Chap.39. about Confi'ffion. Objet. Again 3T this force objea the example ofNaaman, 2 Kin.s;'S,r9where they infer, that the Prophetgave Naaman leave to worfhip inan Idol-Temple ? Anfw. Firfl,Sornc anfwer that Naaman fpeaks only ofctvtl,andPolitick worfhip: For his Office was to kneel down that the King might lean on his fhoulder : and Naaman makes open proteflation, ver. 7. that he will worfhip no God but the Godof Ifrael. Secondly, Others anfwer better, that Naaman acknowledgeth it a fin to go the I,, houfe of mmen, and therefore craves pardon for it twice, verfe t8. and withall, vows that thenceforth he would offer facrificeto no God, fave only to the Lord. Thirdly, Naaman intreats the Prophet to pray for him, that he might be con- fiant in the ferviceof the true God : and that in cafe, through humane frailty , he fhould,againfl his purpofe,be drawnto ir,that the Lord in mercy would pardon his offence. Objet. But if I doe not go to 'leafs, I (hall give offence to the Pa- písts ? Anfw. Weare todoe our duty, though men be never fo muchoffended,Àf t. t 5.14. Again,we ought not to do evil, that goodmaycome of it. uef}. Whether may a Wan, efpeciallyaMrnifler,withagoodcenfciencefly inI perfecution ? Anfw, Sometimes it is lawfull, though notalwayes : For Firfi, Chrifl commands it, Matth. to. i s. neither was this commandever re- pealed. Secondly, We have many examplesfor it in Scripture, of Tacob, Gen. 27. and 3i. ofMofes,Exod 2. 15. Heb. t t. 27. of the Prophets hidden by Obadiah, I Kin. IS. 13. of Elijah, t Kin, 19. 3. of Chrift himfelf, fah. to. 39. of Paul, A&.9. 25. 29,30. Obje&. Perfecution is good, and therefore it may not be efchewed ? Anfw. Firfl;,, Some things are fimply goodofthemfelves , asvenues, and all Moranduties, and thefe may not be efchewed. Others are good only in force refpedis, as things indifferent which are neither commanded, nor forbidden , and thefe may be efchewed except we knowthey aregood for us. Now perfecuti- on being good onlybyaccident, wemay avoid it, becaufeno man can fay, whe- ther it be good, or badfor him. Objet. Pe fecution is Pent of God for the triall, and good of his Church ? Anfw. Firfi, Evill things fent ofGod, may be avoided, if he Phew us a way, or meansto efcape them. Secondly,. There is a two fold will ofGod , his revealed will , and his fecret will : By the formerhe hath appointed, that incafe of prefent danger, when a a door is open, wemay efcape. As for his fecret will, becaufe its unknown, and therefore uncertain to us, we may notrafhly pmfume theteof, but rather ufe the Meansotfcrèd, till God reveale thecontrary. Objet. To f is inperfecution is a kind of denial[ ofChrifl, and againfl cosofef fon ? Chriflian confeffion is two-fold : firfi, Open. Secondly, impli cite.' a. Open confeflioniswhena man boldly confeffethhis faith before the adver- faryeven untodeath : as the Martyrsdid. .4. ;Implicit; which though it be inferionr to the former, yet itsa true confef- rios , and acceptable untot God : and thisus twhen aman tokeep his religion, is content CO forfaite his Country, friends; and godds. Objet. ButChrifl bids ru not to fear them that can but kill the body, therefore wemay not Elie? Mat.to.28.' Änfw. Fail, This forbids notall feare, but fuck a fear as tends to Appoflacy, Ddda cattfn , IT,
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