Now should any of those who are labouring by all possible means, to lay up treasure upon earth, feel these words, they would not inlarge their desires as hell; but be content with such things as they had. They then probably might not heap up so much for their heirs, as otherwise they would have done. These would therefore have less than if they had not heard me: because they would grasp at less.
Secondly, wherever the gospel takes effect, the foes of a man will be those of his own houshold. By this means then some who hear and receive it with joy, will be poorer then they were before. Their domestic foes will, in many cases, hinder, embroil, and disturb the course of their affairs. And their relations, who assisted them before, or promised at least so to do, will probably withdraw or deny that assistance, unless they will be advised by them. Perhaps their nearest relations: it being no new thing, for parents to disown their children, if after the way which they call heresy, these worship the God of their fathers. Hence therefore some have less, of this world’s goods then they had in times past, either because they earn less, or because they receive less, from them on whom they depend.
Thirdly, It is written, that those who received not the mark of the beast, either on their fore-heads, or in their right hands, either openly or secretly were not permitted to buy or sell any more. Now whatever the mystery contained herein may be, I apprehend the plain mark of the beast is wickedness; inward and outward unholiness, whatever is secretly or openly contrary to justice, mercy or truth. And certain it is, the time is [♦]well nigh come, when those who have not this mark, can neither buy nor sell, can scarce follow any profession, so as to gain a subsistence thereby. Therefore, many of those who attend on my ministry, are by this means poorer than before. They will not receive the mark of the beast, either on their forehead or in their hand: or if they had received it, before, they rid themselves of it as soon as possible. Some cannot follow their former way of life at all; (as pawnbrokers, smugglers, buyers or sellers of uncustomed goods) others cannot follow it as they did before. For they cannot oppress, cheat or defraud their neighbour: they cannot lie, or say what they do not mean; they must now speak the truth from their heart. On all these accounts, they have less of this world’s goods; because they gain less than they did before.
[♦] “will” replaced with “well”
Fourthly, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: If in no other way, yet at least in this, that men will by revilings persecute them; and say all manner of evil against them falsly, for his sake. One unavoidable effect of this will be, that men whose subsistence depends on their daily labour, will be often in want, for few will care to employ those of so bad a character. And even those who did employ them before, perhaps for many years, will employ them no more; so that hereby some may indeed be brought to beggary.
*8. What does this touch you? Are you one of those, “who will have nothing to do with those scandalous wretches?” Perhaps you will say, “And who can blame me for it: may I not employ whom I please?” We will weigh this. You employed A. B. for several years. By your own account, he was an honest, diligent man. You had no objection to him but his following this way. For this reason you turn him off. In a short time, having spent his little all, and having no supply, he wants bread. So does his family too as well as himself. Before he can get into other business to procure it, thro’ want of convenient food to eat, and raiment to put on, he sickens and dies. This is not an imaginary scene. I have known the case; tho’ too late to remedy it.
“And what then?” What then you are a murderer. O earth, cover not thou his blood! No it doth not. The cry thereof hath entered into the ears of the Lord God of sabbaoth. And God requireth it at your hands: and will require it in an hour when you think not. For you have as effectually murdered that man, as if you had stabbed him to the heart.
It is not I then who ruin and starve that family; it is you; you who call yourself a protestant! You who cry out against the persecuting spirit of the Papists! Ye fools and blind! What are ye better then they? Why, Edmund Bonner would have starved the hereticks in prison: whereas you starve them in their own houses.
*And all this time you talk of liberty of conscience! Yes, liberty for such a conscience as your own: a conscience past feeling; (for sure it had some once) a conscience seared with a hot iron. Liberty to serve the devil, according to your poor, hardened conscience, you allow; but not liberty to serve God.
*Nay, and what marvel? Whosoever thou art that readest this, and feelest in thy heart a real desire to serve God, I warn thee, expect no liberty for thy conscience, from him that hath no conscience at all. All ungodly, unthankful, unholy men; all villains of whatever denomination, will have liberty indeed all the world over, as long as their master is God of this world. But expect not liberty to worship God in spirit and in truth, to practise pure and undefiled religion (unless the Lord should work a new thing in the earth) from any but those who themselves love and serve God.