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THe implacable hatred of the Amalakites giveth evi∣dence, * 1.1 that
Inveterate hatred is hardly satisfied. It endeth not with a mans life, but is oft propagated to posterity. Amalek re∣ceived it from his grand-father Esau and propagated it to his posterity. The forementioned instances give abundant proof hereof. The like may be exemplified in the other branch of
Esaus posterity, the Edomites; and in the Ishmaelites and Hagarens, the of spring of Hagar, Abrahams concubine: * 1.2 and in the Moabites and Ammonites, the progenie of Lot. The Prophets are full of expostulations and exclamations against all these, for their bitter hatred against Israel, mani∣fested by all the occasions that they could take of doing any mischiefe unto them. Though there was a nearer propin∣quity betwixt all these and the Iewes, then betwixt them and other nations, yet their hatred was more against the Iewes then against any other nation; so as they were ready to joyne with others against the Iewes, and when by others the Iewes had beene overthrowne and captivated, they would insult. How implacable and insatiable was the hatred of the Priests, Scribes, Pharisies, and other Iewes against Christ and his Apostles? To omit the many instances that for proofe hereof might be gathered out of the histories of the Evangelists, of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul beareth this witnesse against them, They killed the Lord Iesus, and * 1.3 their owne Prophets, and have persecuted us, &c. Ecclesiasti∣call histories give instances of like hatred and malice of others in succeeding ages. And we in our age have found wofull experience of as much in the hatred of Papists and others against us.
Wrathfull and revengefull affections, whereof malice and * 1.4 hatred are not the least, are of a spreading and increasing na∣ture: like fire, the longer it continueth (especially having matter to work upon) the further it spreadeth it selfe, and the hotter it waxeth. But the fore-named affections can ne∣ver want fuell. Goodnesse it selfe, by reason of the malig∣nant disposition of such as are malicious, becomes fuell to * 1.5 the fire of malice and hatred. These fiery affections there∣fore may fitly and justly be added to the number of those things that are never satisfied, nor will say, It is enough. (Pro. 30. 15.) Especially against truth and vertue is malice al∣waies mad.
Both the power which the God of this world hath over the men of this world, and also the deep rooting that cor∣ruption
hath taken in the hearts of naturall men, is hereby * 1.6 manifested. That which so farre spreadeth it selfe, which so long continueth, which is so unsatiable, as we heard ma∣lice and hatred to be, must needs have fast and deep rooting. And the fire which is ever and anon flaming forth, must needs be blowne up by some means or other. Now the De∣vill is he, that is ready at all turnes, where he observeth fire to be, to blow it up. And, where he is suffered so in∣cessantly to incense the fire of malice, what can we els thinke but that he there beareth a great sway; yea that he hath the whole rule? A matter of much humiliation. For what is more contrary to the Divine nature? Surely in this respect there is a great gulfe betwixt it and us. For where he is al∣waies delighted in doing good, on the contrary, the perni∣cious affection of malice doth worke in us a desire to do wrong even to such as are harmlesse.
How wise and circumspect ought we to be, that are of * 1.7 the Church of God, so long as we live in this world, that we give not unnecessary advantages to such malicious persons, whose wrath is implacable, whose hatred is unsatiable? So long as there are Israelites in the world, there wilbe Ama∣lakites. So long as there are people that professe the name of the true God, there wilbe malicious enemies that for their profession sake will worke them all the mischiefe that pos∣sibly they can. As there is a direct contrariety betwixt truth and errour, so there is an imbred antipathy betwixt professours and maintainers of the one and the other (as is betwixt the wolfe and the lambe) by reason of that malici∣ous and mischievous disposition that is in enemies of the truth. The nearest bonds of nature are in this case little or nothing regarded. For, the brother will betray the brother to * 1.8 death: and the father the sonne: and the children will rise against the parents, and cause them to die.
Among other reasons of this immortall fewde against worshippers of the true God, and professours of the true Religion, this is one of the chiefe, that Truth is a light, that discovereth the evils that lie hid in darknesse. Now the
nearer that such as are of the light are to such as live in dark∣nesse, the more conspicuously are their evill deeds discove∣red: which makes them the more fret and fume.
What wonder is it, if the like fall out in our daies? Be∣fore our daies it was so: and after our daies it is like to be so, Papists to Protestants are as Amalakites to Israelites. We see therefore that no propinquity of country, kindred, neighbour-hood, or the like, can restraine their malice, but they are ready to take all advantages they can against us. Their profession being palpable Antichristianisme, this their malice against us is an evidence that our Religion is true, and Orthodoxe Christianity: which may minister unto us no small comfort against their bitter hatred of us.
Malicia si 〈◊〉〈◊〉 si ue si. Hier Cōment in Eccles 〈…〉〈…〉 qui proposi••o 〈…〉〈…〉. Chrys. Demi∣nic. 22. post Pentecost.
Psal. 83. 6, 7. Ier. 48. 27.—49. 1. Ezek. 25. 3, &c Am. 1. 11, 13. Obad 10. Zeph. 2. 8, 9.
1 Thes. 2. 15.
Malice of an increasing na∣ture.
Semper contra virtutem insanit malicia. Chrys. in Gen. 6. Hom 23. The power of Sathan. and depth of cor∣ruption in na∣turall men.
Quid longius à voluntate diu inâ quam malicia? Planè chaos magnum inter nos & illam fir∣matum est in hac parte: cumsem∣per eum delectet praestare benefi∣cia, & ingra'is no bis è contra suggerat affectio crudel ssima & innoxijs velle no∣cere. Bern. in Quadrag. Serm. 6.
Others malice must make us the more wary
Mat. 10. 21.