The right way to shake off a viper. An essay, upon a case too…

Under the New Testament; the matter has not been mended; the old Enmity has been carried on in the old way, which wicked Men have Trodden. The Apostles of our Saviour, could appeal to all that knew them; Ye are Witnesses, how Holily, how Righteously, how Unblameably we have behaved our selves. But then, those Men of God were called unto this marvellous Proof of their being so. 2 Cor. 5.4, 8. Approving our selves as the Ministers of God, in much Patience, by Dishonour — by Evil Report. Above all, thou ⟨p. 32⟩must not be forgotten, O Paul, who didst labour, (and in this way, suffer) more abundantly then they all. Nor thy Thorn in the Flesh, — the strange Aversion which the Christianized Jews had unto him, on the score of his labour among the Gentiles: A Reproachful Aversion which could not be removed. The Gracious God, tho' besought thrice by his Prayerful and Faithful Servant, yet would not remove this Buffeting Incumbrance, but have him content with the Favour which he had in other things bestowed upon him. In the early Times, the Primitive Christians, how defamed were they? Such vile Accusations were brought unto the Imperial Throne against them, that some of the best Emperors looked on them as the worst of People; a Trajan himself became their Persecutor. The Church was long with Child, and in Travel, (full Two Hundred and Eighty Eight prophetical Days;) before the Revolution, when the Accuser of the Brethren, could be no more heard against her; yea, and after that Constantinian Revolution, it was astonishing to see, how professed Christians, but shamefully divided ones, persecuted one another with Defamations: Especially the Arians against the Orthodox. The one Example of Athanasius may be enough; you may learn all from what was done to that one. Church History reports, that Caedes, ⟨p. 33⟩Adulteria, Furta, quicquid atrox confingi poterat, sancto viro objiciebantur. They accused him for Beating some other Ministers, and offering them horrid Outrages; and for Spoiling and Robbing of Churches. The Arians Compelled him to do some necessary Things for his own Defence, and then those unreasonable Men, complained of him for doing those Things. They accused him for Murdering a Man, and cutting off one of his Hands to serve certain magical Purposes: tho' the Man anon appeared alive, safe and sound, unto the confusion of the Accusers.