A Divine Cordial

4. We love the Saints though they are persecuted. We love precious Metal though it be in the furnace. St Paul did bear in his bobby the marks of the Lord Jesus, Gal. 6.17. Those marks were like the Soldiers scar, honourable. We must love a Saint as well in Chains, as in Scarlet. Constantine did kiss the hole of Paphnusius his eye, because he suffered the loss of his eye for Christ. If we love Christ, we love his persecuted Members.

4. We love the Saints though they are persecuted. We love precious Mettal though it be in the furnace. St Paul did bear in his boby the marks of the Lord Jesus, Gal. 6.17. Those marks were like the Souldiers scar, honourable. We must love a Saint as well in Chains, as in Scarlet. Constantine did kisse the hole of Paphnusius his eye, because he suffered the losse of his eye for Christ. If we love Christ, we love his persecuted Members.

If this be to love God, when we love his Image sparkling in the Saints, Oh then, how few Lovers of God are to be found! Do they love God, who hate them that are like God? Do they love Christs person, who are filled ⟨p. 108⟩a spirit of revenge against his people? How can that wife be said to love her husband, that tears his picture? Surely Judas and Julian are not yet dead, their spirit lives in the world. Who are guilty but the innocent? What greater crime than holiness, if the Devil may be one of the grand Jury? Wicked men seem to bear great reverence to the Saints departed; they canonize dead Saints, but persecute living. In vain do men stand up at the Creed, and tell the world, They believe in God, when they abominate one of the Articles of the Creed, namely, The Communion of Saints. Surely, there is not a greater sign of a man ripe for Hell, than this, not only to want grace, but to hate it.