ther natural or civil bands. When men see Christianity making
us do that really and cheerfully, which even nature itself teacheth all to
do that makes the light of it shining and beautiful. Are not these higher
mysteries of faith, than some conceive? It is not other points of truth
and profession, that are either above natural reason, or seem something
opposite to it, that can engage natural beholders, and far less the
prosecution of a temporal worldly interest of the people of God, to the
destruction of all opposite to it, at least to the diminishing of all
other men's gain and advantage, the engrossing of all earthly privileges
into the hands of saints. That is such a thing that never entered into the
heart of the shining lights of the primitive times. O how doth the stream
of their exhortations run cross to this notion! I am sure there is nothing
in its own nature, such a stumbling block to the world or represents
religion so odious and abominable to other men, as when it stands in the
way, and intercepts all these natural immunities or privileges of life, or
estate. This makes natural men to hate it, even at a distance, and become
irreconcilable enemies unto it. Since it will not let them live by it,
they are engaged not to let it live by them. I wish indeed all the places
of power and trust in every nation, were in the hands of godly men, not so
much for the interest of the godly as for the public interest, because men
fearing God, and hating covetousness, can only rule justly and
comfortably. But to monopolize all power and trust to such a particular
judgment and way (as it is now given out) is truly, I think, inhuman and
unchristian. These deserve not power and trust who would seek it, and
engross it wholly to themselves.(438) But there is another thing which
savours greatly of the flesh, at least of that spirit which Christ
reproved in his disciples, to take away men's lives, liberty, and
livelihood given by their Creator, upon every foot of opposition and
enmity to our way and interest. Is this to love our enemies, blessing them
that curse us, or praying for them that despitefully use us, or persecute
us? Let us remember we are Christians, and this is the rule of
Christianity, that stops even the mouth of adversaries. But some still
find an evasion for this. They will say they are God's enemies, and not my
particular enemies only. But I pray you were not the enemies of Christians
in these days more properly enemie