" The presence
of godly Samuel made the elders of Bethlehem tremble; yea, when
Elisha was sought for by the king of Syria, he durst not engage him
but with chariots and horses, a heavy host. Godliness is a wonderful
thing; it commandeth reverence, and the stooping of the spirit, even
of the ungodly ones.
Godliness puts such a majesty and dread upon the professors of it,
that their enemies are afraid of them; yea, even then when they rage
against them, and lay heavy afflictions upon them. It is marvellous
to see in what fear the ungodly are, even of godly men and
godliness; in that they stir up the mighty, make edicts against
them, yea, and raise up armies, and what else can be imagined, to
suppress them; while the persons thus opposed, if you consider them
as to their state and capacity in this world, are the most
inconsiderable--but as a dead dog or a flea. O, but they are clothed
with godliness; the image and presence of God is upon them. This
makes the beasts of this world afraid. "One of you shall chase a
thousand."
The ornament and beauty of this lower world, next to God and his
wonders, are the men that spangle and shine in godliness.
THE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH
"The whole family in heaven, and earth." The difference betwixt us
and them is, not that we are really two, but one body in Christ, in
divers places.
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