The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

Lastly, they must give him maintenance against the wrongs of bad men as it is noted of Aquila and Priscilla that they stood for Paul, and that was not a thing that he alone was bound to be thankful to them for, but in so doing they deserved thanks of the whole Church, which received good by his ministry. And if this duty were carefully performed, persecutors would not be so bold and audacious to molest and trouble the ministers and faithful men of God as they be. But it comes oft so to pass, that though the minister be in all things faithful to his power, and bear such a love unto his people, as that he would part with his blood to do them good; yet let but some vile person of a wicked and ungodly life, (as indeed the devil never lacks such instruments, to vex Gods ministers,) let some but base limb of the devil step forth to set him self against the minister and to persecute him, many in the congregation will be ready to join with him, and have their hand in as deep as any. But others of the better sort have no courage to stand for him, and to defend his good cause; many think they do not break the fifth commandment, and yet know that God hath said, that he that laboureth in doctrine is worthy of double honour. Yet when will they speak well of the minister, when will they open their mouth in his defence? but are ready to say it was his indiscretion, he was to hasty and unadvised, he might have kept himself quiet▪ and thus either because they be dastardly and dare not, or malicious and will not, almost none can be found, that will stand in the maintenance of their faithful minister, against the fury and malice of the Devil and his limbs wicked persecutors.

Lastly, they must giue him maintenance against the wronges of bad men as it is noted of Aquila and Priscilla that they stood for Paule, and that was not a thing that hee alone was bound to be thankefull to them for, but in so doing they deserued thankes of the whole Church, which receiued good by his ministrie. And if this dutie were carefully performed, persecuters would not be so bolde and audatious to molest and trouble the ministers and faithfull men of God as they be. But it comes oft so to passe, that though the minister be in all things faithfull to his power, and beare such a loue vnto his people, as that he would part with his bloud to doe them good; yet let but some vilde person of a wicked and vngodly life, (as indeede the diuell neuer lackes such instruments, to vexe Gods ministers,) let some but base limme of the diuell step forth to set him selfe against the minister and to persecute him, manie in the congregation will be readie to ioyne with him, and haue their hand in as deepe as any. But others of the better sort haue no courage to stand for him, and to defend his good cause; many thinke they doe not breake the fifth commandement, and yet know that God hath said, that he that laboureth in doctrine is worthy of double honour. Yet when will they speake well of the minister, when will they open their mouth in his defence? but are readie to say it was his indiscretion, hee was to hastie and vnaduised, he might haue kept himselfe quiet and thus either because they be dastardly and dare not, or malicious and will not, allmost none can be founde, that will stande in the maintenance of their faithfull minister, against the furie and malice of the Diuell and his limmes wicked persecutors.