3 76 Doing good, afecurity Vol. II. they make about them; and will contend as earneftly for a doubtful, and it may be for a falfe opinion, as for the Articles of the Creed, and for thefaith which was once deliverd to the faints; and will oppofe a little Ceremonywith as much heat as the greateft Immorality. In thefe cafes, it is not Mens goodnefs which raifeth enmity against them, but their imprudent zeal and other infirmities which attend it: But however, bad Men are glad to lay hold of thefe occafions and pretences of enmity, which their indifcretion offers. Good Men may be, and frequently are miftaken in their opinions and apprehenfions of things, but it is a great miftake to have an equal zeal for little and doubtful things, as for the great and indifpenfible Duties of the Chriftian life, and yet many times fo as to negleft thofe to a great degree and Men tnuft blame themfelves for the inconveniencies that happen to them for their own indifcretion ; for neither will the nature of the thing bear them out alike, nor will the Providence of God be equally concerned to proteft Men in the following of that, which they through grofs miftake, and a heady con- ceit of their own knowledgein Religion, think to be good, as in the followingof that which is really and unqueftionablygood. III. 'The enmity of force Men againft goodnefs is foviolent and implacable, that no innocency, no excellency of goodnefs, how great foever, can reftrain their malice towards good Men, or hinder the effefts of it, when it comes in their way, and they have power to do them mifchief. Againft thefe the Providence of God is our beft fafe-guard, and it is Wifdom, as much as is poffìble; to keep out of their way, and to pray with Sr. Paul, that we may be delivered from wicked and onreafonable Men. Men of fo abfurd a malice agamft goodnefs, that it is not to be prevented by any innocency or prudence ; and fo implacable, that there is no wayto gain and reconcile them, nor perhaps is it much deferable : their good word would be no credit to us, and their friendfhip would be pernicious when it cannot be had upon other terms, than of conniving at their faults, and being concerned in their quarrels, and at laft quarrelling and breaking with them, unlefs we will run with them to the fame excels of riot. The friendfhip of fuch Men is more terrible than their enmity, and their malice much lefs to be dreaded than their kindnefs. IV. The laft and chief exception is that of the Crofs, when the Sufferings and Perfeçutions ofgood Men are neceffary for the great ends of God's Glory, for the advancement of Religion, and the Example. and Salvation of others. And with this exception all the declarations of Scripture concerning the temporal profperity and fafety ofgood Men, and all the Promifes of the New Teftament are tobe tin- derftood. And this exception our Saviour himfelf exprefly makes, Mark Io. 2g, 30. Verily C fay untoyou, There is no man that bath left boufe, or brethren, or f ers, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my fake and the Go- fpels, but be 'hall receive an hundredfold now in this time, boufes, and brethren, and .frfiers, and mothers, and children, and lands, with perfecution; and in the world to come eternal life; that is, fo far as a Efate of Perfecution would admit, all thefe loffes fhould be recompenced to them in this prefent time; as they were to the Apoftles in a remarkable manner: when they who had but little to part with for the Gofpel, had the Eftates of Chriftians laid at their feet and committed, to their difpofal, for the nobleft purpofes ofCharity, and common fupport of Chri- ftians, which was as much to them, as if they had been Mailers of the greateft Effares; and whatever was wanting to any of them in the accomplifhment of this promife, was abundantly made up to them in the unfpeakable and eternal Happi- fiefs of the World to come. And this exception the Apoftle St. Peter is careful to mention exprefly,, immediately after the Text; for after he had faid, Who is be that will harmyou ifye be followers of that which is good? he immediately adds, But, and ifye fuffer fbr righteoufnefsfake, happy areye ; and be not afraid oftbeir terror, neither be troubled, but fantlifie the LordGod inyour hearts; that is, in this cafe, fear God more than Men, and be ready always to give an anfwer to every man, that afketh you a reafon of the hope that is inyou; that is, if ye be queflio- ned for beingChriftians, be ready to own your profeflion, and to give a reafon of 5
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