Thirdly, Do wicked men hate thee? Take our Saviours rule, so contrary to flesh and blood, Mat. 5.44. Love them that hate you, pray for them that persecute you; and in other places, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good, Rom. 12.21. This is that peculiar lesson, which the Christian Religion only teacheth. Neither Aristotle or Tully thought it a duty, but rather a simplicity not to be avenged upon enemies. But the Scripture is much in pressing this duty, and that as a special sign of grace, wherein we shall as children of God represent our heavenly Father, who makes the Sun to shine upon the ungodly as well as the godly. All the wicked men of the world, they hate God as well as thee; and it's in his power to destroy them all, immediately in a moment to send them to hell; yet with what patience and loving kindness doth he bear such adversaries, he gives them food, raiment, and manifold preservations; so Christ even when we were enemies died for us, which the Scripture makes a forcible argument for us to forgive others, This is a kind of perfection to do so, Mat. 5. ult. Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect; He calls this patience and forgiving disposition a perfection; If then they rail, do thou bless; if they curse, do thou pray, this is to pour living coals upon their head, as Rom. 12.10. which some understand in a good sense, it will melt the man, as Saul was under Davids kindness, and as you see fire will at last melt iron, though never so tough; or others in an ill sense, as if when thou hast done thy duty, God will severely punish them; This is the way to bring fire about their ears. Take heed therefore of private revengeful thoughts, these are unbeseeming a Christian, God makes this his Property, Vengeance is mine, Deut. 32.2. Although the Heathen could say, Revenge was sweeter then honey; and so it is to a natural man, but it's far sweeter then honey to a gracious heart to be able to conquer his revengeful disposition; private revenge is unlawful, yet a seeking to the Magistrate for to punish offenders, or to obtain right, is a duty, only take heed of revengeful thoughts in the pursuing of it.
Thirdly, Do wicked men hate thee? Take our Saviours rule, so contrary to flesh and blood, Mat. 5.44. Love them that hate you, pray for them that persecute you; and in other places, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good, Rom. 12.21. This is that peculiar lesson, which the Christian Religion only teacheth. Neither Aristotle or Tully thought it a duty, but rather a simplicity not to be avenged upon enemies. But the Scripture is much in pressing this duty, and that as a special sign of grace, wherein we shall as children of God represent our heavenly Father, who makes the Sunne to shine upon the ungodly as well as the godly. All the wicked men of the world, they hate God as well as thee; and it's in his power to destroy them all, immediately in a moment to send them to hell; yet with what patience and loving kindness doth he bear such adversaries, he gives them food, raiment, and manifold preservations; so Christ even when we were enemies died for us, which the Scripture makes a forcible argument for us to forgive others, This is a kinde of perfection to do so, Mat. 5. ult. Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect; He cals this patience and forgiving disposition a perfection; If then they rail, do thou bless; if they curse, do thou pray, this is to pour living coals upon their head, as Rom. 12.10. which some understand in a good sense, it will melt the man, as Saul was under Davids kindness, and as you see fire will at last melt iron, though never so tough; or others in an ill sense, as if when thou hast done thy duty, God will severely punish them; This is the way to bring fire about their ears. Take heed therefore of private revengefull thoughts, these are unbeseeming a Christian, God makes this his Property, Vengeance is mine, Deut. 32.2. Although the Heathen could say, Revenge was sweeter then honey; and so it is to a natural man, but it's farre sweeter then honey to a gracious heart to be able to conquer his revengefull disposition; private revenge is unlawfull, yet a seeking to the Magistrate for to punish offenders, or to obtain right, is a duty, onely take heed of revengefull thoughts in the pursuing of it.
