Christians not to revile and reproach one another. [ 1253]
IT is a notable speech of one Nemon,* 1.1 that was a Generall of the Persian Ar∣my, that when he was fighting against Alexander, one of his Souldiers run upon Alexander's face with much ill language, and many opprobrious terms, the General hearing of it, smote him on the face, saying; I did not hire thee to reproach Alexander, but to fight against him: Thus if an Heathen could not en∣dure to hear that his Enemy should be reproached, How much lesse will God bear it, to have his Children reproaching one another? It was therefore a brave speech of Calvin,* 1.2 Etiamsi Lutherùs vocet me Diabolum, &c. Although Luther call me Devill, yet I will honour him as a dear Servant of Iesus Christ; And so, though those that are our brethren do cast Reproach upon us, we should honour the Grace of God in them, and not cast reproach upon them again: It is more then enough, that the briars and thorns of the Wildernesse, such as are without, do tear the Flesh, and rend the good names of Christians, let not them do it then one unto an∣other.