A Golden Chain

Question. David useth imprecations against his enemies, in which he prayeth for their utter confusion, as Psal. 59. & 109. &c. The like is done by Paul, Gal. 5.1. 2. Tim. 4.14. and Peter, Act. 8. 20. though afterwards he mitigates his execration. But how could they do it? Ans. 1. They were endued with an extraordinary measure of Gods spirit, and hereby they were enabled to discern of their enemies and certainly to judge that their wickedness and malice was incurable, and that they should never repent. And the like prayers did the Primitive church conceive against Julian the Apostate because they perceived him to be a malicious & desperate enemy. 2. Secondly, they were endued with a pure zeal, and not carried with desire of revenge against their enemies, intending nothing else but the glory of God. Now for us it is good that we should suspect our zeal, because sinister affections, as hatred, envy, emulation, desire of revenge, will easily mingle themselves therewith.

Question. Dauid vseth imprecations against his enemies, in which he prayeth for their vtter confusion, as Psal. 59. & 109. &c. The like is done by Paul, Gal. 5.1. 2. Tim. 4.14. and Peter, Act. 8. 20. though afterwards he mitigates his execration. But how could they doe it? Ans. 1. They were indued with an extraordinarie measure of Gods spirit, and hereby they were inabled to discerne of their enemies and certainly to iudge that their wickednes and malice was incurable, and that they should neuer repent. And the like praiers did the Primitiue church cōceiue against Iulian the Apostata because they perceiued him to be a malitious & desperate enemie. 2. Secondly, they were indued with a pure zeale, and not carried with desire of reuenge against their enemies, intending nothing els but the glorie of God. Nowe for vs it is good that wee should suspect our zeale, because sinister affections, as hatred, enuie, emulation, desire of reuenge, will easily mingle themselues therewith.