The Fountain of Life Opened

Inference 2.

¹From the early flight of Christ into Egypt, we infer, That the greatest innocency, and piety, cannot exempt from persecution and injury. Who more innocent than Christ? And who more persecuted? The world is the world still. I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them, Joh. 17.14. The world lies in wait as a thief, for them that carry this treasure; they who are empty may sing before him; he never stops them: But persecution follows piety, as the shadow doth the body. 2 Tim. 3.12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer p•rs• cution. Whosoever resolves to live holily, must never expect to live quietly. It's godliness, and godliness in Christ Jesus (i. e.) such as is derived from Christ, true godliness, and it's true godliness as it's manifested in practice. All that will live godly, that will exert holiness in their lives; which convinces and galls the Consciences of the ungodly. 'Tis this enrages, for there is an enmity, and antipathy betwixt them: and this enmity runs in a blood, and it's transmitted with it from generation, to generation. Gal. 4.29. As then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit; even so it is now. Mark, so it was, and so still it is. Cains Club is still carried up and down,² redded with the blood of Abel, saith Bucholtzer: but thus it must be, to conform us unto Christ; and oh that your Spirits, as well as your Conditions may better harmonize with Christ. He suffered meekly, quietly, and self-denyingly; be ye like him. Let it not be said of you, as it is of the Hypocrite, whose lusts are only hid, but not mortified by his duties; that he is like a flint, which seems cold; but if you strike him, he is all fiery. To do well, and suffer ill is Christ-like.