Thirdly, our Saviour Christ here calling the wrong doer an evil 1one, giveth us to understand, that it is the property of an evil man to do wrong unto others; and this title is given to the wrong doer, to teach us, that we must suffer wrong patiently, though he be an evil man that offereth it unto us. It is the property of a good man to do good continually, but to do wrong is the mark of an evil man, who herein is like the devil: which must teach us, not to do wrong to any one, in his body; goods, or name, either by word or deed; but rather apply our selves to do all the good we can, to every one within the compass of our calling. Hereby we shall see what our estate is, for if in our callings we set our selves to hurt others, either by word or deed, we are in the sight of God evil men: such are our usurers, and extortioners, and all those that use fraud and deceit in their callings. But if we would show our selves to be ⟨p. 179⟩good men, approved of God in Christ, then we must refer our bodies and souls, and all that we have, to the good of others. Although men by nature be like to psavage beasts, as Lyons, Wolves, Cock •trices, &c. whose property is, to devour and hurt other creatures; yet when it pleaseth God to receive them to mercy, and to place them in his kingdom, then they lay aside their cruel nature, and live peaceably one with another; for in all the Mountain of Gods holiness, none shall hurt or destroy, verse 9. It is a prophecy of Christs kingdom, that therein the sword and spear, which are weapons of war, shall be turned into scythes and mattocks, which are instruments of common good in time of peace; whereby was signified, that when men are converted, and become true children unto God, they lay aside all malice, and give themselves to do good, and become serviceable unto all for the good of all. This was notably verified in Paul, who of a qpersecutor became a preacher: yea, rhe became all things to all men, that by all means he might win some. And thus doing, we are like to our heavenly father, who doth good to all; but if we give our selves to wrong doing, we are evil ones, and herein like to the devil himself.
Thirdly, our Sauiour Christ here calling the wrong doer an euill 1one, giueth vs to vnderstand, that it is the propertie of an euill man to doe wrong vnto others; and this title is giuen to the wrong doer, to teach vs, that wee must suffer wrong patiently, though hee bee an euill man that offereth it vnto vs. It is the propertie of a good man to doe good continually, but to doe wrong is the marke of an euill man, who herein is like the deuill: which must teach vs, not to doe wrong to any one, in his bodie; goods, or name, either by word or deede; but rather applie our selues to doe all the good we can, to euery one within the compasse of our calling. Hereby wee shall see what our estate is, for if in our callings wee set our selues to hurt others, either by word or deede, wee are in the sight of God euil men: such are our vsurers, and extortioners, and all those that vse fraud and deceite in their callings. But if wee would shewe our selues to be ⟨p. 179⟩good men, approoued of God in Christ, then wee must referre our bodies and soules, and all that wee haue, to the good of others. Although men by nature be like to psauage beasts, as Lyons, Woolues, Cock •trices, &c. whose propertie is, to deuoure and hurt other creatures; yet when it pleaseth God to receiue them to mercie, and to place them in his kingdome, then they laie aside their cruell nature, and liue peaceably one with another; for in all the Mountaine of Gods holinesse, none shall hurt or destroie, verse 9. It is a prophecie of Christs kingdome, that therein the sword and speare, which are weapons of warre, shall bee turned into scythes and mattocks, which are instruments of common good in time of peace; whereby was signified, that when men are conuerted, and become true children vnto God, they laie aside all malice, and giue themselues to doe good, and become seruiceable vnto all for the good of all. This was notably verefied in Paul, who of a qpersecuter became a preacher: yea, rhe became all things to all men, that by all meanes hee might win some. And thus doing, we are like to our heauēly father, who doth good to all; but if we giue our selues to wrong doing, we are euill ones, and herein like to the deuill himselfe.
- 1Wrong doing the property of an evil man.Wrong doing the propertie of an euil man.
- pIsay 11 6. •
- qAct. • 21.
- r1. Cor. 9. 22
