Who persecutes them
Let us ask, third, who they are that persecute them. Saint Paul answers, the one who is born after the flesh, everyone who is not born of the Spirit, or at least desiring to be so, all who do not at least labor to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus, all who have not passed from death to life and consequently cannot love the brothers and sisters, the world, that is, according to our Savior's account, those who do not know him who sent me, those who do not know God, even the loving, pardoning God, by the teaching of his own Spirit.
The reason is plain. The spirit which is in the world is directly opposite to the Spirit which is of God. It must therefore be that those who are of the world will be opposite to those who are of God. There is the utmost contrast between them in all their opinions, their desires, their designs, and their tempers. And so far the leopard and the kid (Isaiah 11:6) cannot lie down in peace together. The proud, because he is proud, cannot help persecuting the lowly. The light and careless persecute those who mourn. And so in every other kind. The unlikeness of disposition, even if there were no other ground, is a lasting ground of enmity. Therefore, even on this account alone, all the servants of the devil will persecute the children of God.
1771 text
4. Let us, thirdly, enquire, who are they that persecute them? St. Paul answers, He that is born after the flesh; every one who is not born of the Spirit, or at least, desirous so to be: all that do not, at least, labour to live godly in Christ Jesus: all that are not passed from death unto life, and consequently cannot love the brethren: the world, that is according to our Saviour’s account, they who know not him that sent me: they who know not God, even the loving, pardoning God, by the teaching of his own Spirit.
The reason is plain. The spirit which is in the world is directly opposite to the Spirit which is of God. It must therefore needs be, that those who are of the world, will be opposite to those who are of God. There is the utmost contrariety between them, in all their opinions, their desires, designs, and tempers. And hitherto the leopard and the kid, cannot lie down in peace together. The proud, because he is proud, cannot but persecute the lowly; the light and airy, those that mourn: and so in every other kind; the unlikeness of disposition, (were there no other) being a perpetual ground of enmity, therefore (were it only on this account) all the servants of the devil, will persecute the children of God.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 23 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:8-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.