A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…

Secondly, for a man that is a Magistrate or a Minister, to do his duty carefully, is the high way to undergo a burden of contempt and hatred. Insomuch as many good men are afraid to be either Magistrates or Ministers: for, first, wicked men must needs hate them, because the one is to rebuke, and the other to punish their faults. And again, even good men are too respectless of them that are in these places, & for the most part neither yield them that reverence, nor reward, that is due unto them; but often times a man for all his pains and care taken for Church or common-wealth, is recompensed with hatred, envy, grudges, evil words, and slanderous reports. In this case, the comfort is this, that though a man be in the world neither regarded, nor rewarded, as his desert is, yet the Lord seeth what he doth, and is a plentiful rewarder of all that seek & serve him: and therefore especially of them, who not only themselves serve him in his chief places of service, but also do win many other to seek and serve God.

Secondly, for a man that is a Magistrate or a Minister, to doe his duty carefully, is the high way to vndergoe a burden of contempt and hatred. Insomuch as many good men are afraid to be either Magistrates or Ministers: for, first, wicked men must needs hate them, because the one is to rebuke, and the other to punish their faults. And againe, euen good men are too respectlesse of them that are in these places, & for the most part neither yeeld them that reuerence, nor reward, that is due vnto them; but often times a man for all his paines and care taken for Church or common-wealth, is recompenced with hatred, enuie, grudges, euill words, and slanderous reportes. In this case, the comfort is this, that though a man be in the world neither regarded, nor rewarded, as his desert is, yet the Lord seeth what hee doth, and is a plentifull rewarder of all that seek & serue him: and therefore especially of them, who not onely themselues serue him in his chiefe places of seruice, but also doe winne many other to seek and serue God.

Fifthly, if God be a rewarder of them that seek him, then doubtless he is a revenger of them that hate him: for he, that can mightily reward his followers, can also mightily be revenged of his enemies. These two are the two parts of a Kings power, To be able highly to advance his friends, and mightily to punish his enemies: therefore principally this belongs to the King of Kings. This sentence therefore is a thunderbolt of a most fearful threatening against all impenitent sinners; assuring them, that if they persist to profane Gods holy name by their careless sinning against him, they shall be sure to find and feel him a powerful revenger of them that hate him. Thus he promiseth, himself, Deuter. 2.40.41.42: I lift up my hand to heaven, and I say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgement, I will execute vengeance on my enemies, and reward them that hate me. Where also note how the same phrase is used: for as here the Apostle saith, God is a rewarder of them