Use 2.1 We had need be wise, that we be not taken in this snare of Satan,2 to mistake error for truth, and good for evil; Satan and his agents make things pass under contrary representations: Superstition goeth for Religion, and Religion for superstition▪ Schism, and Heresy. It hath always bin so; therefore seek wisdom to discern aright.3 The devil hath two properties, he is a liar, and a murderer; the one makes way for the other, for he could not murder unless he did lie. The devil himself will not be an open murderer, if he can help it: The fraudulent persecution is worse than the violent. If he can bring to hell by fraud, and lying, he will never do it by violence. He is a liar, that he may be a murderer: for when he can raise an imputation upon the Church and children of God, that they be Rebels, enemies of state, then he may cum privilegio be a murderer: when he hath tainted Gods people in the conceit of the world, then they find that entertainment not which they deserve, but which they be apprehended to deserve, when the conceit of other men towards them is poisoned.4 Oh this Sect is spoken against every where, say they to Paul, Acts 28. 22. Therefore we had need be wise; for if the instruments of Satan▪ led with his spirit, had not hoped that slanders should take, they would never have bin so skilful in that trade. But they know they shall find some shallow fools, that will believe them without searching into the depth of them, ⟨p. 93⟩and take up persons and things under prejudice. It is enough for them, that this is said of them, they have neither wit nor judgement, nor so much patience, from following their lusts, as to examine them: And that makes them so mad as they are. Calumniare audacter aliquid haerebit, Slander stoutly, something will stick they are sure of it. That which hath raised, and ruined many a man, is that of Hamans casting of jealousy upon those that are better then themselves. That was Hamans trick, and so will be the practice of the wicked, as it hath bin from the beginning, so to the end of the world. Thou art not Caesars friend say they, and its enough to Pilate; thus it hath bin and will be to the end of the world. Therefore we had need to be wise, that we be not misled: Men will never leave to speak ill, till they have learned to speak better, till the spirit of God hath taught them.
Use 2.1 Wee had need be wise, that wee be not taken in this snare of Satan,2 to mistake error for truth, and good for evill; Satan and his agents make things passe under contrary representations: Superstition goeth for Religion, and Religion for superstition▪ Schisme, and Heresie. It hath alwaies bin so; therefore seeke wisdome to discerne aright.3 The devill hath two properties, hee is a liar, and a murtherer; the one makes way for the other, for he could not murther unlesse he did lie. The devill himselfe will not be an open murtherer, if he can helpe it: The fraudulent persecution is worse than the violent. If he can bring to hell by fraud, and lying, hee will never doe it by violence. Hee is a lyar, that hee may be a murtherer: for when he can raise an imputation upon the Church and children of God, that they be Rebels, enemies of state, then he may cum privilegio be a murtherer: when he hath tainted Gods people in the conceit of the world, then they finde that entertainment not which they deserve, but which they be apprehended to deserve, when the conceit of other men towards them is poyson'd.4 Oh this Sect is spoken against every where, say they to Paul, Acts 28. 22. Therefore wee had need be wise; for if the instruments of Satan▪ led with his spirit, had not hoped that slanders should take, they would never have bin so skillfull in that trade. But they know they shall finde some shallow fooles, that will believe them without searching into the depth of them, ⟨p. 93⟩and take up persons and things under prejudice. It is enough for them, that this is said of them, they have neither wit nor judgement, nor so much patience, from following their lusts, as to examine them: And that makes them so mad as they are. Calumniare audacter aliquid haerebit, Slander stoutly, something will sticke they are sure of it. That which hath raised, and ruined many a man, is that of Hamans casting of jealousie upon those that are better then themselves. That was Hamans trick, and so will be the practice of the wicked, as it hath bin from the beginning, so to the end of the world. Thou art not Caesars friend say they, and its enough to Pilate; thus it hath bin and will be to the end of the world. Therefore we had need to be wise, that wee be not misled: Men will never leave to speake ill, till they have learned to speak better, till the spirit of God hath taught them.
- 1Use 2.
- 2To study to be wise, that we be not misled by the misrepresentation of things.To study to be wise, that wee be not misled by the misrepresentation of things.
- 3The devil a liar, that he may be a murderer.The devill a lyar, that he may be a murtherer.
- 4Why its the course of the world to slander.
