Use. Instruction to move us to be frequent and diligent in so good a service, whereof there is so much need, and opportunity of employment (for work may be had every where) and so good a recompense for our travel, as joy is, and therefore Gods favour, and therefore Gods blessing with eternal glory. And what ⟨p. 171⟩though there be oppositions against us, as all faithful peacemakers shall meet froward persons that will be unpeaceable, yet if the God of peace be at peace with us, and protector of us, what cause have we to stand in any fear? he would not promise us joy, unless he were resolved to perform it: and he would not encourage us to be joyful, unless our state were safe and happy. And why then are we so timorous to speak when we see dissension among equals, contempt of superiors, oppression of inferiors, sinning against mens own souls, and war against the Lord himself? Is it because we would not give offence? It is an offence to be silent at the offences committed against God, and the hurt that men do to themselves and their neighbours. Is it because we would avoid trouble and displeasure, and keep our selves from grief and sorrow? The way to do that is to please God, who can make them whose anger we fear, to favour us, and be means of our peace and consolation. But in counselling of peace we must look to these things, first, that we be justly called to deal in that particular case, lest meddling with the strife that 1belongeth not unto us, we be as one that taketh a dog by the ears. Secondly, that we make no atonement between wicked men in their wickedness, as Esther would not make Haman and Ahasuerus friends when they were fallen out: for how much concord had been between Haman and the King, so much discord would have bin between the King and the Church. So that in setting agreement between man and man, it is good to set variance between a man and his sin, and to leave sinful men at variance, whose reconciliation doth tend to the dishonour of God, and the hurt of his people.
Vse. Instruction to moue vs to be frequent and diligent in so good a seruice, whereof there is so much neede, and opportunitie of imployment (for worke may be had euery where) and so good a recompence for our trauell, as ioy is, and therefore Gods fauour, and therefore Gods blessing with eternall glorie. And what ⟨p. 171⟩though there be oppositions against vs, as all faithfull peacemakers shall meete froward persons that will bee vnpeaceable, yet if the God of peace be at peace with vs, and protector of vs, what cause haue we to stand in any feare? he would not promise vs ioy, vnlesse he were resolued to performe it: and he would not incourage vs to be ioyfull, vnlesse our state were safe and happie. And why then are we so timerous to speake when wee see dissension among equals, contempt of superiours, oppression of inferiours, sinning against mens owne soules, and warre against the Lord himselfe? Is it because we would not giue offence? It is an offence to be silent at the offences committed against God, and the hurt that men doe to themselues and their neighbours. Is it because we would auoide trouble and displeasure, and keepe our selues from griefe and sorrow? The way to doe that is to please God, who can make them whose anger wee feare, to fauour vs, and be meanes of our peace and consolation. But in counselling of peace we must looke to these things, first, that we be iustly called to deale in that particular case, lest medling with the strife that 1belongeth not vnto vs, we be as one that taketh a dog by the eares. Secondly, that we make no attonement betweene wicked men in their wickednesse, as Hester would not make Haman and Ashuerus friends when they were fallen out: for how much concord had beene betweene Haman and the King, so much discord would haue bin betweene the King and the Church. So that in setting agreement betweene man and man, it is good to set variance betweene a man and his sinne, and to leaue sinfull men at variance, whose reconciliation doth tend to the dishonour of God, and the hurt of his people.
- 1Preu. 26. 17.
