Crosses Comforts Counsels Needful to be Considered, Sermon 1

Crosses Comforts Counsels Needful to be Considered · Sermon 1

p. 5CROSSES. The firſt Sermon, preached the 12. day of March; 1643.

LUKE XXI. 16.

Yee ſhall be betrayed both by Parents, and Brethren, and Kinſmen, and Friends, and ſome of you ſhall they cauſe to be put to death.

Verſ. 17.

And yee ſhall be hated of all men for my Names ſake.

THere be four parts in this Chapter; in the firſt part untill the fifth verſe Chriſt commendeth the poore widow, who caſt in her two mites into the treaſurie.

There be contributions appointed now for Gods church in great p. 6diſtreſſe: A publict faſt with teares and prayers have been ordained to be through the whole land from Dan even to Beerſhebah. **Sam. 17.11 Note.Happy art thou who ever thou be, if from a ſincere heart thou contribute the leaſt mite of a holy grone for the well of Zion, Pſal. 122.6Ps 122:6the pſalmiſt ſaith, they ſhall proſper that love thee: In the ſecond part of this chapter from the fifth verſe untill the twentiefive, Chriſt fortelleth the deſtruction of the Temple: All glory muſt go down that ſtands not by Chriſts favour; Chriſt was unwelcome to that Temple, and therefore a ſtone was not left upon a ſtone: alſo it behoved all ceremonies to flee away quickly after the comming of that bright and glorious Sun, the Sun of righteouſneſſe.Mal. 4.2Mal 4:2

In the third part from the twenty and fifth verſe untill the thirtie and fourth, it is declared what p. 7ſignes ſhould appear before the laſt day: When that day ſhall come, then all Gods children ſhall get reſt, Rev. 21.4Rev 21:4all teares ſhall bee wiped from their eyes.

In the fourth part, from the thirtie and fourth verſe untill the end, the LORD exhorteth all his ſervants to be watchfull, There was never greater need to watch and pray then at this time, for there were never greater dangers nor moe tentations; for this cauſe, I in Chriſts owne wordes exhort you all, Watch and pray, Mat. 26.41Matt 26:41that yee enter not into temptation.

The words of my text, are within the compaſſe of the ſecond part; they containe diverſe croſſes that were to come upon Chriſts ſervants, before the deſtruction of the Temple of Jeruſalem.

Before the deſtruction of a nation, a city or familie, or private man, the LORD ordinarly giveth p. 8warnings leſſe or more: **Note.As in temporall things, ſignes before tempeſts appeare; as ſweating of ſtones, flying of foules; noiſe of dams and great water falls threeds on the graſſe, a red ſun and a lowring skie in the morning; ſo before deſolations of countreys, deſtructions of cities, families, or private men, the Lord ordinarly giveth warning that men may make good uſe of the ſame.

As for us, let us not be like theſe to whom the Lord ſaid, O yee hypocrites, Math. 16.9Matt 16:9yee can diſcerne the face of the skie, but can yee not diſcerne the ſignes of the times? that is, the ſignes going before the firſt comming of Chriſt; now we may diſcerne the ſignes of great judgements to come on this unthankfull generation.

In the words of this text, there is a warning given by Chriſt to his diſciples, concerning great troubles p. 9that were to come upon them; yee, ſaid be, ſhall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinſefolkes, and friends.

This text is moſt fit for this time, wherein we may moſt clearly ſee ſignes of horrible troubles coming upon Gods church: Note.The Lord is threatning to plead againſt us both with famine and blood: Eze. 38.22Ezek 38:22let us now come to the words wherein we have to ſpeak of croſſes.

The diviſion of the text. IN the words that I have read, there is a prediction of great croſſes and calamities to come upon Chriſts ſervants; there bee three parts of the text: In the firſt, Chriſt for telleth that they ſhall be betrayed; In the ſecond part he declareth that ſome of them ſhall be put to death; In the third part hee ſhoweth that they ſhall be hated of all men for his names ſake; Of theſe p. 10I ſhall ſpeak in order as God ſhall aſſiſt me by his holy Spirit.

I. PART. Betraying.

IN all the parts of this text, the Lord forwarneth his diſciples both preſent and to come, of very great troubles; yee, ſaid he, ſhall be betrayed both by parents and kinſefolkes and friends, &c.

Obſerve heere firſt in generall, The doctrine.the great mercy of God towards his own children; he ſenſibly giveth them warning before troubles come; he telleth them moſt plainly that heer is not their reſt, but that they muſt look for many troubles, even troubles of all ſorts: The Lord in forwarning his children of troubles, hath one of theſe two ends before him; either he doeth ſo that his ſervants may eſcape the danger, Gen. 6.13Gen 6:13ſo Noah was warned by God to make an Arke, and to ſave himſelf and his familie from the p. 11flood; Gen. 19.15Gen 19:15ſo Lot was warned by the Angel to flee from Sodome, before fire came down and deſtroyed it; or elſe God giveth to his ſervants forewarning of troubles, that they may prepare themſelves to beare them the more patientlie and couragiouſly; for this end eſpeciallie hee made his Apoſtles acquainted before hand, that very great troubles were to fall upon them.

The uſe, The uſe.let us all take this warning to our ſelves wee have had a long peace, but let us not look, for a perpetuall proſperitie; Gods Church below is a militant Church ever in a warfare; as long as the divell and wicked men are permitted to goe looſe in the world, the church ſhall not want her enemies; Pſal. 30.6Ps 30:6It was a verie fooliſh word that David ſaid, I ſaid in my proſperitie, I ſhall never bee moved, but what followed? thou didſt hide thy face and I was troubled. Note.God for the p. 12ſins of this land doeth threaten to hide his face; if he do ſo, we all ſhall be troubled: how ever it go, we are much beholden to the Lord who theſe years bypaſt hath given us ſo many warnings, whereas he might have ſuffered us with the wicked to returne and be aſhamed ſuddenly; Pſal. 6.11Ps 6:11**Note.He hath not at the firſt ſaid to us as he ſaid to his own people Iſrael, Exo. 33.5Exod 33:5I will come up into the midſt of thee in a moment, and conſume thee; theſe five or ſix years bypaſt, the Lord hath been ſtill threatning with judgements after judgements, to come up into the midſt of us, for to conſume us; he hath not ſpoken of moments but of years, and for moments, hath given us years to repent in; and woe unto us if we make not good uſe of ſuch a rare and wonderfull mercy.

Let us now from the generall come to the particulars; the Lord in this text giveth his diſciples warning p. 13of three particular evils, firſt betraying: ſecondly, putting to death of ſome; thirdly an univerſall hatred for his names ſake; firſt we have to ſpeak of betraying.

The firſt evill he forewarnes them of, is betraying; the word in the originall ſignifieth to yeeld, to commit, to give over, or betray; theſe by whom they ſhould bee betrayed, are here foure in number: 1. their parents: 2. their brethren: 3. their kinſemen: 4. their friends; Chriſt in Mathew maketh mention of the like unnaturall dealing; the brother ſaith he, Mat. 10.21Matt 10:21ſhall deliver up the brother to death and the father the childe, and the children ſhall riſe up againſt their parents, and cauſe them to be put to death: **Note.The ſenſe of all theſe words is, as if the Lord had ſaid to his Apoſtles, & to all the faithfull; your troubles ſhall be very great, for they ſhall proceed not only p. 14from ſtrangers, but from your deareſt and neareſt in nature, even from your parents, children, brethren kinſmen, friends, from whom in all worldly appearance yee might expect your greateſt comforts, as being theſe whoſe bowels ſhould be full of favour and tender love for to procure your good.

Obſerve here that Gods deareſt children, The doctrine.who are Pſal. 119.38. devoted to Gods fear, are ſubject to great afflictions; the trouble is very piercing when we are croſſed by theſe who ſhould be our ſpeciall comfort. **Note.After that David had ſpoken of many that had troubled him, he melting for heavineſſe ſubjoyned this as more then all, Pſal. 41.9Ps 41:9yet my familiar friend in whom I truſted which did eat of my bread, hath lift up his heele againſt me, this was ſaid of Ahitophel in the firſt place, and after of Judas his treachery, againſt Chriſt, of whom Chriſt ſaid p. 15in the new Teſtament, Iohn 13.18John 13:18He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heele againſt me, when a maſter is betrayed by his ſervant, when a Father or a mother is croſſed by their children, the affliction is very painfull to bear; Jobs friends were a great grief unto him, their words wounded him more on the doung hill, then the evill he had received by the Sabeans and Caldeans, who had robbed him of all his goods.

The 1. uſe; The 1. uſe.when ſuch things befall us, that our neareſt friends trouble us, let us remember that ſuch hath beene the caſe of the deareſt of Gods children; **Note.1 Sam. 14.44 2 Sam. 15.12 Iohn. 18.21 Sam 14:442 Sam 15:12John 18:2Jonathan had a perſecuting father and David a perſecuting ſonne, and Chriſt had a traitour ſervant: and to all the apoſtles it is ſaid here, yee ſhall be betrayed both by parents and by brethren, Pſal. 116.19Ps 116:19and kinsmen and friends;

The 2. uſe: **The 2. uſe. Note.Let us learn here p. 16neither in the cauſe of God, nor yet in things that concerne our ſelves to truſt in any man; Job ſaid, my friends ſcorn me, Job. 16.20Job 16:20many may ſay the like: behold here how parents and brethren and kinſemen and friends turne all traitours to betray the ſervants of the Lord; **Note.There is only one father that cannot betray his children even God our father, only one Brother, and only one friend, only one kinſeman Chriſt, that changeth not in his love; but as for men all men are lyers, Pſal. 73.26Ps 73:26David ſaid that God failed him never. **Note.If men in theſe laſt dayes had the eyes of Eliſhah, to ſee within the breaſts of men, 2 King. 8.112 Kgs 8:11as hee looked into Hazael, they would ſee in many familiar friends things to be done, for which they might juſtly in Hazaels words. be called dogges rather then men. **Note.God hath hid many particulars from our eyes, but he hath told us this in generall, p. 17that many who ſeeme to be our greateſt friends, will not faile to betray us. A man ſitting at the Sermon like a childe ſucking his mothers breaſts, will bee ready to betray the preacher; when he finds his time, hee will ſpit out the ſincere milk of Gods Word, 1 Pet. 2.21 Pet 2:2and call it the bitter gall of treaſon: **Note.As Jrijah the Captaine of the Ward falſly accuſed the Prophet Jeremiah, ſaying, Thou art a Traitour, Jer. 37.13Jer 37:13Thou falleſt away to the Caldeans; to ſuch many Preachers may ſay, Job 19.2Job 19:2as Job ſaid to his naughtie friends, How long will yee vexe my ſoule, and breake me in pieces with words?

**Note.In my judgement Satan in this land hath a neſt of cockatrices egges, where for a time he ſitteth very ſtill and quyet, untill he hath hatched a number of traitours, diveliſh Doegs, who being his chickens, will anone come out of his neſt, and flie abroad for the delating p. 18and betraying of many.

**Note.There bee in this land many profeſſours, they are not papiſts; but what then? Give them peace and plentie, and let them ſee the rivers, Job. 20.17Job 20:17the floods, the brooks of honey and butter, and little ſhall they care for any Religion; all is one to them to be for God or for Baal; they have a ſtomach of an Oſtrich, that will be able to digeſt a ſervice book, before they loſſe a ridge of their land: before ſuch take up Chriſts Croſſe to ſuffer, they will rather take up the Tabernacle of Moloch, Act. 7.43Acts 7:43and the ſtar of the god Remphan; Such with all their faire outward profeſſion in dayes of peace, are but like a potſheard, Pro. 23.23Prov 23:23covered with ſilver droſſe. Others are Judas like, who firſt ſerved Chriſt for the bagge, Math. 27.3Matt 27:3and afterwards ſerved his enemies for thirtie pieces of ſilver. **Note.Thouſands if they once imagine that there is more profite by ſerving p. 19the queene of Heaven, then the KING of Heaven, will keepe all their incenſe and drink offerings for her; who would have thought that ever Gods people would have ſpoken theſe words, Jer. 44.18Jer 44:18Since wee left off to burne incenſe to the queene of Heaven, that is, to the Sunne or Moone, we have beene conſumed by the ſword, and by the famine.

**Note.Thouſands in this land who have ſubſcribed with their hand unto the LORD, Iſa. 44.5Isa 44:5and ſurnamed themſelves Covenanters, are this day readie, like Ahola and Aholibah, Ezek. 23.5Ezek 23:5to play the harlot with idoles, before that for Religion they put on the ſheep-ſkins, and the goat-ſkins, Heb. 11.37Heb 11:37for to go wander up and down, or for to dwell in caves; **Note.or to quite their dainties, for like poor bodies, to go in rags, Job 30.4Job 30:4and cut up mallowes by the buſhes, and juniper roots for their meate. Alas, the love of Chriſt conſtraineth few in this land to p. 20have but a reſolution to ſuffer; Wee of this nation, for the moſt part, are like the church of Sardis, Rev. 3.1.Rev 3:1wee have a name that wee live, but are dead; yea, Eze. 24.6.Ezek 24:6we are like a pot whoſe ſcumme is not gone out of it: there be few that regard that glorious Covenant of life and peace: Mal. 2.5.Mal 2:5to many may be ſaid, Mal. 2.8.Mal 2:8Yee have corrupted the Covenant of Levi.

**Note.Fy, fy upon the treachery of many, fy upon our diviſions, Have we not all one Father? Mal. 2.10Mal 2:10Hath not one God created us? Are we not all men of one countrey? Have we not of late beene all compaſſed with the common enemie, papiſts, atheiſts, and Armenians? Have we not all ſworne one Covenant? Have wee not abjured all diviſive motions? And now, why do we deale treacherouſly every man againſt his brother, Mal. 2.10Mal 2:10by profaining the Covenant of our Fathers? And now why are we become treacherous to Chriſt our huſband, p. 29as women that breake wedlock? Eze. 16.38Ezek 16:38Our danger, Gen. 4.7.Gen 4:7like Cains ſin lieth at the door: our iniquities have highly provoked God to wrath; He in a rage may juſtly ſay to this nation, as in Hoſeas time hee ſaid to Iſrael, Yee have tranſgreſſed my Covenant, Hol. 8.1and treſpaſſed against my Law.

If we repent not in time, he in his furie ſhall joine the bloody ſword with this threatned famine, Ezek. 14.17Ezek 14:17ſaying, Sword goe through the land. At ſuch a time as this it was heard in Iſrael, Thus ſaith the Lord, Ezek. 21.9.Ezek 21:9Say a ſword, a ſword is ſharpened, and alſo fourbiſhed. 10.It is ſharpened to make a ſore ſlaughter: it is fourbiſhed, that it may glitter: ſhould we then make mirth? Is this a time for laughter? We are called to lamentations, Zeph. 2.2Zeph 2:2for the Decree is ſo far advanced againſt us, that except with all haſte wee returne to God, wee ſhall be made a ſpectacle of amazement; though theſe three men, Noah, p. 22Daniel, Eze. 14.20Ezek 14:20and Job were all three this day living in Scotland, they ſhould not be able to deliver us.

Who doth not ſee moſt fearfull breaking out of monſtruous ſins in all the quarters of the land? Hoſ. 4.2.Hos 4:2We all may well ſay with Jeremiah, Jer. 14.7Jer 14:7Our iniquities teſtifie againſt us, and our backſlidings are many, **Note.yea we have preſſed God under us, Amos 2.13Amos 2:13as a Cart is preſſed that is full of ſheaves, and therefore we moſt juſtly deſerve to bee abhoreed of all, ſo that in our greateſt trouble none ſhould go aſide for once to aske how wee doe.Jer. 15.5Jer 15:5

Seeing this land is ſo crammed with numbers of men, who dayly by their diviſive motions breake Gods Covenant, let not a man either truſt in his father, or in his ſon, or in his kinſmen, or in his friends; the world is full of treaſon, Chriſt and his Servants are betrayed by many: of too many p. 23in Scotland this day may God ſay to his Servants, as he ſaid to Ezekiel concerning Iſrael, Son of man, Eze. 22.18Ezek 22:18the houſe of Iſrael is to me become droſſe; **Note.Many are like Jeremiahs rotten linnen girdle, Jer. 13.10Jer 13:10which was good for nothing.

II. PART. Putting to Death.

After betraying, the Lord heer ſpeaketh to his diſciples of putting ſome of them to death; Some of you, ſaid he, ſhall they cauſe to be put to death.

Obſerve heere how wicked men, The doctrine. Hoſ. 4.8.Hos 4:8who, as the Prophet ſpeaketh, ſet their heart on iniquitie, can not be tyed by any bonds of love; they ever grow worſe and worſe; behold heer how after they have betrayed Gods ſervants, they can not reſt, untill they cauſe ſome of them to be put to death; under colour of freindſhip p. 24they confer with them familiarly, or come to heare them, for to ſteal ſome wordes, which they may ſo wreſt, as to make them treaſonable, and the ſpeakers traitoures; If any man ſhould defend us and ſave our life it is a father, a friend, a brother or kinſeman, or friends; a freind, ſaith Solomon, is borne for affliction, Pro. 18.24Prov 18:24and there is a freind that ſticketh cloſer then a brother.

**Note.Worldly friends and kinſemen are often very ſenſible in wrongs done to their friends in earthly maters, as carnall quarrels, O then they will hive together like Bees, and cluſter like burres; but if the cauſe of Chriſt be in queſtion, Satan draweth away unſanctified mens hearts, and of freinds turneth them foes, for to delate them, and cauſe ſome of them to be put to deathThe uſe.

The uſe, **Note.Let us learne that carnall p. 25bands can not tie men in ſpirituall matters; neere in bloud, but not in GOD, can not have ſolide love, Dan. 2.43Dan 2:43they are like the yron and myrie clay of the feet of Nebuchadnezzars image, which could not cleave one to another: By this let us know, what it is of all ſortes of friendſhip that is not grounded upon God.

Obſerve here againe, The doctrine.that Chriſt ſaith heere, they ſhall cauſe ſome of you to be put to death: ſome but not all; where wee may learne, that God calleth not all his ſervants to be Martyres: **Note.When Peter had heard of Chriſt that in his old dayes he ſhould bee a martyre, hee incontinent enquired what ſhould become of John; Lord ſaid he, Ioh. 21.21John 21:21and what ſhall this man doe? as if he had ſaid, ſhall hee bee bound and led away alſo? the Lords anſwere was, what is that to thee? * The Lord in his wiſdome, permitteth ſome p. 26of his ſervants to be all their dayes like Peter when hee was young, having libertie to gird themſelves and goe whether they would to bee free of fetters and priſon; Iohn 21.18John 21:18Sometimes hee will hide his ſervants from troubles, Iſa. 26.20Isa 26:20Come my people ſaid he enter into thy chambers and ſhut thy doores about thee; hide thy ſelf for a little moment, untill the indignation be paſt; Some of his ſervants he will laden with temporall bleſſings in aboundance; Eze. 34.15Ezek 34:15I, ſaid the Lord, will feede my flock, and I will cauſe them to lie downe all they that worſhip; as upon fat leaſures.

**Note.All the true worſhippers of God are not alwayes poore and leane no not, the pſalmeſt ſaith, that they that be fat upon the earth ſhall eat and worſhip, Pſal. 22.29Ps 22:29that is, the rich and wealthy as well as the poore ſhall be ſervants to the Lord. Abraham was rich, and Jacob was rich, and Job was rich, and the three wiſe p. 27men that came to worſhip Chriſt in the cratch were wealthy, they opened their treaſures and preſented unto Chriſt gifts; gold, Mat. 2.11Matt 2:11frankincenſe and myrrhe: All theſe and many moe were by God made fat upon the earth, and they did eate and did truely worſhip the Lord in all ſinceritie.

**Note.Others againe by his divine diſpenſation, he will appoint in a poore eſtate to wander about in ſheepeskins, and goatskins, Heb. 11.37Heb 11:37being like Joſhuah clothed with filthy garments, Zech. 3.3.Zech 3:3or like Gibionites going with old and clouted ſhooes.Ioſh. 9.5Josh 9:5

Others hee will put to a ſtrict forme of life, in a ſober diet, Ier. 35.9.Jer 35:9like the Rechabites, who had no houſes to dwell in, and did drink only water: others as here he will ſuffer to be put to death; of all theſe I will ſay, this is the generation of them that ſeeke him.Pſal. 24.6Ps 24:6

The uſe. **The uſe. Note.If the Lord permit p. 28our lot to be ſo, that we like thoſe of my text be put to death, let us count it an honour; to die for Chriſt, is truely to die in the bed of honour. How many Souldiours for a triffle by day will goe boldly, and adventure their life upon the mouth of a Canon, upon a breach, or in the open field? But, O, for a kingdome, and for a kingdome in Heaven, what ſhould a man refuſe either to do or ſuffer?

III. PART. Hatred for his Names ſake.

WE have heard how the Lord hath given his diſciples warning of three particulars evils that were to come upon them, the firſt was a betraying of them by their parents, brethren kinſmen and friends, the ſecond was, a cauſing of ſome of them to be put to death, of thoſe we have ſpoken: Now the third followeth, which is an univerſall p. 29hatred for Chriſts Names ſake, Ye, ſaid he, ſhall be hated of all men for my Names ſake.

In theſe words I ſhall conſider theſe three things; firſt there is a hatred againſt Gods ſervants foretold, Yee ſhall be hated, ſaid Chriſt; ſecondly, hee declareth that this hatred ſhall be very great, even univerſall, Yee ſhall bee hated of all men; thirdly, he ſheweth for what cauſe, For my Names ſake.

1. Hatred againſt Gods Servants.

FIrſt the Lord warneth his diſciples heere of a great evill; Yee ſaid he, ſhall be hated.

Hatred is the very dregges of wrath, Ira odium generat.for great wrath at laſt turneth into hatred. He ſaith not unto his Diſciples, Men ſhall bee angrie at you, but he ſaith, Yee ſhall be hated: this is an effect of hatred, theſe that hate any, deſire neither to heare, nor to ſee them; Ammon p. 30after hee beganne to hate Tamar could not ſuffer her to tary any longer in his ſight, but cauſed thruſt her out at doores: 2 Sam. 13.17 1 King. 22.82 Sam 13:171 Kgs 22:8King Ahab could not hear the preachings of Micajah, his reaſon was, I hate him.

Obſerve here that Gods ſervants have this among many other troubles, The doctrine.they are hated; this is verie grievous to Gods children; Jſaack compleined that Abimelechs ſervants had hated him, and ſent him away; Gē. 26.27from this puddle of hatred iſſue out the ſtreames of brawlings and debates. Pro. 10.12Prov 10:12Hatred, ſaith Salomon, ſtirreth up strifes: **Note.The wicked can not ſuffer Gods children to live in peace, becauſe they hate them, and they can not but hate them, becauſe light and darkneſſe can have no communion, 2 Cor. 6.14, 15.2 Cor 6:142 Cor 6:15Chriſt can not have concord with Belial.

The uſe, **The uſe. Note.Let Gods children heere learn what they have to look p. 31for in this world, let them live like Angels, they ſhall not faile to bee hated, this muſt not ſeeme ſtrange unto us, when wee are abhorred by the men of the world: Gods deareſt ones have beene this dealt with, Jacob was hated of Eſau, Gen. 27.41Gen 27:41and Ahab hated good Micajah; yea, 1 Kin. 22.81 Kgs 22:8and the world hated Chriſt himſelfe: If, ſaith Chriſt, the world hate you, Ioh. 15.18John 15:18yee know that it hated me before it hated you; wee muſt looke for no better, and therefore reſting upon the love of God, we muſt contemne the hatred of the world. **Note.It is but a little matter to bee ſo hated of the world, that a man bee called after the name of Iſaacks ſecond Well, ſitnah, that is hatred, Gen. 26.21Gen 26:21if ſo be that with Solomon he be Gods jedidiah, beloved of the Lord.2 Sam. 12.252 Sam 12:25

2. The univerſalitie of the hatred.

YEE have heard how Chriſt hath ſaid to his ſervants, Yee ſhall be p. 32hated: Secondly, it followeth that wee conſider the Univerſalitie of this hatred, Yee, ſaid he, ſhall bee hated of all men.

Heere it may be objected, how could that be? If they were to be hated of all men, they ſhould bee hated of the godly alſo.

**Note.To this I anſwere briefly, By all men, wee muſt underſtand all ſort of men, whether rich or poore, noble or ignoble, men of all ranks; ſuch alſo are called all men, becauſe the moſt part of men hate GOD and his ſervants; the moſt part of the world, as yee may know, walk in the broad way, Mat. 7.13Matt 7:13and all ſuch are poiſoned with hatred againſt Chriſt and his ſervants: according to this the Lord heere ſaid to his diſciples, Yee ſhall be hated of all men. In the words before Chriſt had ſpoken to his Diſciples of parents, brethren kinſmen, and friends, that would betray them, heere hee ſpeaketh of p. 33others of all rankes that would hate them.

Obſerve here, The doctrine.that the children of God have many adverſaries; they are ſo many, that in this text they are called all men, the enemies of the Saints heere below, may take unto themſelves the divels name, Legion, becauſe they are many: As they are many, Mark. 5.9.Mark 5:9ſo are they moſt deſpightfull, full of hatred, moſt ready to oppreſſe Gods children in a moſt fearfull manner, to to rob and to ſpoile them, to baniſh and burne them, to head and to hang them; yea, Heb. 11.37Heb 11:37and to ſow them aſunder; yea, and to ſell them like beaſts, as did theſe enemies of Gods people in Joels dayes, Joel 3.3Joel 3:3who gave a boy for a harlot, and ſold a girle for wine, that they might drink & waſh their ſteps with butter

The uſe, Job 29.6 The uſe.Job 29:6Let us not wonder to ſee many hornes in the ſides of theſe that ſerve God; if the like befall p. 32to our ſelves, let us not fret; ſhall not Chriſts words be true all men?

Againe, The doctrine.obſerve heere particularly what is the condition of Gods ſervants heere below, they are the object of hatred to the moſt part of the world. **Note.If a child of God through infirmitie, fall into any ſin, the diſcourſe thereof ſhall empty many bowles of wine, and many who are more modeſt, have their ſecret joy for the fall of the Man, which plainly declare hatred to be in the heart; what words can better expreſſe the matter, than the words of Chriſt in this text, Yee ſhall be hated of all men.

The uſe, The uſe.When we finde it ſo towards our ſelves, let it not ſeeme ſtrange; Chriſts words muſt bee true: **Note.It ſhould be our comfort thus to be hated, for by ſuch means we may know whoſe we are. Joh. 15.19John 15:19If, ſaid Chriſt, yee were of the world, the world would love his owne; But p. 33yee are not of the world, but I have choſen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you: **Note.Seeing it is ſo, let us not care for the friendſhip of wicked men; away with their love, praiſe, and commendation: Woe unto you, Luke 6.26Luke 6:26ſaid Chriſt, when all men ſhall ſpeake well of you, for ſo did their fathers unto the falſe prophets.

Againe, The doctrine.whereas the Lord here ſaith to his ſervants, that they ſhall be hated of all men, I obſerve, that great is the folly, yea the furie, and madneſſe of the wicked; they hate the very men for whoſe ſake their life is ſpared: If the godly were all out of the world, the world ſhould go to an end; if theſe pillars were away, the very Heavens ſhould paſſe away with a noiſe.

**2 Pet. 3.102 Pet 3:10As the wicked are fools, ſo are they unthankfull, for they hate the men whoſe cloathes they put on, and whoſe meat they dayly p. 36eat: for all the meat and cloaths in this world, by right, belong only to theſe that are godly, to whom Gods word hath ſaid, 1 Cor. 3.211 Cor 3:21all things are yours: if all things be theirs, the wicked have nothing but by uſurpation. Againe, they are both fooles and unthankfull, in that they hate the godly, who hold Gods judgements off them, Eze. 22.30Ezek 22:30for only they make up the hedge, and ſtand in the gap before God for the land, Zeph. 3.3Zeph 3:3that hee ſhould not deſtroy it; notwithſtanding of all theſe benefites, theſe evening wolves both hate and abhor them.

The uſe, **The uſe. Note.Wonder not that wicked men goe to hell, for they are all fooles, they are like mad men, who cutting the pillars of the houſe, ſhould cauſe the houſe fall down above their heads; the godly are the pillars of the world: As for us, let us love all theſe that love God, let them bee to us as all the p. 37godly are to Chriſt Our mother, Luk. 8.21Luke 8:21our brother, and our ſiſter.

Again, The doctrine.whereas Chriſt here by way of propheſie fortelleth what hatred ſhall be in the hearts of wicked men againſt his ſervants, I obſerve Chriſts knowledge and wiſdome to be great; Note.we may with good reaſon ſay that he is wiſer then Daniel, Eze. 28.3Ezek 28:3yea wiſer then Solomon, who was wiſer then all men: 1 King 4.311 Kgs 4:31then Ethan the Ezrahite and Heman and Chalcol and Darda the ſons of Mahol; all theſe, by all their great wiſedome, could ſee no thing of all that is incloſed within the hearts of men: mens hearts have no windowes for eyes of fleſh, but all is open to Gods eyes of fire; **Revel. 1.14Rev 1:14God in Ezekiel ſaid to his people, Ezek. 11.5Ezek 11:5I know all the things that came into your minde, yea every one of them: The Lord heere ſaw a far off that great hatred that was to be in the hearts of all men againſt his p. 36dear ſervants; **Note.He ſaid not unto them in this text, that all men ſhall ſtrike you with their hands, or raile upon you with their tongues, but he forwarneth them of a perſecution, incloſed in the hearts of the moſt part, even the hatred of the heart; Yee, ſaid he, ſhall be hated of all men for my names ſake.

The uſe, **The uſe. Note.Yee who have the name of Chriſtians, learn heer not to think it enough, if with your tongues yee raile not upon Gods ſervants, or if yee ſtrike them not: Behold heere in Chriſts account it is a perſecution, if yee hate them in your heart: See therefore yee take heed to your hearts, and that yee love theſe whom God loveth: As for your hatred, ſpend it upon your ſins, raile on them with your tongues, Luk. 18.13Luke 18:13ſtrike upon your Breast with the Publicane, and upon your thigh with Ephraim, Jer. 31.19Jer 31:19and never take reſt, untill yee get that holy revenge, p. 37which is required to bee in that godly ſorrow, 2 Cor. 7.11 10.2 Cor 7:11that worketh repentance never to be repented of.

3. For what cauſe the godly are hated of the wicked.

WE have heard how Chriſt did foretell to his ſervants, that they ſhould be hated: I alſo declarunto you the univerſalitie of the hatred, Yee ſhall be hated of all men; Now thirdly it followeth that we conſider the ground and cauſe of all this hatred, it is contained in theſe words, For my names ſake; that is as much as if Chriſt had ſaid to his ſervants, yee ſhall be hated for my cauſe, for the profeſſion, for the Goſpel, the doctrine of my name, or becauſe ye belong unto me, and becauſe your heart is ſound in my ſtatuts.Pſal. 119.80Ps 119:80

**The doctrine. Note.Obſerve heere for what cauſe chiefly the wicked perſecute Gods ſervants; it is not for their faults, p. 40becauſe they are lyers, and ſwearers, and ſwagerers, and drunkards, and harlots, or becauſe, as God upbraided his people, Eze. 39.27Ezek 39:27their way is before God as the uncleanneſſe of a rem ved Woman no not, but for my names ſake, ſaith the Lord: where wee may learne, that the Goſpel, the doctrine of Chriſts name hath many enemies. **Note.Thieves and harlots hate the light of the Sunne, yea they abhor the leaſt glaunce of a candle; the doctrine of Chriſts name is a ſhining ſermon, Hoſ. 6.5.Hos 6:5it ſets ſin before the ſinners eyes; it checks and heweth them for it; They hateing to be reformed, hate alſo to bee reproved: 1 King 22.81 Kgs 22:8Ahab hated Micajah for no other reaſon, but becauſe he preached Trueth, and would not flatter him in his ſins, as the other falſe prophets had done, Yee, ſaid Chriſt heere to his faithfull ſervants. ſhall be hated of all men for my Names ſake.

p. 41The 1. uſe, The 1. uſe.Let all Gods ſervants heere learne, whatto looke for from the moſt part of men, even hatred for Chriſts name: When ſuch things come to paſſe that many for the ſame cauſe hateus, let us not wonder: **Note.The wicked that do ſuch things are ſo many, that in my text they are called all men: yee, ſaid Chriſt, ſhall be hated of all men for my names ſake: **Note.Let the love of one man Chriſt, bee a recompence againſt the hatred of all men; let heaven granted unto us for his names ſake, encourage us to beare patientlie the hatred of all men for his names ſake; yea, when wee ſo ſuffer, let us rejoice that we are accounted worthy, to ſuffer reproach or ſhame for the ſake of his ſacred name: Let this be our joy, we have the deareſt of Gods children with us in the ſame caſe, king David ſaid, Pſal. 119.63Ps 119:63I am a companion of all them that feare thee.

p. 40The 2. The 2. uſe.uſe: Seeing the godly ſuffer ſo willingly much hatred for Chriſts names ſake, and ſeeing only for his names ſake we receive all our comfort, Iohn 14.13John 14:13Whatſoever yee ſhall aske in my name that will I doe, and ſeeing his name is ſo honourable that at his name every knee muſt bow: Philip. 2.10Phil 2:10Let us love the name of Ieſus that plant of renowne; Eze. 34.29Ezek 34:29let us reſpect it & honour it, that we weary not in any troubles we ſuffer for it: **Note.If ſeven yeeres of that moſt painefull ſervice for Rachel ſeemed to Jacob but ſhort, Gen. 29.20 2 Cor. 5.14Gen 29:202 Cor 5:14becauſe he loved her, let the constraining love of Chriſt ſo ſweaten all our ſorrowes, that they may ſeeme eaſie unto us; yea, matter of great joy as the Apoſtles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to ſuffer ſhame for his Name: Acts 5.41Acts 5:41**Note.If for Chriſts name ſake our adverſary ſhould write a book againſt us; Job. 31.36Job 31:36let us bee content with Job, to take it upon our ſhoulder, and bind it p. 41as a crowne to us: yea, if for his names ſake we were bound with a chaine of yron, let that yron chain be more precious in our eyes, Gen. 41.42Gen 41:42then that chaine of gold that Pharao put about Joſephs neck; let us in a holy bragge in ſuch a caſe ſay with S. Paul bound in yron, It is for the hope of Jſrael that I am bound with this chaine; Act. 28.20Acts 28:20that chaine was to him as a moſt rare and precious jewel.

The 3. uſe: **The 3. uſe. Note.Let this ſerve for reproofe to all theſe, who in ſteed of ſuffering for the ſacred name of Chriſt, moſt vilely abuſe this name above their cups, or vilipend it in the ſtreets, or with profaine merchands have it in their ſhops, to cover their lies for to deceive the buyers in ſelling their wares; All ſuch men will never ſuffer hatred for the name of Ieſus.The 4. uſe.

The 4. uſe: Let this alſo ſerve for reproofe to many, who are not moved for the abuſe of this glorious p. 44name of Chriſt, for whoſe ſake they ſhould be ready to ſuffer the hatred of the moſt part: Note.If any ſpeake a word of reproach againſt their name, they anone from wordes will goe to ſwordes; yea, fight in blood to the knees, but the name of Jeſus hath few friends; If ſo it be that ſome ſpeake words of reproofe, they for the moſt part are like the ſoft reproofes of Eli, whoſe wordes to his ſonnes were without life, blunt without anedge why doe yee ſuch things? 1 Sam. 2.231 Sam 2:23for I heare of your evill doings by all this people; Nay my ſonnes, for it is no good report that I heare; 25.If one man ſin against another, the judge will judge him, but if a man ſin againſt the LORD, who ſhall intreat for him? How few are theſe among us, that will this day ſpeake ſo much for God? and yet Gods judgements were ſuch againſt Eli and his houſe for his ſoftneſſe in Gods quarrell, p. 45that the eares of every one of them that heard of them were made to tingle: 1 Sam. 3.111 Sam 3:11Such alſo are not ready to ſuffer hatred for the ſake of this name.

The 5. uſe: **The 5. uſe. Note.Laſt of all, ſeeing wicked men hate the godly for Chriſts name ſake, let us take good heede that when wicked men hate us or perſecute us, it be not for our owne ſake, for any evill in us, yea that it be not as it is often ſaid in Amos, Amos 1.3 &c. 1 Pet. 2.20Amos 1:31 Pet 2:20For three tranſgreſſions and for foure. Peter ſaith, What glory is it, if when yee be buffited for your fault, yee ſhall take it patiently, Let no man ſuffer as a malefactour, that is not thank worthy; Let us all therefore take good heed that our afflictions be not for our deſervings, like the thiefe on the croſſe, who ſaid to his fellow, we are here juſtly, Luk. 23.41Luke 23:41for we receive the due reward of our deeds; Hoſ. 8.3Hos 8:3So the Prophet Hoſea ſpeaking of Iſrael ſaid, Iſrael hath caſt off the p. 44thing that is good; the enemie ſhall purſue him.

Let us all therefore with all diligence give good heede that we be not purſued, afflicted, or hated, for caſting off the thing that is good, but that our ſufferings be for Chriſts names ſake who for our ſake pleaſed not himſelfe, Rom. 15.3Rom 15:3but willingly expoſed himſelf to all ſorts of reproaches and contumelies, yea and that to the ſhamefull death of the croſſe: To him be glory for ever: AMEN.