318 THE ABSOLUTE more than ever did any before them to make themselves incapable of preferment or domineering ;) and when men disobeyand dis- regard our doctrine, it is not Christ, but the preacher; that they despise and disobey. And if the Jews might so have been their own judges, it 'was not the Son of God whom they crucified, but an enemy to æsar, and a blasphemer that works by the devil. It was not Paa, a saint, that theypersecuted, but one that they found to be a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition amongst the people. But were there no seditious persons but apostles and Christians ; "nor' no troublera of Israel but Elias ; nor no' enemies to Owsar but Christ and his friends ? O ! God will shortly take off the veil of hypocrisy from the actions of the world, and make them confess that it was "Christ they resisted, and that it was his holy ways and word that did kindle their fury; else would they as soon have fallen upon the ungodly rabble, as they did upon the most zealous and conscionable Christians ; and, however xou man- gle and deform them with your false accusations and reproach; he will then know and,own his people and his cause, and will say to the world, ' In despising them you despised me ; and; inasmuch as you did it to one' of these little ones, . you did it unto me.' As Dr. Stoughton saith, If you strike a schismatic, and God find a saint lie a-bleeding, and you . to answer it, I would . not 'be in your coat for more than you got by it' Hath the world ever gained by resisting Christ? Doth it make the crown sit faster on.the heads of kings? Or, must they not rather do to Christ as King John to his supposed vicar,resign their crowns to him, and take them from him again as his:tributaries; before they can hold them by a certain tenure? Read over but this,psalm, and judge: " Herod must kill the child Jesus tó secure his crown : the Jews 'must kill him lest the Romans should come and take away their place and nation ;" John xi. 48. And did this means secure them ;. or did it bring upon them the destruction which they thought to avoid? Or have the people: been greater gainers by this than by their kings ? - What hath England got by resisting his gospel,and gov- ernment, by hating his servants and by scorning his holy ways? i What have you' got by it in this. city? What say you.? Have you yet done with your enmityand resistance? Have you enough ; M. would you yethave more? If you have not done with Christ, he bath not done with you ; you may try again, and follow on as far as Pharaoh if youwill, but if you be not losers in the latter end, I have lost my judgment ; and if you return- in peace, God bath not spoken by me ; '1 Kings xxii.'28. Sirs, I am loath to leave you till the bargain be made. What sap you? Do you heartily 'consent that Christ shall be your Sovereign, his word your law, his people your companions, his
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=