Vol. 2

CHAPTER III. 41cused of being in confederacy with the devil !Whata consolation is this for his most faithful servants, towhom the same crime is sometimes imputed ! A ministerof Christ, a teacher of the truth, who is too muchafraid of being decried by calumnies, is as yet veryfar from resembling his master. A man ought tobe as careful of his reputation as possible, withoutneglecting his duty;as his life, when it is necessary.*'but he must expose that as well23. And he called them unto him, and said untothem in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan ?It is a mark of solid piety, to be unconcerned underthe greatest calumnies, still to retain meekness andcharity, and to instruct those who either through ignoranceor blindness happen to join in them. Theyare very often made up of contradictions; but theconfidence of those who raise them, and the maliceor simplicity of those who hear them, supply all defects.Satan does neither calumniate, persecute, norcast out Satan : and yet Christians do it to Christians,priests to priests, bishops to bishops, and eventhe creature to the Creator. The Creator suffersthis with patience and humility; and is it reasonablethat the creature should be exasperated, incensed,and unwilling to bear it ?" 24. And if a kingdom be divided against itself,that kingdom cannot stand.divided against itself,25. And if a house bethat house cannot stand."Division destroys the best works, as union establishes,preserves, and perfects them. The world willperish by means of divisions, wars, and enmities ; becauseit is designed to perish, and because God givesit up to the passions of carnal men. But divisions