A Christian Directory

Answ. All this did signify something if there were no God, that can easilier restrain and destroy¹ them at his pleasure, than they can destroy or injure you. But if there be a God, and all the world is in his hand, and with a word he can speak them all into dust; and if this God be engaged to protect you, and hath told you that the very hairs of your head are numbered, and more regardeth his Honour, and Gospel and Church than you do, and accounteth his servants as the apple of his eye, and hath promised to hear them and avenge them speedily, and forbid them to avenge themselves; then it is but atheistical distrust of God, to save your selves by sinful means, as if God either could not, or would not do it. Thus he that saveth his life shall lose it. Do you believe that you are in the hands of Christ, and that men cannot touch you but by his permission: and that he will turn all your sufferings to your exceeding benefit? and yet will you venture on sin and Hell to scape such sufferings from men. Wolves, and Bears, and Lyons that fight most for themselves, are hated and destroyed by all, so that there are but few of them in the Land: but though a hundred sheep will run before a little Dog, the master of them taketh care for their preservation. And little Children that cannot go out of the way from a Horse or Cart, every one is afraid of hurting. If Christians behaved themselves with that eminent Love, and Lowliness, and Meekness, and Patience, and Harmlessness as their Lord hath taught them and required, perhaps the very cruelty and malice of their enemies would abate and relent, and when a mans ways please God, he would make his enemies to be at peace with him: But if not, their fury would but hasten us to our Joy and Glory. Yet note, that I speak all this only against Rebellion, and unlawful Arms and Acts.²

Answ. All this did signifie something if there were no God, that can easilier restrain and destroy¹ them at his pleasure, than they can destroy or injure you. But if there be a God, and all the world is in his hand, and with a word he can speak them all into dust; and if this God be engaged to protect you, and hath told you that the very hairs of your head are numbered, and more regardeth his Honour, and Gospel and Church than you do, and accounteth his servants as the apple of his eye, and hath promised to hear them and avenge them speedily, and forbid them to avenge themselves; then it is but atheistical distrust of God, to save your selves by sinful means, as if God either could not, or would not do it. Thus he that saveth his life shall lose it. Do you believe that you are in the hands of Christ, and that men cannot touch you but by his permission: and that he will turn all your sufferings to your exceeding benefit? and yet will you venture on sin and Hell to scape such sufferings from men. Wolves, and Bears, and Lyons that fight most for themselves, are hated and destroyed by all, so that there are but few of them in the Land: but though a hundred sheep will run before a little Dog, the master of them taketh care for their preservation. And little Children that cannot go out of the way from a Horse or Cart, every one is afraid of hurting. If Christians behaved themselves with that eminent Love, and Lowliness, and Meekness, and Patience, and Harmlesness as their Lord hath taught them and required, perhaps the very cruelty and malice of their enemies would abate and relent, and when a mans wayes please God, he would make his enemies to be at peace with him: But if not, their fury would but hasten us to our Joy and Glory. Yet note, that I speak all this only against Rebellion, and unlawful Arms and Acts.