Page:Lamb in the midst of the throne.pdf/44

44 of God of their rights and reformation privileges. What was the hand of Pilate againſt Chriſt, the cruelleſt act that ever was done? Why, it was the hand of God himſelf: for it is ſaid, when Pilate ſpake, saying, "Doſt thou not know that I have power to crucify thee, or to ſet thee at liberty?' Chriſt anſwered, 'Thou couldſt have no power except it were given thee of my Father.' Even ſo ſay I, church-men or church-judicatories, courts or aſſemblies, could have no power to break down any of the carved work of reformation; no power to harm the liberties of God's people in chuſing their paſtors; no power to obtrude miniſters on Chriſtian congregations, willing to chuſe faithful paſtors; no power to paſs sentence againſt ſuch as oppose that ſpeat of defection, except it were given them of our Father; and therefore let us be quiet and ſober: we have ſome other thing ado than to break out in a paſſionate reſentment againſt poor mortal men, the ſinful inſtruments of the church's confuſion and diſorder. When Shimei railed upon David, Let him alone, ſays David, may be the Lord hath bidden him. The Lord, for our trial and chaſtiſement, perhaps hath required ſome in our day, go and tread upon the rights of thoſe people; go and reproach and perſecute, ſuſpend and depoſe theſe miniſters for keeping a good conſcience in an evil time: I ſay, it may be the Lord hath bidden; yea, 'Is there evil in the city, and the Lord hath not done it?' Is there evil in the church, and the Lord hath not done it? No, no; well what of that? This does not juſtify evil instruments, no; but it ſays, we are to be ſober, and lay our hand upon our mouth, and bear the indignation of the Lord, becauſe we have ſinned againſt him: we are to be dumb, and not to open our mouth, becauſe he does it.