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

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, Prov. 16.7. What a strange thing was that, that when the Israelite was so transcendently hated by the Egyptian, yet God should give them such favour that the Egyptians should lend them their Gold and their Jewels, yea, while all that multitude went away, not so much as a dog to bark at them, so that though the ordinary Rule be for the Godly man to be hated, yet God may at some time preserve some Godly men from the strife of tongues, he can change Esau's bloody heart to melt towards Jacob, and he can command Laban to speak kindly to him, thus he promised Israel, they should find mercy in the eyes of them who led them captive.

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 Shemei 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 waies please God, even our enemies shall be friends with us,