Theol. You have spoken a truth, And we have heard before how the old world was plagued for it. And we read how grievously the Jews were afflicted by the Romans for this sin: as our Lord Jesus did plainly foretell. We read also, that after the Lord had preached the Gospel himself, and spread it abroad by his Apostles, conquering the world thereby (which things was signified by the white horse,1 his rider, his bow, and his crown) end yet shortly after, saw that the same began to be contemned in the world, and made light of; then he did in most fearful manner ⟨p. 147⟩plague the earth with wars, bloudsheddings, tumults, dearth, famine, and pestilence: which are all signified by the red horse, the black horse, and the pale horse, which did appear at the opening of the second, third, and fourth seal. So likewise undoubtedly, God will severely punish all injuries, wrongs, and contempts done to his faithful Ambassadors; as appeareth Revel. 11.5. where it is set down, That, If any would hurt the two witnesses with their two olives, and two candlesticks, (whereby is signified the faithful Preachers of the Gospel, with all their spiritual treasures and heavenly light) fire should proceed out of their mouths, and devour their adversaries; that is, The fire of Gods wrath should consume all that had oppressed them, either by mocks, flouts, railing, slanders, imprisonment, or any other kind of indignity. Of this we have a plain example or two in the Scripture. First, we read how fire came down from heaven, and consumed the contemptuous Captain and his fifty,2 at the threatening and calling for of Elijah. Secondly, how two Bears came out of the Forrest,3 and tare in pieces two and forty yonkers which mocked Elisha, the Prophet of God, calling him bald-head, bald-head. So then by these examples it is ⟨p. 148⟩manifest, that howsoever the Lord may wink at these things for a time, and make as though he saw them not, yet the time will come, when he will rain fire and brimstone upon all the scoffers of his faithful ministers, and contemners of his Gospel. All this is plainly declared in the first chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon: where is showed how the wisdom of God, even Jesus Christ the highest wisdom, doth cry aloud all abroad in the world, and manifest himself in the open streets; but yet is contemned of wicked worldlings, and scoffing fools.
Theol. You have spoken a truth, And wee have heard before how the old world was plagued for it. And wee read how grievously the Iewes were afflicted by the Romans for this sinne: as our Lord Iesus did plainly foretell. We read also, that after the Lord had preached the Gospel himselfe, and spread it abroad by his Apostles, conquering the world thereby (which things was signified by the white horse,1 his rider, his bow, and his crowne) end yet shortly after, saw that the same began to be contemned in the world, and made light of; then hee did in most fearfull manner ⟨p. 147⟩plague the earth with warres, bloudsheddings, tumults, dearth, famine, and pestilence: which are all signified by the red horse, the black horse, and the pale horse, which did appeare at the opening of the second, third, and fourth seale. So likewise undoubtedly, God will severely punish all injuries, wrongs, and contempts done to his faithfull Embassadors; as appeareth Revel. 11.5. where it is set downe, That, If any would hurt the two witnesses with their two olives, and two candlesticks, (whereby is signified the faithfull Preachers of the Gospel, with all their spirituall treasures and heavenly light) fire should proceed out of their mouthes, and devoure their adversaries; that is, The fire of Gods wrath should consume all that had oppressed them, either by mocks, flouts, railing, slanders, imprisonment, or any other kinde of indignity. Of this wee have a plaine example or two in the Scripture. First, we read how fire came downe from heaven, and consumed the contemptuous Captaine and his fifty,2 at the threatning and calling for of Eliah. Secondly, how two Beares came out of the Forrest,3 and tare in pieces two and forty yonkers which mocked Elisha, the Prophet of God, calling him bald-head, bald-head. So then by these examples it is ⟨p. 148⟩manifest, that howsoever the Lord may winke at these things for a time, and make as though hee saw them not, yet the time will come, when hee will raine fire and brimstone upon all the scoffers of his faithfull ministers, and contemners of his Gospel. All this is plainly declared in the first chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon: where is shewed how the wisedome of God, even Iesus Christ the highest wisedome, doth cry aloud all abroad in the world, and manifest himselfe in the open streets; but yet is contemned of wicked worldlings, and scoffing fools.
- 1Re•. 6.•.
- 22 Kin. 1.10.
- 32 Kin. 2.23.
