Abel being dead yet speaketh

Since this time also some reverend, learned, and godly men (haply in zeal against the Congregational-way) sharpened their style against him. Which if it be the truth, as we believe it is, their speaking so much ad hominem, especially to such a man, whose love to any good man much exceeded their displeasure to him, argueth too much of man. Howsoever he was then a sufferer for the Truth: In which respect the pious and ingenuous spirit of learned Mr. Rutherford, though in pursuance of the Truth he disputes ad idem, and with strength, which is his praise and acceptable, yet he professedly carrieth it as to a Brother, not to an Adversary. There is an excess in too much salt, and not a little to be complained of in personal and causeless aspersions from good men: That smarts, these defile; That makes less comfortable, these tend us to make us unprofitable. Roses are not without their pricks. The Archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and were displeased with him; but his Bow abode in strength, & the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: From thence is the Shepherd and the Stone of Israel. An honest-minded man ¹(saith Xenophon) gets by enmity: And Plutarch writes a Treatise concerning benefiting by our Enemies, adorning his discourse with that of Jason of Thessaly, whose Enemy stabbing him, and intending his death, only opened an ulcer otherwise incurable, and so saved his life. If men without God in the world having only star-light, and scarce so much as seeing men walk like trees, only feeling after the Lord, have thus spoken; we see the greater encouragement why Christians, who are made light by the Father of Light, and know Him that is Love, may (through grace) not only speak better, but also practise accordingly. Job can turn the book written against him by his adversaries, into a crown. Joseph feeling the benefit of the Patriarchs unkindness, is the more ⟨p. 41⟩readily disposed to forgive that wrong, whereby he finds himself made a great gainer. He was a good Accountant, who esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt. Paul takes pleasure in reproaches for Christs sake. The best and most peaceable spirits cannot hope to fulfil their course in a Pacific sea. The way of the most excellent lieth through evil report and good report, through honour and dishonour.

Since this time also some reverend, learned, and godly men (haply in zeal against the Congregational-way) sharpened their style against him. Which if it be the truth, as we believe it is, their speaking so much ad hominem, especially to such a man, whose love to any good man much exceeded their displeasure to him, argueth too much of man. Howsoever he was then a sufferer for the Truth: In which respect the pious and ingenuous spirit of learned Mr. Rutherford, though in pursuance of the Truth he disputes ad idem, and with strength, which is his praise and acceptable, yet he professedly carrieth it as to a Brother, not to an Adversary. There is an excess in too much salt, and not a little to be complained of in personal and causeless aspersions from good men: That smarts, these defile; That makes less comfortable, these tend us to make us unprofitable. Roses are not without their pricks. The Archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and were displeased with him; but his Bowe abode in strength, & the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob: From thence is the Shepherd and the Stone of Israel. An honest-minded man