Ezra 5

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. V.—It is highly desirable to have church and state concurring in the work of reformation: but the declaration of divine truths is always the principal mean. Faithful reprovers are profitable to obedient cars. When God raises up faithful ministers to animate sluggish or disheartened professors, there is hope that the church will be built up: and, if his eye be on us for good, we need not fear what man can do to us. His comfortable presence should animate us to the utmost diligence in his work: nor ought we to conceal the just manifestations of his displeasure against us or our fathers. It is a great mercy when the people of God have to do with enemies that make some conscience of telling the truth. Christ’s followers are never persecuted but when they are belied. Let their cause be but fairly stated and fairly heard, and it will stand its ground against every opposition. And it is often false information, and not malice, that makes magistrates to issue forth persecuting edicts and sentences