that_o which_o be_v behind_o of_o the_o affliction_n of_o christ_n in_o my_o flesh_n for_o his_o body_n sake_n which_o be_v the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v behind_o of_o the_o affliction_n of_o christ_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n behind_o of_o christ_n suffering_n have_v he_o not_o suffer_v and_o enter_v into_o his_o glory_n where_o he_o be_v impassable_a live_v with_o and_o unto_o god_n where_o he_o can_v suffer_v and_o die_v no_o more_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o a_o double_a notion_n either_o as_o expiatory_a or_o exemplary_a if_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o expiatory_a there_o be_v nothing_o of_o they_o behind_o nothing_o of_o they_o to_o be_v fill_v up_o he_o say_v upon_o the_o cross_n all_o be_v finish_v and_o he_o tread_v the_o wine-press_n of_o his_o father_n wrath_n alone_o there_o be_v none_o of_o the_o people_n with_o he_o but_o if_o you_o consider_v they_o as_o they_o be_v exemplary_a as_o he_o suffer_v set_v we_o a_o example_n so_o there_o be_v much_o of_o the_o affliction_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v fill_v up_o and_o they_o be_v to_o be_v fill_v up_o in_o the_o body_n of_o his_o saint_n or_o else_o thus_o christ_n be_v take_v personal_o or_o mystical_o christ_n mystical_o be_v the_o church_n he_o the_o head_n believer_n member_n both_o make_v but_o one_o body_n and_o that_o his_o body_n which_o be_v the_o church_n now_o of_o christ_n take_v in_o this_o sense_n much_o of_o his_o affliction_n be_v to_o be_v fill_v up_o and_o christian_n suffer_v in_o conformity_n to_o christ_n be_v a_o testimony_n to_o they_o that_o they_o be_v member_n of_o a_o afflict_a christ_n yea_o and_o also_o that_o they_o be_v member_n of_o that_o body_n of_o which_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n for_o in_o all_o age_n it_o have_v be_v the_o lot_n of_o those_o who_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n to_o suffer_v persecution_n 3._o it_o turn_v unto_o a_o testimony_n to_o they_o both_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o of_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o faith_n the_o apostle_n describe_v faith_n heb._n 11.1_o call_v it_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v the_o substance_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o for_o say_v the_o apostle_n what_o a_o man_n see_v why_o do_v he_o yet_o hope_v for_o many_o talk_n of_o faith_n few_o understand_v it_o the_o work_n of_o faith_n lie_v in_o a_o be_v persuade_v of_o god_n and_o depend_v upon_o god_n for_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o see_v now_o it_o be_v the_o want_n of_o this_o faith_n which_o make_v man_n shrink_v in_o a_o day_n of_o trial._n the_o apostle_n heb._n 10.34_o ch_n 11.13_o 14_o 16._o conclude_v from_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n of_o who_o he_o there_o speak_v take_v joyful_o the_o spoil_n of_o their_o good_n that_o they_o know_v in_o themselves_o that_o they_o have_v in_o heaven_n a_o better_a and_o a_o endure_a substance_n and_o from_o their_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n upon_o the_o earth_n that_o they_o plain_o declare_v that_o they_o seek_v a_o country_n and_o desire_v a_o better_a country_n that_o be_v a_o heavenly_a man_n unwillingness_n to_o suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o shall_v be_v make_v up_o with_o so_o great_a advantage_n speak_v they_o at_o least_o weak_a in_o faith_n and_o but_o faint_o persuade_v of_o that_o better_a state_n and_o that_o they_o find_v a_o difficulty_n to_o depend_v upon_o god_n word_n for_o it_o but_o when_o man_n can_v free_o for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n leave_v their_o country_n and_o go_v into_o banishment_n part_n with_o their_o estate_n and_o be_v content_a to_o be_v strip_v of_o all_o they_o have_v part_n with_o their_o liberty_n and_o be_v content_a with_o a_o prison_n part_n with_o their_o life_n and_o bid_v death_n even_o a_o violent_a and_o most_o ignominious_a death_n welcome_o it_o argue_v that_o they_o both_o true_o and_o strong_o believe_v what_o god_n have_v reveal_v concern_v a_o better_a country_n a_o more_o endure_a substance_n the_o glorious_a liberty_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n a_o life_n everlasting_a and_o full_a of_o glory_n and_o not_o only_o that_o they_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o they_o depend_v and_o rely_v upon_o god_n and_o by_o hope_n patient_o wait_v upon_o god_n for_o the_o bestow_n these_o thing_n upon_o they_o and_o make_v they_o their_o portion_n now_o what_o will_v not_o many_o a_o good_a christian_a give_v for_o a_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o his_o faith_n how_o many_o doubt_n how_o many_o fear_n have_v he_o oft_o time_n about_o it_o a_o ability_n to_o suffer_v for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n mighty_o tend_v to_o their_o confirmation_n the_o apostle_n therefore_o put_v they_o together_o phil._n 1.29_o unto_o you_o it_o be_v give_v on_o the_o behalf_n of_o christ_n not_o only_o to_o believe_v on_o he_o but_o also_o to_o suffer_v for_o his_o sake_n suffer_v a_o freedom_n to_o suffer_v be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o our_o faith_n both_o to_o ourselves_o and_o also_o to_o other_o 4._o it_o will_v be_v a_o testimony_n to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n of_o their_o love_n to_o he_o true_a faith_n work_v by_o love_n love_n to_o another_o be_v discern_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o suffer_v for_o they_o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o height_n of_o love_n it_o speak_v a_o soul_n to_o have_v discern_v a_o great_a excellency_n in_o christ_n and_o in_o heart_n to_o cleave_v to_o he_o that_o rather_o than_o part_v with_o he_o will_v suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o any_o thing_n upon_o this_o account_n among_o the_o heathen_n be_v celebrate_v the_o love_n of_o pylades_n and_o orestes_n theseus_n and_o pirithous_n etc._n etc._n but_o see_v it_o in_o paul_n phil._n 3.8_o yea_o doubtless_o and_o i_o account_v all_o thing_n but_o loss_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n my_o lord_n for_o who_o i_o have_v suffer_v the_o loss_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o do_v count_v they_o but_o dung_n that_o i_o may_v win_v christ_n the_o soul_n that_o may_v have_v have_v its_o doubt_n and_o fear_n whether_o it_o love_v christ_n or_o no_o measure_v its_o affection_n to_o this_o spiritual_a invisible_a object_n by_o the_o motion_n of_o its_o affection_n to_o object_n more_o sensible_a which_o indeed_o be_v not_o a_o true_a and_o just_a measure_n can_v doubt_v no_o long_o when_o once_o the_o lord_n have_v enable_v the_o soul_n to_o suffer_v for_o his_o name_n sake_n it_o speak_v a_o soul_n to_o love_n christ_n more_o than_o all_o sensible_a thing_n when_o to_o serve_v and_o enjoy_v he_o it_o have_v free_o part_v with_o whatever_o it_o have_v of_o sensible_a enjoyment_n and_o satisfaction_n nothing_o speak_v love_n like_o a_o deep_a suffering_n for_o the_o object_n belove_v gen._n 22.12_o now_o say_v god_n to_o abraham_n i_o know_v that_o thou_o fear_v god_n see_v thou_o have_v not_o withhold_v thy_o son_n thy_o only_a son_n from_o i_o that_o term_n of_o fear_n and_o fear_v god_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v often_o a_o large_a sense_n than_o as_o signify_v that_o passion_n which_o we_o call_v fear_n god_n then_o know_v that_o a_o soul_n love_v he_o and_o the_o soul_n itself_o may_v know_v that_o it_o love_v god_n when_o it_o can_v ready_o and_o cheerful_o suffer_v for_o his_o name_n sake_n 5._o last_o it_o will_v be_v to_o a_o soul_n not_o only_o a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n and_o love_n and_o patience_n and_o perseverance_n and_o constancy_n steadiness_n and_o unmoveableness_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o it_o will_v be_v also_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o soul_n zeal_n for_o god_n zeal_n be_v rather_o the_o intention_n of_o all_o the_o affection_n than_o a_o particular_a affection_n of_o itself_o a_o small_a degree_n of_o love_n will_v not_o carry_v a_o soul_n through_o suffering_n that_o love_n must_v be_v at_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o warmth_n which_o shall_v carry_v a_o soul_n through_o great_a difficulty_n great_a trial_n great_a loss_n 6._o to_o these_o i_o may_v add_v one_o thing_n more_o suffer_v for_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o testimony_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n with_o the_o soul_n the_o three_o child_n endure_a the_o fiery_a furnace_n be_v a_o testimony_n of_o a_o four_o person_n be_v with_o they_o dan._n 3.15_o daniel_n be_v in_o the_o den_n of_o lion_n and_o endure_v that_o danger_n turn_v to_o he_o for_o a_o testimony_n of_o god_n special_a presence_n with_o he_o and_o send_v his_o angel_n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o the_o lion_n paul_n courageous_a suffering_n be_v a_o testimony_n to_o he_o that_o the_o lord_n stand_v by_o he_o and_o strengthen_v he_o 2_o tim._n 4.17_o a_o christian_a need_n desire_v no_o more_o than_o a_o
but_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o equal_a import_n the_o nature_n of_o proposition_n do_v very_o much_o differ_v 1._o according_a to_o what_o do_v depend_v upon_o they_o 2._o according_a to_o the_o evidence_n that_o they_o have_v in_o scripture_n 1._o according_a to_o what_o depend_v upon_o they_o some_o proposition_n of_o truth_n be_v the_o foundation_n look_v as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o house_n take_v it_o away_o and_o the_o whole_a building_n tumble_v to_o the_o ground_n so_o there_o be_v some_o proposition_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o gospel_n truth_n lie_v upon_o they_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o truth_n be_v build_v upon_o they_o here_o now_o the_o obligation_n of_o our_o testimony_n lie_v high_a and_o rise_v high_a and_o further_o but_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n that_o we_o be_v not_o debtor_n unto_o 2._o according_a to_o the_o evidence_n that_o they_o have_v in_o the_o gospel_n there_o be_v different_a apprehension_n concern_v truth_n for_o although_o the_o gospel_n have_v reveal_v all_o truth_n yet_o not_o all_o with_o the_o same_o evidence_n so_o that_o christian_n have_v differ_v concern_v truth_n and_o every_o man_n as_o he_o believe_v so_o he_o ought_v to_o speak_v so_o he_o ought_v to_o live_v but_o the_o apprehension_n that_o some_o man_n have_v have_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v a_o testimony_n to_o every_o proposition_n of_o truth_n which_o they_o do_v in_o heart_n embrace_v have_v beget_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o stir_n the_o apostle_n give_v another_o rule_n when_o he_o say_v have_v thou_o faith_n have_v it_o to_o thyself_o before_o god_n there_o be_v some_o proposition_n of_o which_o a_o christian_a may_v have_v a_o particular_a persuasion_n and_o of_o which_o he_o may_v be_v very_o confident_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o but_o yet_o they_o will_v not_o bear_v the_o weight_n of_o a_o testimony_n to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n now_o a_o good_a christian_n ought_v to_o regulate_v his_o testimony_n according_o qu._n 2._o what_o kind_n of_o testimony_n be_v that_o which_o a_o good_a christian_n be_v bind_v to_o give_v unto_o the_o lord_n i_o will_v open_v this_o to_o you_o in_o seven_o or_o eight_o particular_n 1._o he_o ought_v to_o give_v a_o know_v believe_a testimony_n there_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n and_o a_o testimony_n of_o faction_n that_o man_n give_v a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n that_o do_v in_o his_o heart_n believe_v what_o he_o with_o his_o mouth_n confess_v and_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v as_o he_o believe_v so_o he_o speak_v so_o in_o this_o case_n a_o christian_a must_v speak_v as_o he_o believe_v and_o when_o he_o speak_v and_o ow_v and_o defend_v a_o truth_n because_o he_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o eternal_a truth_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n but_o then_o there_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o faction_n when_o a_o man_n run_v with_o a_o multitude_n to_o attest_v a_o truth_n and_o cry_v for_o it_o but_o understand_v not_o and_o believe_v not_o what_o he_o profess_v i_o will_v have_v every_o christian_a not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n but_o i_o will_v have_v he_o be_v sure_a that_o it_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n that_o he_o give_v not_o a_o testimony_n of_o faction_n for_o a_o man_n to_o give_v a_o testimony_n to_o truth_n if_o it_o be_v in_o faction_n it_o be_v abomination_n to_o god_n whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n the_o word_n not_o mingle_v with_o faith_n profit_v not_o and_o a_o testimony_n not_o give_v in_o faith_n signify_v nothing_o oh_o christian_n beware_v of_o this_o that_o none_o of_o you_o in_o this_o day_n be_v factious_a professor_n be_v not_o ashamed_a of_o the_o testimony_n of_o your_o lord_n but_o first_o see_v that_o you_o understand_v it_o see_v that_o yourselves_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o good_a testimony_n a_o man_n or_o woman_n will_v have_v very_o little_a peace_n or_o comfort_n in_o give_v a_o testimony_n to_o that_o which_o either_o he_o know_v not_o or_o in_o heart_n believe_v not_o when_o a_o man_n believe_v and_o therefore_o speak_v he_o speak_v that_o with_o his_o lip_n which_o his_o soul_n have_v first_o examine_v and_o he_o see_v bottom_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o heart_n agree_v and_o assent_v to_o this_o be_v his_o testimony_n take_v this_o note_n with_o you_o in_o every_o testimony_n let_v it_o be_v vocal_a or_o real_a let_v it_o be_v a_o testimony_n of_o faith_n not_o a_o testimony_n of_o faction_n and_o a_o mere_a run_v along_o with_o a_o cry_n like_o the_o rout_n of_o ephesus_n when_o act_n 19.32_o some_o cry_v one_o thing_n some_o another_o for_o the_o assembly_n be_v confuse_v and_o the_o more_o part_n know_v not_o wherefore_o they_o be_v come_v together_o 2._o it_o must_v be_v a_o love_a testimony_n or_o it_o be_v not_o accept_v faith_n and_o love_n mâ—st_v be_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o those_o action_n that_o do_v or_o can_v speak_v any_o obedience_n unto_o the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o a_o man_n receive_v the_o truth_n and_o not_o in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o it_o be_v of_o no_o effect_n as_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n so_o whatsoever_o be_v do_v and_o not_o out_o of_o love_n be_v not_o accept_v of_o god_n love_n be_v that_o which_o give_v the_o sweet_a savour_n to_o all_o our_o do_n and_o to_o all_o our_o suffering_n for_o god_n if_o say_v the_o apostle_n i_o give_v all_o my_o good_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o my_o body_n to_o be_v burn_v if_o i_o have_v not_o love_n it_o be_v all_o nothing_o let_v a_o man_n give_v never_o so_o great_a a_o testimony_n to_o christ_n if_o he_o do_v not_o this_o out_o of_o love_n it_o be_v out_o of_o some_o evil_a principle_n of_o contradiction_n or_o faction_n or_o some_o stubbornness_n of_o spirit_n and_o god_n accept_v it_o not_o it_o be_v not_o a_o christian_n say_v i_o be_o for_o the_o true_a doctrine_n i_o be_o for_o pure_a worship_n and_o i_o be_o for_o the_o kingly_a government_n of_o christ_n but_o his_o do_v this_o out_o of_o a_o true_a pleasure_n and_o delight_n in_o these_o thing_n out_o of_o a_o true_a love_n to_o god_n and_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v another_o thing_n that_o i_o fear_v in_o a_o crowd_n that_o give_v testimony_n in_o a_o evil_a time_n as_o that_o some_o testify_v they_o know_v not_o what_o so_o that_o other_o testify_v rather_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o contradiction_n or_o fullenness_n than_o out_o of_o a_o true_a principle_n of_o love_n to_o ordinance_n and_o truth_n hence_o you_o shall_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o a_o serene_a and_o fair_a time_n there_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o professor_n that_o be_v like_o swallow_n that_o will_v stay_v with_o the_o gospel_n in_o its_o summer_n time_n so_o you_o shall_v observe_v there_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o other_o that_o in_o a_o time_n of_o opposition_n especial_o when_o the_o persecution_n reach_v not_o high_a busy_a to_o give_v their_o testimony_n to_o truth_n which_o when_o they_o may_v embrace_v free_o they_o never_o regard_v and_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o you_o have_v a_o example_n of_o both_o these_o at_o home_n on_o the_o one_o side_n we_o have_v a_o company_n of_o professor_n that_o have_v now_o forsake_v we_o and_o flee_v and_o embrace_v this_o present_a world_n in_o a_o time_n of_o temptation_n they_o be_v go_v away_o and_o you_o shall_v observe_v a_o multitude_n of_o other_o that_o cry_v out_o late_o for_o sacrament_n and_o against_o rob_v christian_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o supper_n the_o great_a pledge_n of_o christ_n love_n now_o that_o none_o hinder_v their_o come_n to_o they_o they_o regard_v not_o the_o sacrament_n both_o these_o be_v sick_a of_o the_o same_o disease_n they_o give_v or_o think_v they_o give_v some_o testimony_n to_o their_o lord_n but_o their_o testimony_n be_v equal_o acceptable_a to_o god_n neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o be_v out_o of_o a_o love_n in_o their_o heart_n to_o christ_n and_o to_o his_o truth_n and_o ordinance_n but_o mere_o out_o of_o faction_n and_o turbulence_n of_o spirit_n or_o for_o some_o base_a worldly_a end_n i_o will_v have_v you_o own_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n i_o will_v have_v you_o fear_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o as_o you_o will_v fear_v that_o christ_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o you_o at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n i_o will_v have_v you_o confess_v he_o as_o you_o will_v have_v he_o to_o confess_v you_o as_o you_o will_v expect_v he_o shall_v confess_v you_o but_o be_v sure_a you_o give_v your_o testimony_n out_o of_o love_n as_o what_o you_o know_v and_o in_o heart_n true_o believe_v
4._o the_o command_n of_o the_o superior_a do_v not_o excuse_v the_o inferior_a agent_n from_o the_o guilt_n of_o persecution_n nor_o yet_o deprive_v the_o sufferer_n from_o the_o blessing_n of_o he_o that_o be_v persecute_v if_o a_o person_n be_v pursue_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n sake_n for_o do_v that_o which_o god_n oblige_v he_o to_o do_v the_o persecution_n be_v as_o well_o persecution_n in_o the_o inferior_a agent_n as_o in_o the_o first_o cause_n and_o the_o more_o superior_a agent_n the_o jew_n accuse_v the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n they_o bring_v he_o before_o pilate_n pilate_n condemn_v he_o the_o jew_n nail_v he_o to_o the_o cross_n do_v not_o they_o who_o nail_v he_o to_o the_o cross_n persecute_v he_o paul_n be_v but_o a_o inferior_a agent_n against_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 9_o act._n 9_o the_o letter_n be_v from_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o chief_a priest_n of_o damascus_n the_o guilt_n lie_v in_o the_o act_n in_o the_o inflict_a of_o punishment_n upon_o such_o as_o ought_v to_o be_v real_o free_v from_o punishment_n it_o be_v true_a he_o that_o command_v he_o that_o counsel_v and_o advise_v be_v not_o excuse_v but_o much_o less_o the_o next_o immediate_a actor_n and_o this_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n do_v not_o the_o law_n of_o man_n thus_o deal_v with_o offender_n nay_o when_o it_o excuse_v the_o principal_a agent_n it_o think_v it_o justice_n to_o punish_v severe_o the_o inferior_a minister_n for_o be_v there_o no_o minister_n in_o wickedness_n superior_n can_v do_v no_o hurt_n and_o therefore_o if_o any_o be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o think_v they_o be_v excuse_v because_o they_o be_v but_o minister_n and_o do_v but_o execute_v the_o will_n or_o sentence_n of_o other_o they_o be_v mistake_v paul_n hold_v the_o clothes_n when_o stephen_n be_v stone_v bring_v he_o into_o the_o guilt_n of_o his_o death_n 5._o they_o be_v not_o only_o persecute_v who_o resist_v sin_n unto_o blood_n and_o choose_v death_n rather_o than_o sin_n but_o they_o who_o be_v revile_v and_o reproach_v our_o saviour_n you_o see_v put_v all_o together_o bless_v be_v you_o when_o you_o be_v revile_v and_o persecute_v and_o when_o they_o shall_v speak_v all_o manner_n of_o evil_n of_o you_o for_o my_o name_n sake_n gal._n 4.29_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n if_o you_o look_v into_o the_o story_n of_o isaac_n and_o ishmael_n it_o be_v say_v ishmael_n mock_v he_o thus_o paul_n complain_v rom._n 8.39_o for_o thy_o sake_n we_o be_v kill_v all_o the_o day_n long_o all_o kind_n of_o suffer_v to_o avoid_v sin_n be_v persecution_n and_o those_o that_o make_v they_o to_o suffer_v be_v persecutor_n those_o that_o be_v sufferer_n be_v so_o persecute_v it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v degree_n both_o of_o this_o and_o of_o other_o sin_n but_o he_o that_o smite_v with_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o tongue_n persecute_v as_o well_o as_o he_o that_o smite_v with_o a_o sword_n that_o be_v make_v of_o iron_n and_o he_o who_o be_v so_o smite_v be_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n persecute_v as_o well_o as_o he_o who_o life_n be_v take_v from_o he_o now_o i_o say_v this_o have_v be_v the_o lot_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n of_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n to_o suffer_v persecution_n to_o be_v pursue_v by_o wicked_a and_o malicious_a man_n both_o with_o their_o tongue_n revile_v they_o and_o with_o their_o hand_n endeavour_v to_o do_v they_o mischief_n either_o spoil_v they_o of_o their_o good_n or_o deprive_v they_o of_o their_o life_n and_o that_o because_o they_o will_v not_o sin_v against_o god_n 2._o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n how_o this_o do_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o portion_n of_o the_o people_n of_o god_n it_o appear_v by_o the_o whole_a story_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o also_o all_o ecclesiastical_a story_n take_v adam_n family_n immediate_o after_o the_o fall_n abel_n be_v persecute_v by_o cain_n indeed_o he_o do_v not_o suffer_v because_o he_o will_v not_o sin_v but_o because_o he_o be_v more_o righteous_a and_o have_v offer_v up_o a_o better_a sacrifice_n consider_v abraham_n family_n of_o that_o the_o apostle_n speak_v gal._n 4.29_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n persecute_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n act_n 7.52_o which_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v not_o your_o father_n persecute_v but_o if_o you_o come_v unto_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o consider_v the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o that_o state_n you_o shall_v find_v it_o be_v persecute_v at_o all_o hand_n first_o by_o the_o jew_n then_o by_o the_o heathen_n then_o by_o false_a and_o pretend_a christian_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o example_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o example_n of_o stephen_n the_o proto-martyr_n and_o of_o christian_n ever_o since_o first_o by_o the_o jew_n of_o which_o you_o read_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n then_o by_o the_o heathen_n which_o persecution_n last_v 300_o hundred_o year_n till_o constantine_n the_o great_a then_o by_o false_a christian_n the_o papist_n and_o other_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o flesh_n always_o persecute_v they_o who_o be_v bear_v after_o the_o spirit_n it_o may_v therefore_o be_v worth_a the_o while_n rather_o to_o fathom_v the_o bottom_n of_o this_o to_o understand_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o people_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v the_o mark_n and_o but_o of_o the_o world_n envy_n reas_n 1._o the_o original_a cause_n must_v be_v fetch_v from_o that_o text_n gen._n 3.15_o where_o god_n say_v i_o will_v put_v enmity_n betwixt_o thou_o and_o the_o woman_n and_o between_o thy_o seed_n and_o her_o seed_n that_o text_n give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o threefold_a antipathy_n or_o enmity_n which_o you_o find_v in_o the_o world_n 1._o you_o see_v there_o be_v a_o natural_a antipathy_n between_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o a_o serpent_n though_o we_o have_v little_a experience_n of_o it_o in_o england_n in_o egypt_n and_o africa_n they_o be_v mortal_a enemy_n unto_o man_n and_o though_o we_o have_v no_o such_o exceed_o mischievous_a serpent_n yet_o we_o see_v man_n general_o averse_a to_o they_o and_o shun_v they_o and_o seek_v to_o destroy_v they_o 2._o there_o be_v a_o antipathy_n betwixt_o the_o devil_n and_o we_o you_o see_v by_o daily_a experience_n that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o destroyer_n though_o man_n serve_v he_o yet_o he_o destroy_v they_o witch_n be_v the_o worst_a of_o people_n they_o be_v his_o slave_n he_o be_v their_o ruin_n and_o destroyer_n at_o last_o and_o for_o the_o people_n of_o god_n he_o be_v continual_o molest_v they_o here_o be_v the_o reason_n 3._o there_o be_v a_o antipathy_n betwixt_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o serpent_n who_o be_v the_o woman_n seed_n but_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o wicked_a man_n you_o be_v of_o your_o father_n the_o devil_n say_v christ_n john_n 8.44_o for_o his_o work_n you_o do_v but_o although_o this_o be_v the_o first_o and_o more_o remote_a cause_n yet_o there_o be_v other_o proximate_n and_o immediate_a cause_n and_o some_o of_o they_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o 2._o the_o next_o cause_n be_v that_o innate_a hatred_n of_o god_n and_o the_o image_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o every_o man_n since_o the_o fall_n rom._n 1.30_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o heathen_a that_o they_o be_v backbiter_n hater_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o fruit_n of_o the_o fall_n when_o man_n lose_v the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o which_o he_o be_v create_v no_o man_n have_v a_o natural_a love_n for_o god_n or_o for_o the_o image_n of_o god_n as_o they_o say_v of_o the_o basilisk_n that_o it_o have_v such_o a_o hatred_n to_o a_o man_n that_o it_o will_v fly_v upon_o the_o picture_n of_o a_o man_n so_o it_o be_v true_a that_o every_o man_n and_o woman_n by_o nature_n be_v basilisk_n they_o fly_v upon_o god_n and_o the_o image_n of_o god_n where_o ever_o they_o see_v it_o now_o persecution_n be_v but_o the_o daughter_n of_o hatred_n and_o though_o every_o one_o have_v not_o the_o like_a rough_a and_o harsh_a nature_n so_o that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o furious_a as_o some_o man_n be_v yet_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o no_o man_n natural_o love_v yea_o every_o man_n natural_o hate_v god_n and_o the_o image_n of_o god_n hence_o the_o more_o any_o one_o have_v of_o the_o image_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o soul_n the_o more_o he_o be_v the_o object_n of_o hatred_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o hatred_n lie_v in_o