I know the enemies of God's People aim at something else: They strike at Profession, yea, at Religion it self; and according to their wicked intention, without timely Repentance, will their reward be. But whatever the intention of the Agents be, the issues of Persecution are upon this account greatly beneficial to the Church; the Wisdom of God makes them excellently useful, both to prevent and cure the mischiefs and dangers of Errors. If Enemies were not, Friends and Brethren would be injurious to each other. Persecution, if it kills not, yet at least it gives check ⟨p. 164⟩to the rise and growth of Errors: And if it do not perfectly redintegrate and unite the hearts of Christians, yet to be sure it cools and allays their sinful heats; and that two ways: (1.) By cutting out for them far better and more necessary work. Now, instead of racking their Brains about unnecessary Controversies, they find it high time to be searching their hearts, and examining the foundations of their Faith and Hope, with respect to the other World. (2.) Moreover, such times and straights, discover the Sincerity, Zeal and Constancy of them we were jealous of, or prejudiced against before, because they followed not us.
I know the enemies of God's People aim at something else: They strike at Profession, yea, at Religion it self; and according to their wicked intention, without timely Repentance, will their reward be. But whatever the intention of the Agents be, the issues of Persecution are upon this account greatly beneficial to the Church; the Wisdom of God makes them excellently useful, both to prevent and cure the mischiefs and dangers of Errors. If Enemies were not, Friends and Brethren would be injurious to each other. Persecution, if it kills not, yet at least it gives check ⟨p. 164⟩to the rise and growth of Errors: And if it do not perfectly redintigrate and unite the hearts of Christians, yet to be sure it cools and allays their sinful heats; and that two ways: (1.) By cutting out for them far better and more necessary work. Now, instead of racking their Brains about unnecessary Controversies, they find it high time to be searching their hearts, and examining the foundations of their Faith and Hope, with respect to the other World. (2.) Moreover, such times and straights, discover the Sincerity, Zeal and Constancy of them we were jealous of, or prejudiced against before, because they followed not us.
