his friends in this sense, hecanse that wliich wonki seem to stop his course, and to ohscnre his glory, doth advance it so much the more : Phil. i. 12, ' The things wliich happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.' The gospel was not ex- tinguished by Paul's imprisonment, but propagated. I say, Paul's sufferings were as necessary as Paul's preacliing, that the truth might gain, and that it might be known and heard of. God overrules all these actions for his glory, and for the benefit of his church.
Use 1. First, if we be not in this condition, let as look for it and prepare for it. Religion is a stranger in the world, and therefore it is often ill-treated ; we have a stable happiness elsewhere, and here we must expect changes. All the comforts and hopes of the scriptures is suited to such a condition ; a great part of the Bible would be need- less, and would be but as bladders given to a man who stands upon dry land, and never means to go into the waters ; the comforts and provisions God hath made for us in the word would be useless, it' such things did not befall us. Wliy hath God laid in so many sup- ports, if we think never to be put to distress and troubles ? Oh ! then, think of these things beforehand, and make them familiar to you. ' The evil which I feared is come upon me,' saith Job. When the back is fitted, the burden will not be so dreadful. Think of these things beforehand, that you may provide and prepare for them. Now, that you may not be strange at such kind of providences, consider four things : —
1. The world will be the world still. There is a natural enmity between the two seeds, which will never be wholly laid aside, between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen. iii. 15 ; as natural an enmity as between the wolf and the lamb, the raven and the dove : 1 John iii. 12, ' Cain was of that wicked one, and slew his brother ; and wherefore slew he him ? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.' Separation and estrangement in course of life is a provoking thing. Men that live in any sinful course are loath any should part company with them, that there might be none to make them ashamed; therefore when thsy draw from their sins, and do not run with them into the same excess of riot, they think it strange ; 3'Our life is a reproof to them : John vii. 7, ' The world hateth mo, because I testified of it that the works thereof are evil ; ' and Heb. xi. 7, ' Noah condemned the world ; being moved with fear, prepared an ark.' Strictness is an object reviving guilt. Every wicked man loves another — Velut factorem, adjutorem et excusatorem siii crijninis, as one that favours his actions, and helps to excuse his actions. One wicked man doth not put another to the blush. It is no shame to be black in the country of the negroes. But when there is a distinction, some walk with God humbly and closely, certainly j'our life is a reproach to others that do not so, therefbi-e they will hate you.
2. This enmity hath ever been working : the prophets and holy men of God have had experience of it. Abel was slain by Cain, Gen. iv. 18 ; Isaac scoffed at by Ishmael, Gen. xxi. 11 ; which example the apostle allegeth. Gal. iv. 29, ' He that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit.' So it was then, so it is now, and so it will ever be to the world's end. Ever it hath been
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the lot of Grod's children to suffer hard things from the men of this world, though they are related to them in the nearest bonds of kindred and acquaintance. Jacob, because of the blessing and birthright, was pursued to deatli by Esau, and driven out of his father's house, Gren. xxvii. ; Moses driven out of Egypt by his unkind brethren, Acts vii. 25- 27 ; David hunted up and down like a partridge upon the mountains ; Jezebel sought Elijah's life ; Micaiah thrown into 2)rison, and hardly used ; Elisha pursued by Jehoram for his head. Instances are end- less of this kind ; ever there hath been an enmity, and ever will be.
3. Persecutions are more, greater, and longer in the New Testament than in the Old. Why ? Partly because the Old Testament church was under tutors and governors. Gal. iv. 1, 2 ; neither for light of knowledge, nor ardour of zeal to be compared with the New Testa- ment church, when 'the kingdom of heaven suffers violence,^ ]Mat. xi. 11. Look, as Christ spared his disciples until they were fit for greater troubles, till fit for the new wine, Mat. ix, 17, so God spared that church. The church then had troubles, but for the most part they were not for religion, but for defection from God, for their sins. And partly, too, because the church of the Old Testament was not so dis- persed, but confined within the narrow bounds of one province or country, not mixed with the profane idolatrous nations, nor exjiosed to their hatred, contradiction, and rage ; but of Christians, the apostle tells us, this sect is everywhere spoken against. And partly because Satan then had quiet reign over the blind world for a long time ; but now, when Christ comes to dispossess him, to turn out the strong man — the goods were in peace before, and now he hath but a short time — he hath great wrath. Rev. xii. 11. When Christ came to seize upon the world, it was quick and hot work, his force and violence was greater. Again temporal promises were more in the eye of the covenant, where all things were wrapped up in types and figures ; when prosperity signi- fied happiness, and long life signified eternity, there were not such exercises and trials then. But now, ' All those that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution,' 2 Tim. iii. 12. But since Christ hath set up his church, and brought light and immortality to the world, now troubles are greater.