VERSE. 11.
WEE have had a description of him, now a caveat for the avoyding of him, where 1. the precept. 2. the reason, the precept is partly negative, partly affirmative. Fol∣low not that which is evill, no not in Diotrephes, though he be a man of credit and estimation with some.
Evill is soone imitated, especially in great persons, they are a countenance to it, their actions seeme to be lawes. Such a great man sweares profanely: Why may not I sweare too? no: Fol∣low not that which is evill in any, no not in good men, follow not Lots incest, David his adultery, Peters denyall, but especiall de∣cline that which is evill in bad men, though they bee never so great in Church or Common wealth.
1. Evill is agreeable to our nature, it is soone followed, a little perswading will serve the turne, therefore we had neede to be∣ware of it.
2. There be many instigators to that which is evill, the devill and his instruments to thrust us forward.
3. Evill is common, a weede that growes every where, good∣nesse is a flower that growes in few gardens.*Broad is the way that leades to destruction, and many there be that finde it: Narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few that walke in it. many Sodomites but one Lot.
4. Evill since the fall is of greatest antiquity: there was a Cain before an Abel: an Ismael before an Isaac: an Esau before a Iacob, therefore we had neede to watch over our selves, else wee shall follow evill ere we be aware.
5. Whether doth evill leade us? even to hell, to the bottome∣lesse pit of eternall damnation, follow her not, let her goe alone for all us, yet she hath too many followers, even in the light of the Gospel.
We are compassed about with evill men, before and behinde, on the right hand, and on the left, yet let us be among them, but let us not follow them, let us be like to fishes, they live in salt water: yet they themselves are fresh. Noah lived in the corrupt Page 707 world; yet he himselfe remained incorrupt.*〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as if he had beene cloathed with another nature, Iob, saith the same Father, was as a Dove among Hawkes, a Lambe among Wolves, a Starre among Cloudes, a Lilly among Thornes,* yet he persevered in his uprightnesse. We shall meete with evill, wheresoever we be, yet let us keepe our selves undefiled of evill.
What must we know then? That which is good; which is commanded in the Law of God, the rule of all goodnesse for the squaring of our actions, yea, in the very Heathen. The Sunne is ours wheresoever it shineth, though it be upon a dunghill; good is ours wheresoever it be, though among the Heathen. Follow the patience of Socrates, the chastitie of Lucretia, the temporance of Zeno, the just dealing of Aristides, the contempt of money that was in Lucullus, Fabritius; but especially follow it in the godly the members of Christ. Follow the faith of Abraham, the zeale of Phi∣neas, the sincerity of Nathaniel, the liberality of Zacheus, and Cornelius; listen to the admonition of Saint Paul. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,*whatsoever things are just, are pure, appertaining to love, whatever things are of good report, if there be any verture, if there be any praise, thinke on these things.
But let us come to Saint Iohns Reason. 1. For goodnesse. Hee that doth good, is of God, not by propagation, but by imitation, he is full of goodnesse; be you so too in some measure, Be you merci∣full, as your heavenly father is mercifull, be yee bountifull, as he is bountifull, be ye loving, as he is loving: He doth good to his very enemies, so doe you.
2. He doth that, which is acceptable to God, he is of his fami∣ly, he serves and obeyes him, therefore God will reward him for it: on the other side; He that doth evill hath not seene God. Why? then none hath seene him; for all doe evill: the meaning is, that doth accustome himselfe to doe evill. The godly man doth evill, but it is upon weakenesse▪ the wicked doe it upon wilfulnesse; the one accidentally, the other properly and naturally.
Such a one hath not seene God: No more hath the holiest man in the world. No man hath seene God at any time; That is spoken of the essence of God, and of a perfect seeing of him.* But here he entreates of an experimentall seeing of God. Taste and see how good the Lord is; he hath not seene the power, the wisedome, the justice, the mercy of God. He knoweth not God.* Hee hath no ac∣quaintance at all with God; like to them that never saw him: he is a stranger from God, and so consequently from all happinesse. If they knew God aright, they would not take such evill courses, as they doe. He that walketh in the darke cannot see: wicked men walke in the darkenesse of sinne and ignorance; they lie wal∣lowing in the workes of darkenesse; therefore they can not see God. Therefore let us abhorre that which is evill; It will blind our eyes, and keepe us from seeing of God.