Armor of Proof 2, Chapter 5 – Chapter 12
CHAP. V.
THirdly, No hope it ſhould be otherwiſe, ſince God from the beginning of the Creation, hath proclaimed a War, enmity and ſtrife, between the wicked and the godly: Did you never read that Scripture, Gen. 3.15? where God himſelf ſaith to the Serpent, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy ſeed and her ſeed; he, or it, ſhall bruſe thine head, and thou ſhalt bruſe his heel. Where by the ſerpents ſeed, are meant the whole generation of wicked men; and by the womans ſeed, Chriſt and all his members, as all Interpreters conclude and other Scriptures make cleere; where wicked men are called ſerpents, a generation of vipers, and children of the devil, Matth. 23.33. Joh. 8.44. 1 Joh. 3.10. And as this war was proclaimed in Paradiſe, even in the beginning of time, (originall ſinne being the originall of this diſcord) ſo it ſhall continue to the end of all time: When time, ſaith One, began, this malice firſt began, nor will it end but with the lateſt man. It is an everlaſting Act of Parliament, like a Statute in Magna Charta. Which is the next thing I would commend to your ſerious conſideration: And that you may be the better confirmed therein, ſee how according to the Lords prediction or proclamation, there hath been a perpetuall war, enmity and ſtrife in all ages paſt, is now and ever ſhall be, between Satan and Chriſt; and their Regiments the wicked and the godly.
For proof whereof I could produce teſtimonies and examples innumerable, there being ſcarce a page in the Bible, which doth not expreſſe or imply ſomewhat touching this enmity. But that I may be brief, and becauſe examples give a quicker impreſſion then arguments, I will only give you three inſtances in every Age. As
Firſt, to begin with the firſt Age, viz. the old world before the flood. We read of this mortall enmity and ſtrife between Cain and Abel, 1 Joh. 3.12. between Lamech and the holy ſeed, Gen. 4.23, 24. and between thoſe wicked Giants which Moſes ſpeakes of, and the ſons of God, Gen. 6▪2, to 12. Yea thoſe Giants bad battell to Heaven, as our Mythologiſts add to ver. 4.
Secondly, After the Flood, before the Law, between all the men of Sodom and righteous Lot, Gen. 19.4.9.11. 2 Pet. 2.8. Between Hagar and Iſhmael; the bond-woman and her ſonne, and Sarah and Iſaac, the free▪woman and her ſonne, Gen. 21.9, 10. Gal. 4.29. and between Eſau and Jacob, firſt in the womb, the more plainly to ſhaddow out this enmity, Gen. 25.22, 23. and after they were born, Gen. 27.41.
Thirdly, After the Law, before Christ, between Doeg and the 85 Prieſts which he ſlew with the edge of the ſword, 1 Sam. 22 18, 19. between Jezabel and all the Prophets of the Lord which ſhe deſtroyed, 1 King. 18.13, 14. and between the heads of Iſrael in Micaiahs time, and all that were good, Mich. 3.2.
Fourthly, Since the Goſpel, in the time of Chriſt and his Apoſtles; this enmity ſo manifeſted it ſelf not only in the Gentiles, but in the Jews Gods own people, who firſt raiſed thoſe perſecutions againſt Chriſt and his members; that having beheaded John Baptiſt his harbinger, and crucified himſelf the Lord of life: We reade that of all the twelve, none died a naturall death ſave only St John, and he alſo was baniſhed by Domitian to Patmos, and at another time thruſt into a Tun of ſeething oyl at Rome, as Tertullian and St Hierom do report: See Acts 7▪51, …o 60. and 12.…, to 5. Rom, 8.36. Joh. 21.18, 19.
Fifthly, After the Apoſtles, if we conſider the reſidue of the ten Perſecutions raiſed by the Romans againſt the Chriſtians, which was for three hundred years, till the coming of godly Conſtantine, we finde that under Diocleſian, ſeventeen thouſand Chriſtians were ſlain in one monethmonth, amongſt whom was Serena the Empereſſe alſo. Yea under him and nine other Emperours, there was ſuch an innumerable company of innocent Christians put to death and tormented, that St Hierom in his Epiſtle to Chromatius and Heleod… …aith, There is no one day in the year, unto which the number of five thouſand Martyrs might not be aſcribed, except only the firſt day of January. Yea there was two thouſand ſuffered in the ſame place and at the ſame time with Nicanor, Acts and Monuments pag. 32. who were put to the moſt exquiſite deaths and torments, that ever the wit or malice of men or devils could invent to inflict upon them, and all for profeſſing the faith of Christ and being holy: which makes St Paul cry out, I think that God hath ſet forth us the last Apoſtles, as men appointed to death! 1 Cor. 4.9.
CHAP. VI.
SIxtly, From the Primitive times and infancy of the Church hitherto; the Turk and the Pope have acted their parts in ſhedding the blood of the Saints, as well as the Jews and Roman Emperours; touching which I will refer you to the Book of Acts and Monuments: and Revel. 17. The whore of Babylon was drunk with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus, ver. 6. Which in part was fulfilled in England under the reign of Queen Mary: and in France, where before many late bloody maſſacres, there were more then two hundred thouſand who ſuffered Martyrdom about Tranſubſtantiation: See Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtory, lib. 6. cap. 4, 5, 16. But
Seventhly, To come to theſe preſent times wherein we live: Is it poſſible for a man to live a conſcionable and unreprovable life? abſtain from drunkenneſse, ſwearing, prophaning the Lords day, ſeparate himſelf from evil company, be zealous for the glory of God, admoniſh others that do amiſſe, &c. without being traduced, calumniated, hated, ſlandered and perſecuted for the ſame? no it is not poſſible: for if a man but walk according to the rule of Gods word, he is too preciſe: if he will be more then almoſt a Christian, he is curious, phantaſticall, factious, and ſhall be mockt with the spirit. What ſhould I ſay? the world is grown ſo much knave, that 'tis now a vice to be honeſt. True, bleſſed be God and good Laws, we ſuffer little but the laſh of evil tongues; but were wicked mens powers anſwerable to their wills and malice, they would not ſuffer a godly man to live, as I ſhall in due place ſhew you.
Eighthly, For the time to come: It is like not only to continue, but the laſt remnants of time are ſure to have the moſt of it; becauſe as in them …ove ſhall wax cold, Matth. 24.12. ſo as love groweth cold, contention groweth hot.
More expreſly the Holy Ghoſt foretells, that in the last dayes the times ſhall be perilous, and that toward the end of the world, there ſhall be ſcoffers, falſe accuſers, curſed speakers, fierce, deſpiſers of them that are good; and being fleſhly not having the ſpirit, they ſhall ſpeak evil of the things which they underſtand not: and that many ſhall follow their damnable wayes, whereby the way of truth ſhall be evil ſpoken of. And that as Jannes and Jambres withſtood Moſes, ſo theſe alſo ſhall reſiſt the truth, being men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith, being before of old ordained to condemnation, 2 Tim. 3.1, to 13. 2 Pet. 2 2. and 3.3. Jude 4.10.16, 18, 19. And ſo much of the third particular.
CHAP. VII.
FOurthly, It would be conſidered, that what you ſuffer is far ſhort of what others have ſuffered before you; for whereas you ſuffer a little tongue-perſecution, your betters and ſuch as the world was not worthy of, have ſuffered cruell mockings, and ſcourgings, bonds, and impriſonments; were ſtoned, ſawn aſunder, tempted, ſlain with the ſword: endured the violence of fire; were wract, wandered about in deſarts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, in ſheep-skins and goat-skins, deſtitute, afflicted, tortured and tormented: Not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better reſurrection, Heb. 11.35, to 39. Yea turn over Eccleſiaſticall History, and you ſhall finde that ſome of the Martyrs were ſtoned, ſome crucified, ſome beheaded, ſome thruſt thorow with ſpears, ſome burnt with fire, ſome broyled, ſome brained; with many the like and worſe kindes of death: for we read of no leſſe then twenty nine ſeverall deaths they were put unto. But to cleer your ſight, Ile give you ſome particular inſtances of the ſeverall wayes that the beſt of Gods people have ſuffered before you.
Firſt, You ſhall finde, that it hath been the manner of wicked men, out of this enmity, to envy the vertuous and good eſtate of the godly: as Cain envied Abel, Gen. 4.5. Saul David, 1 Sam. 18.28, 29. and thoſe unbeleeving Jews Paul, Acts 17.13.
Secondly, To contemn their ſuppoſed mean eſtate, as Sanballat, Tobiah and Gerſhom, with the reſt of that crue contemned Nehemiah and the Jews, Nehem. 4.1, 2, 3. Rabſheke Hezekiah and his people, 2 King. 18.19, to 36. And the Epicurean Philoſophers Paul. Acts 17.18.
Thirdly, To rejoyce at their ſuppoſed evil eſtate, as the Princes of the Philiſtins did at Sampſons blindneſſe and bondage, Judg. 16.25. Peninnah at Hannahs barrenneſſe, eſpecially when ſhe went up to the houſe of the Lord, 1 Sam. 1.6, 7. And the Jews at the Diſciples and the reſt of the Church, when Herod vexed ſome, and ſlew others, Acts 12.1, 2, 3.
Fourthly, To hate them, as all carnall men hate the members of Chriſt, Matth. 10.22. Ahab Eliah, 1 King. 22.8. and 18.10. And Haman Mordecai, Eſth. 3.5, to 15.
CHAP. VIII.
FIftly, To murmur againſt them, as Labans ſons murmured againſt Jacob, Gen. 31.1. The Iſraelites againſt Moſes and Aaron, Numb. 11.1. and 14.2, 3. and the Labourers in the vineyard, againſt the Maſter of the houſe and their fellowes, Matth. 20.11, 15.
Sixtly, To cenſure their actions and miſconſter their intentions, as Eliab did Davids zeal for Gods glory, in fighting with Goliah, 1 Sam. 17.28. and thoſe wicked ones his faſting and mourning, Pſal. 35.13, to 17. Thus Jobs friends cenſured him for an hypocrite, Job 4.6, to 11. and the Jews Chriſtianity to be hereſie, and Paul the Preacher of it a peſtilent fellow, a mover of ſedition, and maintainer of ſciſme: yea all the Diſciples to be deceivers, 2 Cor. 6.8.
Seventhly, By carrying tales of them unto others, as Cham did to his brethren of Noahs nakedneſse, Gen. 9.22. Doeg to Saul of David and Abimeleck, 1 Sam. 22.9, 10. and the Ziphims, 1 Sam. 23.19, 20. and 26.1. And thoſe Libertines with other ſuborned men againſt Steven to the Counſell of Prieſts, Acts 6.8, to 15.
Eightly, To perſwade and give diveliſh counſell to others like themſelves to perſecute them; as Balam to Balaack againſt the Children of Iſrael, when he could not be ſuffered to curſe them Rev. 2.14. The Princes and Rulers to Zedekiah the King againſt Jeremiah, Jer. 38.4. and the Jews of Theſſalonica to the people of Bereah againſt Paul, Acts 17.13.
Ninethly, To ſcoff at them, as Iſhmael ſcoft at Iſaac, Gen. 21.9. Rabſheke at Hezekiah and his people, 2 King. 18.27. and the Philoſophers at Paul, Acts 17.18, to 21.
Tenthly, To nick-name them, as Ahab nick-named Eliah, 1 King. 18.17. the wicked Job and David, Pſal. 35.13, 14. Job 4.6, to 11. the Courtiers Jeremiah, Jer. 37, 15, &c. and the Jews Paul, Acts 24.14. and all the Diſciples, 1 Cor. 4.9.10.
Eleventhly, To revile and rayle on them, as Goliah reviled and railed on the Hoſt of Iſrael and their God, 1 Sam. 17.45. Shemai upon David, 2 Sam. 16.7. and likewiſe the Mighty men, Pſal. 31.13. and the Jews upon Paul and Barnabas, Acts 13.45.
Twelfthly, To raiſe ſlanders of them, as thoſe wicked men ſlandered Naboth, confirming the ſame with an oath, 1 King. 21. the wicked David, Pſal. 57.4. and the multitude John Baptiſt, Matth. 11.18,
Thirteenthly, To curſe them, as Goliah curſed David, 1 Sam. 17.43. and alſo Shemei, 2 Sam. 16.7, to 15. the Heathen Iſrael, Zach. 8.13. and all wicked men the godly, Matth. 5.44.
Fourteenthly, To threaten them, as all the men of Sodom did Lot, Gen. 19.9. Jehoram Eliſha, 2 King. 6.31. and as Paul before his converſion did the Diſciples, Acts 9.2.
Fifteenthly, By ſubtilty to vndermine them in talk, that they might betray them; as Saul cauſed his ſervants to undermine David by flattery to work his confuſion, 1 Sam. 18.14. and again, ver. 21, 25. the falſe Prophets and other enemies of the truth Jeremiah, ſeeking every way to deſtroy him, Jer. 18.18, &c. and certain of the Synagogue Steven, Acts 6.9, 10.
CHAP. IX.
SIxteenthly, By uſing ſcornfull and diſdainfull geſtures to deſpight them; as Goliah againſt David, 1 Sam. 17.42. and alſo thoſe wicked ones, Pſal. 22.7, 13. and 35.16. and 109.25. Others againſt Iob, Job 16.10. The ſcoffing Idolaters againſt the godly in Iſaiahs time, Iſa. 57.3, 4. and the Labourers in the Parable againſt the Maſter of the Vineyard, and their fellows, Matth. 20 15.
Seventeenthly, To withſtand and contrary the doctrine which they are commanded by God to deliver: As Zedekiah the falſe prophet did Michaiahs doctrine, 1 King. 22.24. the Prieſts, Prophets and all the people Jeremiahs, Jer. 26.8, 9. and Elymas the Sorcerer Paul and Barnabas in their preaching, Acts 13.8.
Eighteenthly, To combine themſelves together and lay divelliſh plots to deſtroy them; as the new King of Egypt with his people did againſt the children of Iſrael, Exod. 1.9, 10. the hundreth and twenty Governours, to work Daniels overthrow, Dan. 6. And Demetrius with the reſt of the Craftſmen conſpired the death of Pauls companions, Acts 19. and likewiſe more then forty of the Jews, which bound themſelves by a curſe, not to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul; in which conſpiracy the chief Prieſts were likewiſe aſſiſtants, Acts 23.12, 13, 14.
Nineteenthly, To impriſon them, as Ahab did Michaiah, 1 King. 22.27. the malicious Prieſts Ieremiah, Jer. 36.5. and all wicked men the godly, when it is in their power, Luk. 21.12. as they ſerved John Baptiſt, Peter, Paul and many other of the Apoſtles, Acts 5.18. and 12.4. and 4.3. and 22.25. and 28.17. 2 Cor. 11.23.
Twentieth, To ſtrike them, as Zedekiah the falſe Prophet ſtrook Michaiah, 1 King. 22.24, Paſhur Ieremiah, Jer. 20.2. and the Princes alſo, chap. 37.15. and Ananias the High Prieſt Paul, Acts 23.2. as alſo the Jews, 2 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25.
Twenty one, To hurt and maim them, as the whole Congregation of the children of Iſrael would have ſerved thoſe true hearted spies, for ſpeaking well of the Land of Canaan, had not the glory of the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, Numb. 14.10. the Philiſtims Sampſon, Judg. 16.21. and the Jews of Antiochia and Iconium Paul, Acts 14.19.
Twenty two and laſtly, To ſlay them, as Doeg ſlew Ahimeleck and the reſt of the Prieſts, 1 Sam. 22, 29. Iezabell all the Prophets of the Lord ſhe could finde, 1 King. 18.4. Ieruſalem the Prophets, Matth. 23.37. and Herod all the male-children that were in Bethlehem and all the coaſts thereof, that he might make ſure work with Chriſt, Matth. 2.16.
CHAP. X.
NOw to ſpeak nothing in this place of the diverſity of deaths and tortures, that millions of Martyrs have ſuffered for profeſsing of Chriſts Name and keeping of a good conſcience, though their ſufferings were nothing, either to what their ſins had deſerved, or to what their Saviour had done and ſuffered for them; for he endured many a little death all his life for our ſakes, and at length that painfull, ſhamefull and curſed death …f the croſse: yea he ſuffered every one of theſe two and twenty wayes befo…ementioned, and that from his own countrymen and kinsfolks, yea of the Chief Prieſts, Scribes and Phariſees, who were teachers and expounders of the Law, and which ſate in Moſes chair. For he was envied, Matth. 26.15. Contemned, Matth. 12.24. and 13.55. Rejoyced at in his miſery and diſtreſſe, Matth. 27.29. Hated, Joh. 7.7. Murmured against, Luk. 15.2. Had his actions and intentions miſconſtrued, Matth. 11.19. Had tales carryed of him, Matth. 12.14. and diveliſh counſel given againſt him, Matth. 27.20. was ſcoffed at, Matth. 27.42. Nick-named, Matth. 13.55. Railed on, Luk. 23.39. Slandered, Matth. 28.13. Curſed, Gal. 3.13. Threatned, Joh. 11.53. Undermined in talk that they might accuſe him, Matth. 22.15. They uſed diſdainfull gestures before him, Matth. 27.29, 39. Withſtood him in his preaching, and contraried his doctrine, Luk 5.21. Matth. 9.34. Combined together and laid divelliſh plots to deſtroy him, Matth. 12.14. Took him priſoner, Matth. 26.57. Smote him, Luk. 22.64. Hurt and wounded him, Matth. 27.29. Joh. 19.34. And laſtly they put him to death, Matth. 27.35. And why all this? not for any evil they found in him; for their own words are, He hath done all things well, Mark. 7.37. He hath done, ſuch was his power: all things, ſuch was his wiſdom: well, ſuch was his goodneſſe: and yet crucified and every way abuſed he muſt be. But it was for his zeal, purity and holineſſe, and becauſe his life and practice was clean contrary to theirs; his doctrine too powerfull and pure for ſuch carnall hearts to imbrace or endure. Now caſt up thy Receits, and compare them with thy deſervings; look upon thy deliverance from the fire of hell: Yea look but upon thy ſufferings ſingle, and thou ſhalt finde them nothing, to what thy fellow Saints and Chriſt thy elder brother hath ſuffered before thee. At a Lyons den, or a fiery furnace not to turn tayl, were ſomething worthy a Chriſtian. Yea compare thine own eſtate with thine enemies, and thou ſhalt ſee yet greater cauſe to be not only patient but thankfull. For if theſe ſcoffs and flouts of men like thy ſelf are ſo grievous to thee, how will thine and Gods enemies indure thoſe mocks and flouts of the divels in hell? how will they indure that devouring fire, that everlaſting burning, Iſa. 33.14. Pſal 68.21. And the way not to repine at thoſe above us, is to look at thoſe below us. But leaving the application untill the concluſion,
CHAP. XI.
FIftly, Conſider but ſeriouſly, who they are, that hate, ſcoff and jeer you and that have perſecuted the Saints before you, and mockt at holineſſe and this may ſerve exceedingly to ſupport you againſt whatever you ſhal… hear or feel from them. As firſt, what is their Character in the Scripture are they not ſuch as theſe? A company of hypocrites, Pſal. 35. Hypocriticall mockers, ver. 16. a crue of drunkards, Pſal. 69. I am a ſong of the dru… kards, ver. 12. a ſort of vicious perſons, following their luſts, 2 Pet. 3.… There ſhall come mockers, walking after their own luſts. A company of abje… perſons, Pſal. 35.15. like thoſe enemies, Acts 17. Lewd fellowes of the baſ… ſort, ver. 5. A rout of prophane, godleſs, irreligious atheiſts and ignorant foo… that do no more know the power, then Turks and heathens know the tru… of godlineſſe, Pſal. 14.1, to 6. And it is a ſhrewd ſuſpition, that he w… is a mocker is an atheiſt: It well becomes him to mock at Religion, th… denies a God: and it is evident enough that he denies a God, that mocks at godlineſſe. But ſecondly, Experience ſufficiently acquaints us what they are, and the examples before rehearſed; for ſuch as Cain, and the Sodomites, and Iſhmael, and Eſau, and Haman, and Eliab, and Goliah, and Michal, and Doeg, and Shemy, and Rabſheke, and Ahab, and Iezabel, and Tobia, and Sanballat, and Paſhur, and Ze…ekiah, and Herod, and Iudas: and St Paul before his converſion, and Ananias the High Prieſt, and Dometrius the ſilverſmith, and Alexander the copper ſmith, and Elimas the Sorcerer: ſuch as theſe I ſay are the men, who amongſt us do the like things that they did. And will any wiſe man ſtumble at Religion for ſuch mens ſcoffs and reproaches? what better can be expected from them? What ſaid the Orator to Saluſt? It cannot be, but he that lives thy life ſhould ſpeak thy language: yea a man would chooſe his Religion by ſuch mens enmity, and it is a great honour to Religion that it hath ſuch adverſaries. For as the Primitive Chriſtians uſed to ſay when Nero perſecuted them; they that know him muſt needs think it ſome great good which Nero ſo hated and condemned; ſo every wiſe man will love Religion the better, and take it for a great honour to the Saints, that hypocrites, drunkards, vitious followers of their luſts, baſe and lewd fellowes, godleſs atheists, and blind ſenſualiſts are her ſcoffing adverſaries: And ſcarce do I know a better argument to perſwade to love and embrace it, then that ſuch men hate and deride it: neither can it be the true Religion, which is not every where thus ſpoken againſt, Acts 28.22. But
CHAP. XII.
SIxtly and laſtly, Obſerve but the reaſons why they do it; and this will notably confirm and ſtrengthen you againſt their ſcoffs and ſcorns.
Convert. Have they any reaſon for their ſo doing?
Miniſter. Not properly: For as the Prophet very often complains, they are mine enemies without a cauſe, and they hate me without a cauſe, &c. Pſal. 35.7. and 69.4. though they pretended many cauſes. So they have no juſt cauſe nor reaſon to hate, cenſure and ſlander us as they do; for no evil deed can have a good reaſon: yet they do it not without many by-reaſons and ſelf ends. As
Firſt, Their ignorance is a main cauſe of it, naturall men in heavenly things, reſemble ſhell-fiſh, that have no ſmell; or the Camelion, that hath no taſt, at leaſt they ſee no more then the bark or outſide of ſpirituall performances, 2 Sam, 6.16. And the fleſh (Satans ready inſtrument) will be ever ſuggeſting to them ſtrange ſurmiſes touching what the religious either ſay or do. As is evident by what is recorded of Michol, 2 Sam. 6.16. of Nicodemus, Joh. 3.4. of Feſtus, Acts 26.24. and laſtly of Paul before his converſion, 1 Tim. 1.13. who was no ſooner enlightned with the ſaving knowledge of the truth, but he preacht that faith which before he condemned and perſecuted.
And for teſtimonies to confirm it theſe are pregnant, Ioh. 15.21. and 16.2, 3. Matth. 16.23. and 22.29. Luke 19.42. 1 Cor. 2.8. Pſal. 2.2.
Though experience may ſave that labour: for how ſeverely will theſe ignorant perſons cenſure and ſlander not only things indifferent, but the moſt approved good duties; while they will patiently paſſe by the moſt hainous crimes: an infallible ſign of a man not born anew.
And ſtill the more ſottiſh the more cenſorious; for where is leaſt brain, there is moſt tongue and lowdeſt. And as ignorance gives diſparagement a lowder tongue then knowledge does, ſo alwayes they that know leaſt will cenſure moſt and moſt deeply. It is from the weakest judgements that the heavieſt judgement comes.
Secondly, Sometimes on the other ſide, they will cenſure and ſlander them in policie: that while the ſtanders by are taken up with jeering at our ſuppoſed ſimplicity, they may not minde their paſt and intended reall villany. Therein imitating a thief, who being purſued in a croud, will be forwardeſt in crying ſtop thief, that ſo he may neither be attached nor ſuſpected: The caſe of Athaliah, 2 King. 11.14.
Thirdly, Another reaſon may be this; Who ſo hath any thing fixed, either in their perſons or conditions which cauſeth contempt, As they are commonly very bold, ſo they have a kinde of ſpur in them, and are moſt induſtriouſly ſtirred up to watch, obſerve and cenſure the weakneſſes of others; that ſo they may have ſomewhat again to repay. See the caſe of Shemei touching David, 2 Sam. 16.7. of the High Prieſts, Scribes and Phariſees touching our Saviour, Luk. 5.21. Matth. 9.3, 34. and 12.1, 2. and 16.17. and 21.2, 14, 15, 16, 24, 45, 46. and 22.15, 16, 17. and 27.41, 42. And laſtly of Iudas touching Mary, Joh. 12.4, 5.