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

4. It's a cruel hatred, who is able to reckon up the several kinds of torments that wicked men have invented to excruciate the godly with; No death for Christ would satisfy the Jews but what was most ignominious and painful; Heb. 11. Some were sawn asunder, This was like that Command of Nero, Ita feri, ut se mori sentiat; It's known to all that read Ecclesiastical History what exquisite torments have been invented, that the Martyrs might not simply die, but die as many Deaths as they have parts of body.

4. It's a cruell hatred, who is able to reckon up the several kindes of torments that wicked men have invented to excruciate the godly with; No death for Christ would satisfie the Jews but what was most ignominious and painful; Heb. 11. Some were sawn asunder, This was like that Command of Nero, Ita feri, ut se mori sentiat; It's known to all that reade Ecclesiasticall History what exquisite torments have been invented, that the Martyrs might not simply die, but die as many Deaths as they have parts of body.

Obj. But you will ask, Whether every godly man is thus hated, Though some may be, yet are all?

Ans. It's the inward disposition of all wicked men to hate those that are godly, but then the effects of it may be restrained, sometimes for fear, because those that are godly may be advanced to places of honour and power; Though even then all wicked men have not been able to refrain; David complaineth that Drunkards made Songs of him, and when he was in his afflicted condition, with what scorn and contempt did Shimei revile him? So that if we respect the habitual inclination of the heart, no godly man can be loved by a wicked man; though there may be an outward restraint; Again, sometimes God may so work the hearts of wicked men, that for some time and in some exigences they may love the godly, and refresh them; It's Gods promise that when our ways please God, even our enemies shall be friends with us,