But when the church has rest
and quietness, then as she praises God, so she conceives and brings
forth governors and good government and rule among her members.
David, a man of blood, could not build the house to the Lord, which
peaceable Solomon, that man of rest, afterwards did. When armies are
engaged and hot in battle, it is harder to keep them in rank and
file than when they have rest and time for discipline.
THE CHURCH IN AFFLICTION.
When the church of God is afflicted, both heaven and hell have their
hand therein; but from a differing consideration, and to a diverse
end. From heaven it comes, that we may remember we have sinned, and
that we may be made white and tried; but from hell, that we might
sin the more, and that we might despair and be damned.
SATAN'S HOSTILITY TO THE CHURCH.
Satan has tried many ways to be at amity with the church--not
because he loves her holiness, but because he hates her welfare. And
that he might bring about his enterprise, he sometimes has allured
her with the dainty delicacies of this world, the lusts of the flesh
and of the eyes, and the pride of life. This being fruitless, he has
attempted to entangle and bewitch her with his glorious appearance
as an angel of light; and to that end he has made his ministers of
righteousness, preaching up righteousness, and contending for a
divine and holy worship.
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