, and so as there shall remain neyther roote nor branch in that day, but vntounto al them that feare the Lord, shal the Sun of righteousnesse arise, and safetie preserue them. Heereunto appertayneth that also of the Prophet Dauid. Psal. 37.Psal. 37, 35, 36. I hauehave seene the wicked strong, and spreading himselfe as a greene Bay-tree, yet he passed, and lo he was gone, & I sought him, but he could not bee found. Also Psal. 73.Psal. 73, 3, 4 5, 6, 7.8, 9.14, 18, 19, 20. I fretted at the foolish, when I saw the prosperitie of the wicked: for there are no bands in their death, but they are lusty and strong, they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued with other men: therefore pride is a chaine vntounto them, and cruelty couereth them as a garment, their eies stand out for fatnes, they hauehave more then their hart can wish, &c. whereas he for his part was on the contrary, daily punnished and chastened eueryevery morning: But a little after it followeth, I went (saith he) into the Sanctuary of God, and then vnderstood of their end. Surely thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest them downe into desolation. How sodainly are they destroyed, perished, and horribly consumed? As a dreame when one awaketh, Vse 1 &c. Now let vsus come to the Vses which may follow vppon this point. First seeing it is the ordinance of god that his dearest children should be afflicted and endure tribulation in this life, be like vntounto Christ in humiliation and suffrings, before they can partake of his glory, that therefore in the fear of God, whensoeuer we are any way afflicted, or in distresse, in pouertie, sicknesse, or howsoeuer else; we bee so farre from fainting or being discoraged, as contrarily conceyue hope, and be of good comfort, assuring our selues, that if we truely feare GOD, they are so many arguments of Gods speciall louelove and fauour towardes vsus. And that seeing (howsoeuer sinne be the generall cause of all afflictions yet) the Lorde God in the afflictions of his children, regardeth nothing so much the punnishment of their sins, as his own glory and their good, making an end also of al their miseries in this life, and so as after this life, there remayneth nothing for them but glory, honor, and peace; that therefore with the Apostle Rom. 5.Rom. 3, 4, 5 We reioyce in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth foorth patience; patience experience; experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the LoueLove of God is shedde abroad in our harts by the Holy-Ghost which is giuen vntounto vsus.
A second Vse is, that we be so far Vse 2 from iudging and esteeming the state and condition of the wicked and vngodly, to be happy and blessed, and so consequently from framing our selues in affection or conuersation to be like vntounto them, because they liue in health, peace, & are not so trobled, hated, despised and persecuted as other men, as clean contrariwise knowing by that which hath bin spoken that all their ioy and felicity is in trueth and indeed but extreame misery and that instead of their easy & pleasant life in this worlde, there remaineth nothing for them but extreame anguish for euermore, horror for ioy, paine for pleasure, yea such tribulation and anguish, such horrour, paine, and fearefull torments, the greeuousnesse whereof cannot possibly be expressed, and out of which there shal… neuer be any Redemption; that therfore (I say) we be so farre from esteeming our selues or others to be happy, in regard of any outward prosperity whatsoeuer; as cleane contraril… to learne thereby whiles we are heer▪ to worke our saluation in feare an… trembling. That seeing a man ma… be wealthy, and yet vnhappy, liue i… ease and peace, and yet bee accursed▪ we therefore settle the foundation o… all our happinesse vponupon the worde of God, accounting our selues, and all others in a blessed estate onelyonly, so far forth as we feare God, and are sanctifyed by his Spirit to yeeld obedience to his blessed wil, and no further. For blessed (saith Dauid, Psal. 128.Psal. 128.1.) is eueryevery one that feareth the Lord, and walketh in his wayes. Hee saith, not that a man is blessed, because he liueth in wealth ease, peace, or rest, or that hee is vnhappy, that is in any affliction & distresse, but from hence deriueth hee the argument of all true happinesse, that men truely feare God, and walke in his wayes; so that if we feate God and walke in his waies, in what estate condition or account soeuer wee be in this life, yet shall we be sure to be blessed of God.
Thus much generally: Now more perticulerly. Lorde (saith Elias) they hauehave killed thy Prophets, & digged down thine Altars, and I am left alone, & they seeke my life. I might fitly in these words raise diuers particular instructions, but because I woulde gladly speake somewhat of the Lords reply, which doth follow in the next wordes; therefore I will briefly comprehend Doctr. 3 the whole, in one point. We hauehave heerein a liuely Image and description of the nature and affections of wicked and vngodly men, when the Lord hath once forsaken and giuen them ouer to a reprobate sence. They can abide no personnes worse, then his holye Prophets and Ministers, who are sent of God to teach and instruct them, to discouer and reprooue their sins, and to exhort them to repentance and newnesse of life; nor any thing lesse, then the Tokens and testimonies of true religion and godlinesse, insomuch that they will not faile, to the vttermost of their power, to abolish and roote out all remembrance of the same: what a great number of most excellent prophets the Lord from time to time, raised vp and sent among the people of Israel, to call and conuert them to the obedience of his will, & to the right way and maner of worshipping him: the history of the scripture dooth most plentifully declare: but how tiranously on the other side, they were handled and entreated, how despised, how cruelly murthered and persecuted to the death, besides this present complaint of the holy Prophet Elias. The words of our Lord Iesus Christ. Mat. 23. do plainly declare, whereas their expostulating the matter with the Iewes, euidently conuinceth euen by their own confession, that they were the children of thē that murdred the prophets: & therefore addeth, Fulfil ye also the measure of your fathers: Mat. 23, 31, 32, 34, 35.& presently after, Wherefore, behold I send vntounto you Prophets, wisemen, & Scribes, & of them ye shal kil and crucify, and of them shal ye scourge in your synagogues, & persecute you frō city to city, that vponupon you may com al the righteous blood, that was shed vponupon the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous, vntounto the bloud of Zacharias, &c. As touching the Reasons wherefore the wicked are thus maliciously bent against Gods children. First, we must Reason 1 know that malice is rooted of olde in the hearts of the wicked, agaynst the seruants of God, through the instigation of Sathan the Father and author of it: and who, as hee sought the destruction of our first Parents, euen so soone as they were, so did he presently fill the heart of Caine there-with, which caused him to murther his righteous and innocent Brother. For so farre wil malice vrge and prouoke that man, in whom it is seated by the Diuell, that his heart and his hande, and al the powers and faculties of his soule and body, will bee continually employed, and endeuouring, not only to reproach, disgrace, and hurt by all possible meanes, but euen also to depriue those of their very liues, whō they enuy and malice in their hearts. This malice and hatred (I say) is perpetuall, and will neuer hauehave an end, so long as there is a Deuill, and the Saints and seruants of God, doo remaine vponupon the earth. A second reason Reason 2 wherefore the wicked beare such deadly hatred and malice towardes Gods faithfull seruaunts, is, because such as feare God truly, cānot frame and conforme them-selues to their corrupt humours and dispositions to say as they say, and to do as they doe, according as this reason doth the Apostle S. Peter render. 1 Epist. 4.1 Pet 4, 4. It seemeth to them strange, that yee run not with them to the same excesse of ryot, therefore speake they euil of you. For as light and darknesse, Christ and Belial cānot possibly agree in one, no more, is it possibly that prophane and wicked men should affect, or like of any other in their hearts, but onelyonly of such as in affection and disposition are like to themselues. And a third reason is, Reason 2 because (what shew soeuer they will sometimes make to the contrarie for carnal respects) yet in their harts they vtterly dislike, and cannot abyde the sincere Doctrine of Christs Gospel, which the Saints and seruants of god do preach and professe, as this dooth our Lord Iesus Christ confirme. Iohn 8.Iohn 8, 37. Ye seeke to kil mee (sayth he) because my word hath no place in you. The sincerity of religion is too precise in the account of earthly minded men, and because it tendeth to abridge them of their carnal liberty and licentiousnes, they cannot away eyther with it, or with any of those, who sincerely eyther preach it, or make profession of it. Thus hauehave you seene the Reasons wherefore the wicked and vngodlye, are thus maliciously bent against the children and Seruants of GOD; yea and it is further also to bee obserued in this History and Complaint, that such and so insatiable is the Tyranny of such wicked ones, where they beare the sway, that they are so farre from repenting themselues of the former mischeefes and murthers which they hauehave committed, as that they most barbarously go forward in the same, without remorse of Conscience, neuer restraining their rage, nor moderating their fury, so long as they can finde any of Gods seruantes vppon the earth. Iezebel the wicked wife of vngodly Ahab, had made such a hauocke of Gods true Worshippers, that shee perswaded her selfe, that there was none other of them left, but the Prophet Elias (yea, and of this minde also, as wee see heere was Elias himselfe) and yet shee was so farre, eyther from repenting her selfe, or beeing satisfied with that she had already doone, as that by all possible meanes, she endeuoured her selfe to bring him also to destruction. Heerein we hauehave many other examples, as in Kain, who after he had once cōceiued a wicked purpose in his hart to murther his brother Abel, and that for no other cause (as S. Iohn sheweth.Verse 12, 1 Epist. 3.) but because his Brothers workes were good, & his owne euill) he would by no meanes cease or giuegive ouer, till he had effected it indeed. In Pharoa towards the destruction of the little Infants of the Israelites, and of Herod in his time. Of this disposition also was Saule, who by no meanes, nor by any duty of seruice, could possibly bee perswaded to receiue Dauid into fauour againe, after he had once taken displeasure against him, but continually endeuored himselfe to bring him to Destruction; although Dauid for his part neuer did him hurt, but the fault was euermore in himselfe: and beeing kindled with displeasure against Ahimelech the High-priest, for Dauids cause, no excuse nor reasonable answere, coulde possibly appease or pacify him, vntill fourscore and fiue Priests of the Lord were slaine, and the City of Nab, destroyed, with all the men, women and children that were in it. 1 Sam. 22. An other like example whereof we hauehave in Manasseth, of whom it is recorded,Verse 16 2 Kings 22. That he shed innocent bloude exceeding much, til hee replenished Ierusalem from corner to corner. And for the like cruelty is Ierusalem also.Verses 2, 3. Ezech. 22. called a bloudy City, a City that sheddeth bloud in the mids of it. And for this cause also, are such wicked ones resembled in diuers other places of the Scriptures, to ramping and roaring Lyons, greedy of their prey, such as regard not what tyranny and cruelty they exercise, and shewe what horrible wast and desolation they make & commit, nor what pittiful mourning and lamentation they cause and procure, so as their corrupt and diuellish deuises may be accomplished. According as besides all other examples, this is most apparant in the enemies of the Church, I meane the Papistes at this day. A bloody generation vndoubtedly; yea surely, as bloodie as any other that can possibly be remembred, as their horrible massacres and murthering of Gods Saintes in this Land, as also in France, Spaine, & the Lowe-Countries; wherein since the years 1520. they hauehave been the death of one million of christians, & especily in their late Powder treason, they hauehave made it manifest vntounto all the world. We heereby seeing clearely what is to be looked for at their handes, if they might beare the sway, and if the time were come that they hauehave so long longed and looked for. But Praised be the Lord, who hath not yet giuen Vse 1 vsus ouer as a prey to their teeth. Now for the Vses. First we see heere, that the wicked in afflicting & persecuting the children of God, and in bearing such malicious harts against them, do euidently discouer themselues to bee the children & seruants of the diuell, as Ioh. 8.Iohn 8.44. our Lord Iesus directing his speech vntounto the Scribes and pharisies who went about to kill him, Yee are (sayth he) of your father the Diuell, and the lusts of your father ye wil do: he hath bin a murtherer from the beginning, &c. The childe followeth the steps of his father, and the seruant is obedient & conformable to the wil and commandement of his Mayster. Now the wicked being the children and seruaunts of the deuil, what maruell is it, thogh they bee such deadly enemies to the children & seruants of God? It must not be thought strange also, althogh some of them bee Whore-mongers, some drunkards, some vaine swearers and blasphemers, some murtherers, some contentious, malicious, and enuyous men; they be heerin but as natural children, imitating the steps of their father, and as obedient seruants but fulfilling the wil and commandements of their mayster. A second vse arising from the former Doctrine is this, that seeing the wicked and vngodlye in afflicting and persecuting the Saints and Seruantes of God, are euidently discouered to bee the children and seruants of the Diuell: that therefore in the feare of God we take diligent heed, and as wee tender the glory of God, and our owne saluation, that neither in affection, nor in life and conuersation, we bee like such wicked & vngodly ones whom the Lorde hath forsaken: but as it is the property of such to hate and persecute such especially as preach vntounto them, and professe among them the word of God; so let vsus on the contrary settle our selues to louelove, and like such aboue all others; yea, to aproue our selues to be the children of God, we must louelove not onelyonly such as louelove vsus, but euen our verie enemies, as our Lord Iesus Christ teacheth vsus. Math. 5. and according to the exhortation of the Apostle Paule.Verse 44. Rom. 12. Blesse them which persecute vsus. Not desiring an eye for an eye, nor a tooth for a tooth, as the Pharisies taught their Disciples, but we must be framed according to the example of our Lord Lorde Iesus Christ, who prayed for his enemies, and did good vntounto those that hated and persecuted him, according as to this purpose dooth the Apostle Peter propound vntounto vsus his example. 1 Epist. 2. saying,Verse 23. that when he was reuiled, reuiled not againe; and when he suffered he threatned not. And in verse 21. before he saith, that christ in suffering hath left vsus an ensample, that we should follow his steps. After this manner goeth he forward to exhort. Chap. 3.1 Pet. 3, 19. Not rendering euil for euil, nor rebuke for rebuke, but contrarywise blesse, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should bee heire of the blessing. But now forasmuch as this is a hard matter for flesh and bloud to yeelde vntounto, as daily experience prooueth; therefore must all Gods Children alwayes heerewithall remember these two thinges. The first is, that the more wee are hated, despised, and persecuted of wicked men, the more are we blessed of God; and who will not be well content, to endure some hard measure for a time at the handes of prophane and vngodly men, that thereby hee may hauehave the louelove and fauor of God the more surely sealed vntounto him for euer? And now that this effect followeth to the godly, by meanes of the reproaches and other iniuries of the wicked: our lord Iesus Ghrist Mat. 5.Math. 5, 11, 12. doth plainely expresse, Blessed are yee when men reuile you, and persecute you, and say al manner of euil against you for my sake falsly. Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen, for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. And the second thing that to this end we are to remember, is, rhat thus behauing our selues, wee shal therein hauehave a most comfortable testimony that wee are the children of our heauenly Father, who maketh the sun to shine, & the rain to fal aswel on the bad as on the good. And therewithal the true Seruants and followers of our lord Iesus Christ, who when his Disciples wold hauehave had him to hauehave commaunded fire from heauen, to hauehave destroyed a City of Samaria as hee passed by, because the Citizens refused to giuegive him entertainment; sharply rebuked them as we see Luke 9. saying, Ye know not of what spirit ye are, for the sonne of man is not come to destroy mens liues, but to saue them. Who also healed the ear of Malchus, yea althogh he was one of them that came to apprehend and to bring him to death. These 2. points if we could remember, especialy when wee are tempted & prouoked by the malice of wicked men, they would be forcible enough to represse & keepe vnderunder al affections & atempts of rage & reuenge. Considering & concluding with our selus, that it must needs bee a maruailous vnthankfulnes, not to endeuor our selues to the perfection of our heauenly father, & the example of our sauior, who so louingly exhorteth vsus thereunto.Verse 29, Mat. 11. Learn of me, for I am meeke and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest vntounto your souls. And this may suffice from the consideration of the Prophets complaint in the words that you hauehave heard, Lord they hauehave killed thy Prophets.