An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Fourthly, We may admire the wisdom, power and goodness of God, that wherein the enemies of Gods Church deal craftily and cruelly, in that very thing he is above them, working the contrary to that which they are intending. For how many persecutors hath the Church had, who like Haman resolved to root out the very name of Christianity, and their persecutions have increased the number of Christians? Thus it must needs be madness and torment to the Churches enemies ⟨p. 222⟩to see that the ways they take to demolish, is indeed to build up the Church of God. Even as it was with Pharaoh, when he called a counsel to deal craftily with the Israelites, to oppress and diminish them, then they were the more multiplied. Thus Act. 12. 24. when Herod set himself to kill the eminent servants of the Lord, and thereby weaken the Church of God: for when the shepherds were dissipated, what would become of the flock? it is said, But the word of God grew and multiplied. See how the contrary fell out to Herod's design.

Fourthly, We may admire the wisdome, power and goodnesse of God, that wherein the enemies of Gods Church deal craftily and cruelly, in that very thing he is above them, working the contrary to that which they are intending. For how many persecutors hath the Church had, who like Haman resolved to root out the very name of Christianity, and their persecutions have increased the number of Christians? Thus it must needs be madness and torment to the Churches enemies ⟨p. 222⟩to see that the wayes they take to demolish, is indeed to build up the Church of God. Even as it was with Pharaoh, when he called a counsel to deal craftily with the Israelites, to oppress and diminish them, then they were the more multiplied. Thus Act. 12. 24. when Herod set himself to kill the eminent servants of the Lord, and thereby weaken the Church of God: for when the shepherds were dissipated, what would become of the flock? it is said, But the word of God grew and multiplied. See how the contrary fell out to Herods design.