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THE third kinde of persecution is thus set down, scourgings.
This word a 1.1 scourgings doth properly set out the meaning of the Greek word. For b 1.2 a verb that is of the same notation signifieth to scourge, Matth. 10. 17. and 20. 19.
The word of the Text is also applied to painfull and •…•…ormenting diseases, Mark. 3. 10.
This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a •…•…ore tria•…•…l, very painfull, and hard to be endured; especially as Persecutors u•…•…ed to scourge Saints, with scourges of whip-cord, of wyer, and other like things, that fetched blood, and tare the flesh of those, who were scourged. In regard of this kind of punishment many a Saint may say, the Plowers plowed upon my back, and made long their furrows, Psal. 129. 3. Thus this kind of perse∣cution may be reckoned up under torments. This was always counted a base kind of punishment: Vassals, slaves, base, beastly persons were wont thus to be punished. Under the Law, if a man were so base as to lye with a bond-maid, he was to be scourged, Lev. 29. 20.
Hereby we see that professors for their Religion are punished in the basest and* 1.3 sorest manner that can be. So was Christ dealt withall, Matth. 27. 26, 29. So the Apostles, Act. 5. 40. and 16. 23. So sorely were Paul and Silas scourged, as the wounds, made by the scourges, were suppled and washed by the Jailer. In persecutions against Christians by the Heathens, many were scourged in open and publick places for the greater disgrace, and so cruelly, as they died thereof. The like hath been done by Antichristians.
No such malice and hatred is ordinarily found in any, as in persecutors against Professors of the Gospel. For there is nothing so contrary to error, Heresie or Ido∣latry, as Gods truth. One error is not so contrary to another, nor one kind of he∣resy, or Idolatry, as Divine Truth is unto them all. No marvel then, that the ha∣tred and malice of persecutors hath been so insatiable against professors of the Truth: whom they handle as slaves, yea, as beasts.
This teacheth us who are resolved to hold the truth, to be prepared against all kinds of trialls, whether of shame or pain. It is said of Christ, that he endured the Cross and despised the shame. Heb. 12. 2. Look unto him, and consider the cause rather than the kind of suffering. I•…•… skilleth not how enemies of Gods truth esteem us, and deal with us, so long as God, good Angells, and holy men ap∣prove us.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Flagello.
Professors basely hand∣led.