CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

4. The Godly mans trouble in this world ariseth not only from professed wicked men and open enemies, ¹but many times even from those who really or apparently look towards the same Heaven with them: And this is the worst trouble that can come from men, Some are only Friends in show, and it's no wonder if they at last appear without their visor; David makes sad complaint of his familiar friend, with whom he took sweet counsel, that this man should rise against him, Psa. 41.9. and Paul also complaineth of the peril he was in by false Brethren, 1 Cor. 11.26. So that this is no new thing even for those who profess the same Christian way, and that in a most intimate manner, yet to become Enemies and Adversaries to those that truly fear God, was not Christ betrayed by Judas one of his own Company, that had left all, to become his Disciple, yea, not only from apparent and seeming Friends, but even from those who do truly look towards Heaven, yet there is many times great trouble created by them: Was there not a Paroxysm between Paul and Barnabas? Did not the Corinthians go to Law and wrong one another? Doth not the Apostle James tell them of their envyings and their devourings of one another, Jam. 13.16. Why doth our Saviour above all things pray in this Chapter for the Disciples Unity, That they might be one, but because of the proneness that is even in Gods Children, to fall out with one another, as Jacobs Children did; Hence we see Believer against Believer, Christian against Christian, pursuing one another even to death; It was Cyprian's Complaint of old, Madet orbis Christianus mutuo sanguine, & quod cum privati fecerint homicidium dicitur, eum publice geritur virtus vocatur: Oh what a sad thing is it not to see Sheep and ⟨p. 286⟩Wolf, but Sheep and Sheep devouring one another; Doth not experience convince of this? Are not many godly mens Enemies of the same house, of the same Religion, of the same Christian Faith with him? Oh this is hard to bear, if it were a profane and wicked Instrument of the devil, I could bear it, but it is such an one with whom I have prayed often, humbled my self often; They acknowledge the same principles of godliness, the same experiences upon their souls, yet are like Lyons.