CHAPTER IL
Opposition made unto the Church as Built upon the Person of Christ.
There are in the words of our Saviour unto Peter concerning the foundation of the church, a promise of its preservation, and a predic- tion of the opposition that should be made thereunto. And, accord- ingly, all things ai'e come to pass, and canying on towards a complete accomplishment. For (that we may begin with the opposition fore- told) the power and policy of hell ever were, and ever will be, engaged in opposition unto the church built on this foundation — that is, the faith of it concerning his person, office, and grace, whereby it is built on him. This, as unto what is past, concerneth matter of fact, whereof, therefore, I must give a brief account ; and then we shall examine what evidences we have of the same endea- vour at present.
The gates of hell, as all agree, are the power and policy of it, or the actings of Satan, both as a Hon and as a serpent, by rage and by subtlety. But whereas in these things he acts not visibly in his own
36 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
person, but by his agents, lie liath always bad two sorts of them employed in his service. By the one he executes his rage, and by the other his craft; he animates the one as a lion, the other as a serpent. In the one he acts as the dragon, in the other as the beast that had two horns Hke the lamb, but spake like the dragon. The first is the unbelieving world ; the other, apostates and seducers of all sorts. Wherefore, this work in this kind is of a double nature ; — the one, an effect of his power and rage, acted by the world in perse- cution— the other, of his policy and craft, acted by heretics in seduc- tion. In both he designs to separate the church from its foundation. The opposition of the first sort he began against the person of Christ immediately in his human nature. Fraud first he once attempted in his temptation, (Matt, iv.,) but quickly found that that way he could make no approach unto him. The prince of this world came, but had nothing in him. Wherefore he betook him- self unto open force, and, by all means possible, sought his destruc- tion. So also the more at any time the church is by faith and watchfulness secured against seduction, the more doth he rage against it in open persecution. And (for the example and comfort of the church in its conformity unto Christ) no means were left unattempted that might instigate and prepare the world for his ruin. Reproaches, contempt, scorn, false and lying accusations — by his suggestions — were heaped on him on every hand. Hereby, in the whole course of his ministry, he " endured the contradiction of sinners against himself: " Heb. xii. 3. And there is herein blessed provision made of inestimable consolation, for all those who are " predestinated to be conformed unto his image," when God shall help them by faith to make use of his example. He calls them to take up his cross and follow him ; and he hath showed them what is in it, by his own bearing of it. Contempt, reproach, despiteful usage, calumnies, false accusations, wxestings of his words, blasphem- ing of his doctrine, reviling of his person, all that he said and did as to his principles about human government and moral conversation, encompassed him all his days. And he hath assured his followers, that such, and no other, (at least for the most part,) shall be their lot in this world. And some in all ages have an experience of it in an eminent manner. But have they any reason to complain ? Why should the servant look for better measure than the Master met withal? To be made like unto him in the worst of evils, for his sake, is the best and most honourable condition in this world. God help some to believe it ! Hereby was way made for his death. But, in the whole, it was manifested how infinitely, in all his subtlety and malice, Satan falls short of the contrivances of divine wisdom and power. For all that he attained by effecting his death, in the hour
THE CHURCH OPPOSED BY PERSECUTION. 37
of darkness, was but the breaking of liis own head, the destruction of his works, with the ruin of his kingdom ; and what yet remains to consummate his eternal misery, he shall himself work out in his opposition unto the church. His restless malice and darkness will not suffer him to give over the pursuit of his rage, until nothing remains to give him a full entrance into endless torments — which he hasten eth every day. For when he shall have filled up the measure of his sins, and of the sins of the world in being instru- mental unto his rage, eternal judgment shall put all things unto their issue. Through that shall he, with the world, enter into ever- lasting flames — and the whole church, built on the rock, into rest and glory.
No sooner did the Church of the New Testament begin to arise on this foundation, but the whole world of Jews and Gentiles set them- selves with open force to destroy it. And all that they contended with the church about, was their faith and confession of it, that " Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God." This foundation they would cast it from, or exterminate it out of the earth. What were the endeavours of the gates of hell in this kind — with what height of rage, with what bloody and inhuman cruelties they were exercised and executed — we have some obscure remembrance, in the stories that remain from the martyrdom of Stephen unto the days of Con- stantino. But although there be enough remaining on record, to give us a view of the insatiable malice of the old murderer, and an astonishing representation of human nature degenerating into his image in the perpetration of all horrid, inhuman cruelties — yet is it all as nothing in comparison of that prospect which the last day will give of them, when the earth shall disclose all the blood that it hath received, and the righteous Judge shall lay open all the contrivances for its effusion, with the rage and malice wherewith they were attended. The same rage oontinueth yet unallayed in its principles. And although God in many places restrain and shut it up in his providence, by the circumstances of human affairs, yet — as it hath the least advantage, as it finds any door open unto it — it endeavours to act itself in lesser or higher degrees. But whatever dismal appear ance of things there may be in the world, we need not fear the ruin of the church by the most bloody oppositions. Former experiences will give security against future events. It is built on the rock, and those gates of hell shall not prevail against it.