was word presently brought to the great one of the fair, who quickly came down and deputed some of his most trusty friends to take those men into an examination, about whom the fair was almost overturned. So the men were brought to examination; and they that fat upon them, asked them, Whence they came, whither they went, and what they did there in fuch an unusual garb? The men told them, That they were pilgrims and ftrangers in the world, and that they were going to their own country, which was the heavenly Jerufalem; (Heb. xi, 13, 14, 15, 16.) and that they had given no occafion to the men of the town, nor yet to the merchandizers, thus to abuse them, and to stop them in their journey; except it was for that, when one asked them what they would buy, they faid, they would buy the truth. But they that were appointed to examine them, did not, believe them to be any other than bedlams, and mad, or else fuch as came to put all things into a confufion in the fair. Therefore they took them and beat them, and besmeared them with dirt, and then put them into the cage, that they might be made a fpectacle to all the men of the fair. There therefore, they lay for fome time, and were made the objects of any man's fport, or malice, or revenge; the great one of the fair laughing ftill at all that befel them but, the men being patient, and not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwife bleffing, and giving good words for bad, and kindnefs for injuries done; fome men in the fair that were more ob fus, and esteeming the reproaches of his crofs greater riches far than all the treafures in Egypt, therefore the world perfe cutes them, and speaks all manner of evil of them, falsely, for the fake and caufe of Christ. They that are born after the flesh, ever will perfecute them that are born of the Spirit. Hence the cruel mockings and fcourgings, the ftripes, bonds and observing, and lefs prejudiced than the reft, began to check and blame the bafer fort for their continual abuses done by them to the men: they therefore in angry manner let fly at them again, counting them as bad as the men in the cage, and telling them that they seemed confederates, and should be made partakers of their misfortunes. The others replied, that for aught they could see, the men were quiet and fober, and intended no body any harm: and that there were many that traded in their fair, that were more worthy to be put into the cage, yea, and pillory too, than were the men that they had abufed. Thus, after divers words had paffed on both fides, (the men behaving themselves all the while very wifely and foberly before them) they fell to fome blows among themselves, and did harm one to another. Then were these two poor men brought before their examiners again, and there charged as being guilty of the late hubbub that had been in the fair. So they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon them, and led them in chains up and down the fair, for an example and terror to others, left any should speak in their behalf, or join themselves unto them. But Chriftian and Faithful behaved themfelves yet more wisely, and received the ignominy and shame that was caft upon them, with so much meekness and patience, that it won to their fide (though and imprisonments, the children of God meet with. Haled from prison to judgment, they are, unheard, condemned as madmen, who have turned the world upfide down; as traytors, and fowers of fedition and herefy. An unjuft judge, and ungodly men, cry out against them as the very fcum of the earth, and as fellows not fit to live. Such was the treatment of Faithful, till he fealed his teftimony with blood. Happy the departure! The poor defpifed difciple of Jefus, though treated with scorn and contempt here, is neverthelets under the guidance and protection of his God: and though suffered to I 1. Here therefore they called again to mind what they had heard from their faithful friend Evangelift, and were the more confirmed in their ways. and fufferings, by what he told them would happen to them. They also now comforted each other, F that whofe lot it was to fuffer, even he fhould have the best on it; therefore each man fecretly wifhed that he might have that preferment; but commit ting themselves to the allwife difpofal of him that ruleth all things, with much content they abode in the condition in which they were until they should be otherwise disposed of. Then a convenient time being appointed, they brought them forth to their tryal, in order to their condemnation. When the time was come, they were (though but few in comparison of the reft) feveral of the men in the fair. This put the other party yet into a greater rage, infomuch that they concluded the death of these two men. Wherefore they threatened, that neither cage nor irons should ferve their turn, but that they fhould die for the abuse they had done, and for deluding the men of the fair. Then were they remanded to the cage again, until further order should be taken with them. So they put them in and made their feet faft in the ftocks. to be put to death by the hands of cruel and wicked men, is escorted by angels into the bofom of his Father, and made everlastingly happy in the full fruition and enjoyment of God and the Lamb. We now, bleffed be God, enjoy a period free from perfecution unto death; but the fame spirit and temper ftill prevails, though the Lord does not permit a difcovery of it in violent meafures. Turn to the natural man; his mind is enmity itself against God, and he practically hates both God and his people. He knoweth nothing of the things of God, because they are fpiritually difcerned; and whilft under the power of fin, he will remain an enemy to the cross of Chrift. |