2. It reproves such, who if they do not persecute Ministers, yet hate them, bear a secret spite and enmity in their hearts against them; and the reason is because they testify that their works are evil, upon which account our Saviour was hated, Joh. 7.7. they hate them because they reprove them for their sins, and disturb their Consciences sometimes, by sounding peals of Judgement in their ears, that they cannot sin with that freedom and security as they desire: Poor souls, how will they endure the pains of Hell themselves, that cannot endure the sore-thoughts of them, and hate them which bring such sad thoughts into their minds, though it be in order to their escape? Would any of you hate a neighbour ⟨p. 70⟩that should cry aloud in the dead of the night, Fire, fire, and bounce at your doors, and awaken you out of your sleep, to warn you of a Fire drawing near to your habitation, which if not prevented would burn house and goods and persons together? And what do Ministers more than cry Fire, fire, and tell you of your near approach to everlasting burnings, in which without some speedy course taken for prevention, will certainly seize upon you, and consume you everlastingly? And have any reason to be troubled and offended, and hate Ministers for awakening them upon such an account as this, when their souls lie at stake, and are in such danger? A Physician of the body is not hated, that tells his Patient that his disease is dangerous, which if let alone without taking such a remedy will certainly be his death: And have any reason to hate Ministers who are Physicians of the Soul, because they tell men of the disease of sin, which if not cured by the blood of Christ will certainly and may suddenly bring eternal death?
2. It reproves such, who if they do not persecute Ministers, yet hate them, bear a secret spight and enmity in their hearts against them; and the reason is because they testifie that their works are evil, upon which account our Saviour was hated, Ioh. 7.7. they hate them because they reprove them for their sins, and disturb their Consciences sometimes, by sounding peals of Judgement in their ears, that they cannot sin with that freedom and security as they desire: Poor souls, how will they endure the pains of Hell themselves, that cannot endure the sore-thoughts of them, and hate them which bring such sad thoughts into their mindes, though it be in order to their escape? Would any of you hate a neighbour ⟨p. 70⟩that should cry aloud in the dead of the night, Fire, fire, and bounce at your doors, and awaken you out of your sleep, to warn you of a Fire drawing neer to your habitation, which if not prevented would burn house and goods and persons together? And what do Ministers more than cry Fire, fire, and tell you of your near approach to everlasting burnings, in which without some speedy course taken for prevention, will certainly seize upon you, and consume you everlastingly? And have any reason to be troubled and offended, and hate Ministers for awakening them upon such an account as this, when their souls lie at stake, and are in such danger? A Physician of the body is not hated, that tells his Patient that his disease is dangerous, which if let alone without taking such a remedy will certainly be his death: And have any reason to hate Ministers who are Physicians of the Soul, because they tell men of the disease of sin, which if not cured by the blood of Christ will certainly and may suddenly bring eternal death?
