The second example of a murdering thought, is concerning Gods Church, and it is this. I will do some spite or hurt to them that worship God. For proof hereof, read Psal. ⟨p. 106⟩74. 8. David bringeth in the Babylonians, Edomites, &c. saying thus one to another against gods people the Jews: Let us destroy them all together; & Psal. 83. 4, Let us cut them off from being a people. And let the name of Israel be no more in remembrance. Now as this was their thought, so is it the thought of all men naturally: for that which was the disposition of Babel, Edom, Moab, and Amnon against Gods Church, is the disposition of all men naturally; for look how general the hatred of man is, so general is the purpose of mischief against those that profess religion: for all men by nature are haters of Gods Church, & people; so Christ saith to his disciples, fye shall be be hated of all ⟨p. 107⟩nations for my names sake; 2Yea, whosoever killeth you shall think that he doth God good service, and therefore this thought of doing mischief is as general, even in the mind of every man by nature. This further appeareth by the continual persecution, that hath ever been raised against Gods poor Church, since the beginning of the world: It began at Abel, soon after the giving of the covenant of grace to our first parents, and hath continued to this day, & shall abide unto the end: so that if carnal men could look into their own hearts, they should there behold this murdering thought against Gods people. This murdering thought cometh from another wicked imagination, set ⟨p. 108⟩down by S. Peter: who bringeth in the wicked of this world,h thinking it a strange thing, that Gods children do not, as they do, and run not with them unto all excess of riot: living in drunkenness, fornication, and such other abominations; for this cause do they conceive hatred, and purpose mischief against Gods people, and so will continue, till God give them grace to repent. If any shall say this thought is not general, for Nabuched-nezer ian heathen man showed favour to Daniel, and highly advanced him. I answer, it is true he did so; but that was a work of Gods special providence who procured him favour, and disposed the kings heart to affect him, as he did also the heart of the ⟨p. 109⟩chiefk Eunuch;
The second example of a murthering thought, is cō cerning Gods Church, and it is this. I will doe some spite or hurt to them that worship God. For proofe hereof, read Psal. ⟨p. 106⟩74. 8. Dauid bringeth in the Babilonians, Edomites, &c. saying thus one to another against gods people the Iewes: Let vs destroy them all together; & Psal. 83. 4, Let vs cut them off from beeing a people. And let the name of Israell be no more in remembrance. Now as this was their thought, so is it the thought of all men naturally: for that which was the disposition of Babel, Edom, Moab, and Amnon against Gods Church, is the disposition of all men naturally; for looke how generall the hatred of man is, so generall is the purpose of mischiefe against those that professe religion: for all men by nature are haters of Gods Church, & people; so Christ saith to his disciples, fyee shall be be hated of all ⟨p. 107⟩nations for my names sake; 2Yea, whosoeuer killeth you shall thinke that he doth God good seruice, and therefore this thought of doing mischiefe is as general, euen in the minde of euery man by nature. This further appeareth by the continuall persecution, that hath euer beene raised agaiust Gods poore Church, since the beginning of the world: It began at Abell, soone after the giuing of the couenant of grace to our first parents, and hath continued to this day, & shall abide vnto the end: so that if carnall men could look into their owne hearts, they should there behold this murdering thought against Gods people. This murdering thought commeth from another wicked imagination, set ⟨p. 108⟩downe by S. Peter: who bringeth in the wicked of this world,h thinking it a strange thing, that Gods children doe not, as they doe, and runne not with them vnto all excesse of riot: liuing in drunkennes, fornication, and such other abhominations; for this cause doe they cōceiue hatred, and purpose mischeife against Gods people, and so will continue, till God giue them grace to repent. If any shall say this thought is not generall, for Nabuched-nezer
- fMatth. 24. 9.
- 2Joh. 16. 2.Ioh. 16. 2.
- h1. Pet. 4. 3. 4.
- iDanie. 2. 48.
- kDaniel. 1. 9.
