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

Secondly, Consider that thou dost not hurt them yea thou increasest that which makes them so hateful to thee. For by this means they walk more closely with God, they separate themselves from the world. It's a mercy to them, they have this hatred, otherwise they might comply too much, and ensnare their souls, and symbolize with mens wickedness: Now how absurd is thy hatred, by that thou makest them more holy, and so advancest that which is so abominable to thee? Thou art to them as a file to the rusty iron; thou art to them as Lazarus dogs tongues were to lick his sores whole; thou art Gods scullion to wipe and keep his vessel clean, who would not think thou shouldst rather do, as that persecutor, that would not let him die, saying, he envied him the honour of a Martyr? Thy very hatred should make thee leave hating and opposing, because hereby thou makest the godly man more glorious and happy.

Secondly, Consider that thou dost not hurt them yea thou increasest that which makes them so hatefull to thee. For by this means they walk more closely with God, they separate themselves from the world. It's a mercy to them, they have this hatred, otherwise they might comply too much, and ensnare their souls, and symbolize with mens wickedness: Now how absurd is thy hatred, by that thou makest them more holy, and so advancest that which is so abominable to thee? Thou art to them as a fyle to the rusty iron; thou art to them as Lazarus dogs tongues were to lick his sores whole; thou art Gods scullion to wipe and keep his vessel clean, who would not think thou shouldst rather do, as that persecutour, that would not let him die, saying, he envied him the honour of a Martyr? Thy very hatred should make thee leave hating and opposing, because hereby thou makest the godly man more glorious and happy.

Thirdly, Consider hereby thou hurtest thy self, and not them; As the dog that bites the stone for rage, or a man that shoots an arrow at a brazen wall, and that recoileth back, and kills the Archer; thy hatred, thy cursings will fall back upon thy head; It's not the godly man only, but thy self and thy own soul thou hatest; See whether those many curses and miseries thou hast, be not the fruit of thy hatred, thou art a tormentor and troubler to thy self; Though Achan troubled Israel, yet he troubled himself and his own house also.