1. Here we have one special reason of Saints suffering what they do by the world. It is not Gods displeasure against them: for in love to them, and for their present and future glory are they here persecuted. It is for the punishment of the world to deprive it of those that would be their greatest honour, comfort, and profit, if they were well entertained among them.
⟨p. 236⟩2. Herein appeareth the worlds sottishness in punishing themselves by their attempts to punish Saints.
They may spoil Saints of earthly habitations and revenues: they may put them to bodily pains; and deprive them of life: but they spoil themselves of the means of spiritual grace, of peace of conscience, and comfort of Soul: Yea, and of eternal life: and implunge themselves into easeless and endless torments.
3. This showeth whose case is the worst, whether theirs that are persecuted, or theirs who do persecute. Surely if all things be duly weighed, we shall easily discern that the persecutors case is the worst. The persecuted therefore may say, weep not for us, but weep for your selves, Luke 23. 28. The persecuted are as the Figs, the good Figs which were very good, but persecutors like the evil Figs, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil, Jer. 24. 3.
4. This giveth occasion to such as are deprived of faithful Ministers, and Godly neighbours to examine themselves, and consider whether their unworthiness hath not been the cause thereof.
5. This exhorteth us to esteem Ministers, Saints, Divine ordinances, and other holy things appertaining to the Kingdom of God, so, as God may account us worthy still to enjoy them; and not take them away by reason of our unworthiness.
1. Here vve have one special reason of Saints suffering vvhat they do by the vvorld. It is not Gods displeasure against them: for in love to them, and for their present and future glory are they here persecuted. It is for the punishment of the vvorld to deprive it of those that vvould be their greatest honour, comfort, and profit, if they vvere vvell entertained among them.
⟨p. 236⟩2. Herein appeareth the vvorlds sottishnesse in punishing themselves by their attempts to punish Saints.
They may spoil Saints of earthly habitations and revenues: they may put them to bodily pains; and deprive them of life: but they spoil themselves of the means of spiritual grace, of peace of conscience, and comfort of Soul: Yea, and of eternal life: and implunge themselves into easelesse and endlesse torments.
3. This sheweth vvhose case is the vvorst, vvhether theirs that are persecuted, or theirs vvho do persecute. Surely if all things be duely vveighed, vve shall easily disc•rn that the persecutors case is the vvorst. The persecuted therefore may say, weep not for us, but weep for your selves, Luke 23. 28. The persecuted are as the Figs, the good Figs vvhich vvere very good, but persecutors like the evil Figs, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil, Ier. 24. 3.
4. This giveth occasion to such as are deprived of faithfull Ministers, and Godly neighbours to examine themselves, and consider vvhether their unworthinesse hath not been the cause thereof.
5. This exhorteth us to esteem Ministers, Saints, Divine ordinances, and other holy things appertaining to the Kingdom of God, so, as God may account us vvorthy still to enjoy them; and not take them away by reason of our unworthinesse.
