§. 270. Of Confessors keeping out of the sight of Persecutors.
THE wandring of confessors in places not habited by men, such as were De∣sarts, Mountains, Dens and Caves of the earth, plainly demonstrateth, that they lived in such times, as they durst not be known where they were. This was the case of David, 1 Sam. 23, 13, 16. and 24. 3. and of Elijah, 1 King. 19. 3, 4. And of the hundred Prophets whom Obadiah fed in two caves, 1 King. 18. 4. and of Ieremiah and Baruck. Jer. 36. 26. So of others in others ages.
This so fell out not upon any guilt or wrong done by them, but by the impla∣cable hatred of the world against them. Could the men of this world get them into their clutches, they would do with them, as Doggs do with Hares, even teare them all to pieces. As Hares therefore, and other like creatures, keep as much as they can, out of the sight of Hunters and hounds: So do these, keep themselves from the sight of persecutors.
- 1. Papists hence infer, that it is lawfull and commendable, yea, more than or∣dinarily meritorious, to live as Hermites in Desarts, Dens, and Caves, to give themselves, as they pretend, to contemplation and devotion: but to give a full answer to these.
- 1. They clean mistake their grounds: For these did not voluntarily af∣fect* 1.1 such places: they were forced to do what they did.
- 2. Popish Hermites and Anchorites now dwell by Townes, Cities, and High-wayes to make a gain to themselves thereby.
- 3. They cast themselves out of all callings, whereby they might do more honour to God, and good to men than by their pretended devotion.
- 4. Their pretence of private devotion apparently hindereth publick de∣votion: which is more honourable to God: So as they come under this censure of Christ, Thus have ye made the Commandement of God of none effect by your tradition, Matth. 15. 6, 7.
- 5. By Solitariness men make themselves more subject to the Devill. Then did the Devill most fiercely set upon Christ, when he was alone in the Wilderness, Mark. 1. 12, 13.
- 2. This admonisheth us to get into acquaintance with God, to be well exer∣cised in his Word, to accustome our selves unto divine contemplation and medita∣tion, to be well instructed in the presence and attendance of Angels or Saints, that if we be ever forced thus to wander, we may have wherein to solace our selves.
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