Verse 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies]
A hard task, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must needs say, but hard or not hard, it must be done, be it never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contrary to our foul nature, and former practice: The spirit* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is in us lusteth after envy, but the Scripture teacheth better 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And what are those? To go no further then the present 〈◊〉〈◊〉; 1. Love your enemies, for the inside, be tenderly affected 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, as heartily wishing their good every way; being* 1.2 glad of their welfare, and grieved when it falls out otherwise:* 1.3 Thus David was a sorrowfull man when his enemies were in affli∣ction, and put on sackcloth. 2. Seal up our love to them by all good expressions; which are here referred to these three heads. 1. Blesse them, that is, speak kindly to them and of them, let them* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your good word. 2. Doe good, that is, be ready to help them and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, at all assayes. 3. Pray for them, that God would pardon their sins, and turn their hearts. This is our Saviours precept, and this was his practice. He melted over Jerusalem (the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house of his Saints and himself) and was grieved at the hardnesse of their hearts. Next (for words) he called Judas, Friend, not devil; and prayed, Father, forgive them. And (for* 1.5 deeds) he not only not called for fire from heaven, or legions of An∣gels against them; but did them all good for bodies and souls; for he healed Malchus ear, washt Judas his feet, &c. like that good Samaritan, he was at pains and cost with them, instructing them* 1.6 with patience, and proving if at any time he might pull them out of the snare of the devil, by whom they were taken alive at his plea∣sure:* 1.7 Which also he did. For he converted the thief on the crosse (who at first had reviled him,) and graciously received those three thousand souls that had embrued their villanous hands in his in∣nocent bloud, Acts 2. Thus our Saviour, full of grace and truth.