Wicked persons may be in a godly Family. [ 1308]
ST. Augustine writing to the Clergy and Townesmen of Hippo,* 1.1 saith, Although the discipline and government of my house be strict and vigilant, yet as I am a Man, and live amongst Men, I dare not arrogate to my self, that my house should be better then the Ark of Noah, the house of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and of Christ: Thus may it be also with many a good Man; yea, there have been no worse Men in the World, then they that have had the best means of Grace in Christian Fami∣lies; As in Adam's, there was a murthering Cain; In Abraham's, a persecuting Ishmael;* 1.2 In Noah's, a scoffing Cham; In Isaac's, a prophane Esau; In David's. an undutiful Absolon; In Mephibosheth's, a Faithlesse Ziba; In Elisha's, a lying Gehezi; And in the Colledg of Christ, a treacherous Iudas: And no wonder;