Love to Christ, necessary to escape the curse at his coming

Therefore when we find holy men of God in Scripture using Imprecations and Curses, we must not ⟨p. 79⟩draw them into Example, to fill our Mouths with Curses against any; for there is not the same reason betwixt us and them.

1. When they cursed, they had the gift of discerning of Spirits, whereby they perceived, such were designed by God unto destruction, as a Reward of their cursed Sinnings, against whom they used such fearful Imprecations of Eternal Damnation: Acts 8.20. Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21. Thou hast neither part, nor lot in this matter; for thine heart is not right in the sight of God. 23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. The like is to be said of David's cursing of his slanderous Enemies, under the person of Doeg, Ahithophel, or Judas, praying against his Person, Family, Name, Honour, Estate, and Eternal Salvation. Psal. 109.6. Set thou a wicked man over him; and let Satan stand at his right hand: 7. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned; and let his prayer become sin. 8. Let his days be few, and let another take his office. 9. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. 10. Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; let them seek their bread in desolate places. 11. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the stranger spoil his labour. 12. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him; neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. 13. Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following, let their name be blotted out, &c.

1. When they cursed, they had the gift of discerning of Spirits, whereby they perceived, such were designed by God unto destruction, as a Reward of their cursed Sinnings, against whom they used such fearful Imprecations of Eternal Damnation: