By the Croft of Chrift. i97 have I knownmen reproached for unmercifulnefs, and for not be- ingmore liberali , when they havebeen fo pow in their eflates, that they were not able to maintain their families, or to pay every manhis own : and yet they that knewnot this did back-bite them as covetous. Quell, 7. Furthermore I would know ; Are you fare it is not Satanwithinyou thatprompted) you to theft accafations ? Hear my evidence and judge. He iscalled in Scripture the Accufer of the Brethren, Rev. t a. i o. and he is defcribed tobe a Lyingmalicious fpirit. J f therefore it be a Lying, malignant,malicious fpirit,then certainly it is the fpirit of Satan. And r. We have caufe to believe that it is a Lying fpirit by thefeevidences following. 1. We find the wordofGod alluring us that thegodlyover- come the world, and are fuch as havelaid up their trealùre inhea- ven. And by the refl of their lives, we find the charaflers of the godly to agree more with them , then with the negligent 'Mul- titude. 2. We know that their Religion condemned) worldlinefs ; and they hear, and read, and fpeak againfl it. 3. They only under Goddo knowtheir own hearts : and they profefs themfelves tobe contemners of the world, and heirs of a better world. Andwe find them at leafi as trueof their words in other things, asany other men : and therefore having not forfeit- ed their credit, we are bound to believe them. 4. Efpecially when we know thatyou thataccufe them areun- acquainted with their hearts. 5. And when we read in Scripture and Church Hiflory , that the malignant enemies of Chrift and hisChurch have in all ages ufed the fame reproaches againfl his people, from meer prejudice, and the words of others, and the malice of their hearts. 6. And weour felves do live among them as well as you , and as nearthem as you : and wefee not by them any fuch thing for which you accule them. As far as we can judge, it is you that are the worldlings , and their converfation is in , Phil: 3. 20, 21.- Excepting fomehypocrites that creep jnamong them, as they ever have done, andwill do into the Church till Chrill at Judgement shut them out. Moreover we fee in the courfe oftheir lives, that their fpeeches arc more heavenly then yours, and lefs Cc 3.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=