would easier digest Mahometisme then Lutheranisme. The case of two many in our dayes, in opposing the Reformation. Behold, saith David, mine enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with a cruel hatred, Psal. 25.19. Yea; so cruel, that it makes their teeth gnash, and their hearts burst again, as it fared with those that stoned Stephen, Acts 7.54. This made the truths adversar••es, give St. Paul stripes above measure, 2 Cor. 11.23. And the Heathen Emperors to de∣vise such cruel tortures for all those that but profest themselves Christians. This made Ahab so hate Eliah, that there was not one Kingdom or Nation where he had not sent to take away his life, 1 King. 18.10. And this made the Papists dig many of our choice Ministers out of their graves, that they might the better curse them, with Bell, Book and Candle. Yea, ask from East to West, from one Pole to the other, search all records under Heaven, if ever there was the like of the intended Powder-plot.
Neither does this hatred extend it self to this or that person alone, but to the whole generation of the godly; as is well exprest, Psal. 83. Come let us cut them off from being a Nation, and let the Name of Israel be no more in remem∣brance, ver. 4.12. And the like we see in Haman, whose hatred to Mordecai was so deadly, that he thought it too little to lay hands on him only, except he destroyed all the Iews his people, that were throughout the whole King∣dome of Ahashuerosh, Esth. 3.5, 6. For the effecting whereof he offered ten thousand talents of silver into the Kings treasury, ver. 9.13. And of his mind was Herodias, who preferred the head of Iohn Baptist before the half of He∣rods Kingdom. And such another was cruel Arundale Archbishop of Canterbu∣ry, who swore he would not leave a slip of professors in this Land.
And the world is no changling, for this age hath but two many such Ha∣mans and Arundales, who so hate the children of God, that they wish as Ca∣ligula once did of the Romans, that they had all but one neck, that so they might cut it off at a blow, were it in their power. As why are not our San∣ctuaries turned into Shambles? and our Beds made to swim with our Bloods? but that the God of Israel hath crossed the confederacy of Balack, and their wickedness doth not prosper. For their studies are the plots of our ruine; and the best they intend, is the destruction and overthrow of Religion, or the re∣ligious, or both, Mat. 24.9. Iohn 16.2. Yea, their enmity and hatred is so vi∣rulent and bitter, that were their power answerable to their wills and malice, the brother would betray the brother to death, the father the son, and the chil∣dren would rise up against their parents, and cause them to die; the kinsman against the kinsman, and the friend against the friend; only for profe•••••••• Christs Name and being religious, as himself affirms, Matth. 10.34, 35, 36. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 21.16, 17. Neither is it strange, for this was one of the ends of Christs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the world, as appears Matth. 10.34, 35. where himself saith, Think 〈…〉〈…〉 I am come to send peace but the sword: meaning between the seed of the ••••••••pent, and the seed of the woman: for I am come to set a man at variance 〈…〉〈…〉 his father, the daughter in law against the mother in law, and 〈…〉〈…〉 shall be they of his own housheld, Luke 12.51, 52, 53.
Neither want we Presidents of this: For by whom was upright 〈…〉〈…〉cuted and slain, but by his own brother Cain? who scoft at righteou〈…〉〈…〉