IF you look all at the evil in any man, and overlook the good, you cannot choose but hate h•m: And if you think only of what you suffer by Magistrates, you may easily know what the effect must be. And the sin is so great, that it should not be made light of, by a tender conscience. The good of the Office and of the person is of God; and the evil is of Satan: And should you so look at Satan's part, as to pass by all Gods part? What ingratitude is it, to take notice so deeply of your suffering, and to take no notice of your mercies. There are few Heathen Magistrates, from whom those Christians who live under them, receive not much more good than hurt. Much more Christian Magistrates are a blessing to believers. For if they persecute some, yet they usually protect more, from the fury of the ⟨p. 245⟩vulgar rabble, who would quickly devour them, if Rulers did not restrain them. And the countenancing of the Christian Religion in the essentials, and defending Christian assemblies for Gods worship is an unvaluable mercy. If Paul said to the Romans [Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil—Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the Minister of God to thee for good] Rom. 13. 3, 4. How much more may those say so who have Christian Magistrates! Or if some particular persons do suffer more under some such, than Paul or the Christians did under Heathens (Acts 28. last) yet every true Christian, must more regard the public interest than his own: and must rejoice that the Gospel hath any protection and furtherance, and the souls of the people any benefit, whatever his personal suffering be. Read Phil. 1. 12, to the 20.
IF you look all at the evil in any man, and overlook the good, you cannot choose but hate h•m: And if you think only of what you suffer by Magistrates, you may easily know what the effect must be. And the sin is so great, that it should not be made light of, by a tender conscience. The good of the Office and of the person is of God; and the evil is of Satan: And should you so look at Satans part, as to pass by all Gods part? What ingratitude is it, to take notice so deeply of your suffering, and to take no notice of your mercies. There are few Heathen Magistrates, from whom those Christians who live under them, receive not much more good than hurt. Much more Christian Magistrates are a blessing to believers. For if they persecute some, yet they usually protect more, from the fury of the ⟨p. 245⟩vulgar rabble, who would quickly devour them, if Rulers did not restrain them. And the countenancing of the Christian Religion in the essentials, and defending Christian assemblies for Gods worship is an unvaluable mercy. If Paul said to the Romans [Rulers are not a terrour to good works, but to evil—Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the Minister of God to thee for good] Rom. 13. 3, 4. How much more may those say so who have Christian Magistrates! Or if some particular persons do suffer more under some such, than Paul or the Christians did under Heathens (Acts 28. last) yet every true Christian, must more regard the publick interest than his own: and must rejoyce that the Gospel hath any protection and furtherance, and the souls of the people any benefit, whatever his personal suffering be. Read Phil. 1. 12, to the 20.
