then said the President, I am very well assured, that if the arrest of Merindol be put in execution, the King will not be well pleased to have such destruction made of his ⟨p. 35⟩Subjects: the Bishop answered, Although the King at the first do think it evil done, we will so bring it to pass, that within a short space, he shall think it well enough, for we have the Cardinals on our side, and especially the most reverend Cardinal of Tournon. We read likewise of the unreasonableness of the malice of wicked men against Gods servants, in the History of the Waldenses: they petitioning, that seeing it was permitted to the Turks, Saracens, and Jews, (who are mortal enemies to Christ) to dwell peaceably in the fairest Cities of Christendom, that pity and compassion might be showed to them, who have their whole Religion founded upon the Gospel, and worshipping the Lord Jesus; and that they might be suffered to live quietly in desolate Mountains, and deserts, and valleys, protesting that they would live in all fear and reverence of God, with all due subjection and obedience to their Lord and Prince, and to his Lieutenants and Officers; and yet this Petition could not be granted. We read likewise, that when that worthy Servant of God, John Frith, who was a learned and godly Minister, was burnt at the stake, together with one Andrew Hewet; that one Doctor Cook a Parson in London, openly admonished all the people, that they should in no wise pray for them, no more then they would for a dog. O what bitterness and rage is there in the hearts of wicked men, against Gods servants! No marvel then, seeing they live amongst them, they suffer so much affliction as they do. The Lord tells Ezekiel, that he lived amongst briars and thorns, and that he dwelt amongst scorpions. 1Thus all Gods people, living with the men of the world, may be said to live amongst briars and ⟨p. 36⟩thorns, and to dwell amongst Scorpions; no marvel then though they be so torn and stung as they are; some have only snarling, wrangling, railing spirits, and there is all they can do; the worst is but to prick and tear the flesh, as a briar and thorn; but others are scorpions, able to do a great deal more mischief.
then said the President, I am very well assured, that if the arrest of Merindol be put in execution, the King will not be well pleased to have such destruction made of his ⟨p. 35⟩Subjects: the Bishop answered, Although the King at the first do think it evil done, we will so bring it to pass, that within a short space, he shall think it well enough, for we have the Cardinals on our side, and especially the most reverend Cardinal of Tournon. We read likewise of the unreasonableness of the malice of wicked men against Gods servants, in the History of the Waldenses: they petitioning, that seeing it was permitted to the Turks, Saracens, and Jews, (who are mortal enemies to Christ) to dwell peaceably in the fairest Cities of Christendom, that pity and compassion might be shewed to them, who have their whole Religion founded upon the Gospel, and worshipping the Lord Jesus; and that they might be suffered to live quietly in desolate Mountains, and desarts, and valleys, protesting that they would live in all fear and reverence of God, with all due subjection and obedience to their Lord and Prince, and to his Lieutenants and Officers; and yet this Petition could not be granted. We read likewise, that when that worthy Servant of God, John Frith, who was a learned and godly Minister, was burnt at the stake, together with one Andrew Hewet; that one Doctor Cook a Parson in London, openly admonished all the people, that they should in no wise pray for them, no more then they would for a dog. O what bitterness and rage is there in the hearts of wicked men, against Gods servants! No marvel then, seeing they live amongst them, they suffer so much affliction as they do. The Lord tells Ezekiel, that he lived amongst bryars and thorns, and that he dwelt amongst scorpions. 1Thus all Gods people, living with the men of the world, may be said to live amongst bryars and ⟨p. 36⟩thorns, and to dwell amongst Scorpions; no marvel then though they be so torn and stung as they are; some have onely snarling, wrangling, railing spirits, and there is all they can do; the worst is but to prick and tear the flesh, as a bryar and thorn; but others are scorpions, able to do a great deal more mischief.
- 1Ezek. 26.
