[Sidenote: Acts. 2.]
[Sidenote: Acts. 7.]
A Christian indeed is never right, till he seeme to the world to be
beside himselfe; Christs owne kindred were afrayd of him. The Apostles
are sayd to be full of new wine; besides, with these the world is madd:
they runn with _Stephan_ like madd men; _Nichodemus_ and such as he,
never offends them.
[Sidenote: 2 Object.]
[Sidenote: A makebate.]
[Sidenote: Tenterden steeple.]
You know also what _Ahab_ laid to the charge of _Eliah_; with the
Apologie hee made for himselfe. This is a stale imputation in ages.
_Haman_ accused _Mordechay_ and the Jewes of it. The Apostles are sayd
to bee troubles of the whole earth. In the Primitive Church all mutinies
and contentions were layd to the Martyrs. True it is, where zeale is,
there is opposition, and so consequently troubles: Christ sets this fire
on earth, not as an author, but by accident: The theefe is the authour
of the fray, though the true man strike never so many blowes: but the
_Ahabs_ of the world, trouble Israel; then, complaine of _Eliah:_ The
Papists will blow upp the State, then father it upon the Puritans. It is
not for any wise man, to beleeve the tythe of the tales and slanders,
which flie abroad of the zealous: Lewd men would fain strike at all
goodnes through their sides.
[Sidenote: 3 Object. Proud.]
You may remember also _Eliabs_ uncharitable censure of _David_, I know
the pride of thine heart. So doe all worldlings measure others by their
owne length; if they see any forwardnesse in the peaceablest spirit,
they ascribe it either to vaine-glory, or covetousnesse; the onely
springs that set their wheeles on going: but of this the knower of the
hearts must judge betweene us.
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