A Christian library, or, A pleasant and plentiful paradise of practical divinity in 37 treatises of sundry and select subjects ... / by R. Younge ...

CHAP. XI.

Convert. WHerein consists their unlikeness and contrariety?

Minister. There be more differences between the children of God and the children of the Devil, then there are between men and beasts: But principally they differ in their judgements, affections and actions. How they differ in their judgements and affections, I have shewn upon another oc∣casion. How in their actions and practice (which occasions the greatest strife and discord) I will acquaint you as briefly as I can.

There is nothing more common then for all sorts and kindes of men to hate, scorn, persecute, reproach, revile, accuse, slander and condemn the religious, because their own works are evil and wicked, and the others good, holy and righ∣teous. As wherefore slew Cain his brother, saith S. Iohn, but because his own works were evil, and his brothers good, 1 Joh. 3.12. Why was Ioseph accused of his Mistress for an adulterer, and thereupon committed to prison, but because he would not be an adulterer like her, Gen. 39? yea it was his party coloured coat, composed of all kinds of graces and blessings, that formerly procured his brethrens hate. Wherefore was holy David, as himself complains almost in every Psalm, had in derision, hated, slandered, reviled, contemned, and made a proverb and song of the drunkards, and other wicked men which sate in the gate: but because he followed the things that were good and pleasing unto God, and in him put his trust, Psal. 11.2. and 22.6, 7, 8. and 37.14. and 69.10, 11, 12. And lastly (for I might be endlesse in the prosecution of this,) Why were all the just in Solomons time, had in abomination, and mockt of the wicked? but because they were upright in their way, and holy in their conversation, Pro. 29.27. Or those numberless Martyrs, whose souls S. John saw under the Altar, Rev. 6.9. killed? but for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they maintained? And the Mister himself? not for any evil as themselvs are forced to confess, Mar. ••.37. Which examples sufficiently prove, that that great Dragon the Devil, and these his Subjects, are wroth with none but the woman and the remnant of her 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which keep the Commandements of God, and have the testimony of Iesus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12.17. All was quiet at Ephesus before S. Paul came thither; but then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arose no small strife about that way, Acts 19.23 &c. A wolf flies not upon 〈…〉〈…〉 sheep: we can with delight look upon the picture of a Toad: It is your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christian that is most spighted and persecuted. As how many with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may complain with Ieremy, that because they live a godly life themselves, 〈…〉〈…〉all upon others to do the same, they are cursed of every one, and counted con∣••••••••, Jer. 15.10. It faring with many as it did with Caius Selius, of whom 〈…〉〈…〉 were wont to say, that he was a good man, but he was a Christian. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but a spark of fervent devotion break out in a fam••ly, all the rest. 〈…〉〈…〉 clamours; as when bells ring disorderly, every one is ready with his 〈…〉〈…〉 disgraced he must be for a Puritan, Roundhead, or

Phanatick, but only by Laodiceans. Indifferency strives to dash zeal cut of countenance. And the reason is, wheresoever Christ comes, there will be opposition. When Christ was born, all Ierusalem was troubled, and Herod cut the throats of all the children in Bethlem: so when Christ is born in any man, the soul is in an uprore, and Satan with his instruments are ready to kill in him every good motion, though it be never so little a babe. You cannot an∣ger a wicked man worse, then to do well: yea, he hates you more bitterly for this, and the credit you gain thereby, then if you had cheated him of his pa∣trimony with your own discredit. Whereas, if a man will but bear them com∣pany in their sins, drink, swear, temporize, contemn holiness, mis-spend his time, haunt Taverns, play the good fellow, and do as the rest do; he shall have the approbation and good word of the greatest number. Yea if none would be precise in their actions, nor reprove others for their evill courses; if they would but be prophane and wicked, and make no bones of sin •• their malice would cease, and we should not have a Roundhead or a Phanatick in all the world.

Neither is Christ a sign to be spoken against of many in Babylon or Assyria, but of many in Israel, Luke 2.34. where Religion is profest publikely: Yea when sincerity is wanting, the neerer the line with any opposition, the greater eclipse. The Gadarens but besought Christ to depart; his own countrymen drave him out, and cast him down headlong, Luke 4.29. And who was his greatest ene∣my, but his greatest friend, even one of his houshold Chaplains? and who but Ieremies familiars watched for his halting.

Yea commonly, vertue fares hardest from such as should and seem to up∣hold her; for the chief Persecutors of Christ and his followers, are not pro∣fest Atheists, or Turks, or Iews, but such as hold some great place in the Church. And intruders upon other mens right, can endure any man how bad soever rather to live by them, then the servants of him whom they intrude upon; as you may see, Matth. 21.33, to 39. where those farmers of the vineyard did not kill the theeves, robbers and spoilers of the vineyard; but the servants, yea and the son too; and the end of all was, that they might take the inheritance. And indeed it hath been the complaint almost of all that have written that they have suffered most from such as profest the same Faith and Religion with them.

And so much touching the main difference between the seed of the ser∣pent, and the seed of the woman.