Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Since the days of John Baptist the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force, Mat. 11. 12. this is ordinarily taken for the greediness of the peoples embracing Johns Ministry, but it rather seems to be spoken of another kind of violence, namely, the violence of opposition and persecution, in which the enemies of the Gospel seek to lay violent hands upon it; for he tells them presently, Verse 16, 17, 18. that the Jews were as wayward children, that nothing would please them, but said that John had a Devil; they were therefore rather ⟨p. 13⟩violent against his Ministry, then violent in embracing of his Ministry.

Since the days of John Baptist the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force, Mat. 11. 12. this is ordinarily taken for the greediness of the peoples embracing Johns Ministery, but it rather seems to be spoken of another kinde of violence, namely, the violence of opposition and persecution, in which the enemies of the Gospel seek to lay violent hands upon it; for he tells them presently, Verse 16, 17, 18. that the Jews were as wayward children, that nothing would please them, but said that John had a Devil; they were therefore rather ⟨p. 13⟩violent against his Ministery, then violent in embracing of his Ministery.

2 Tim. 3. 12. All that will live godly, must suffer persecution: First all] Every one must expect it, although ¹it is true, God calls not all to the like sufferings, yet he exempts none from some degree or other, let him be as wise, and as discreet as he will, yet if godly, he shall not escape. Christ was the best Preacher that ever was, he lived the most inoffensively that ever any did, and yet while he was preaching, the Pharisees blew their noses at him in scorn and derision;