2. In order to understand this throughly, let us, first enquire, who are they that are persecuted. And this we may easily learn from St. _Paul: [72]As of old, he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Yea_, saith the apostle, _and all that will live godly in_ Christ Jesus, _shall suffer persecution_. The same we are taught by St. _John. [73]Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren._ As if he had said, the brethren, the Christians cannot be loved, but by them who have passed from death unto life. And most expresly, by our Lord: [74]_If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world――therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his_ Lord. _If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you._ By all these scriptures it manifestly appears, who they are that are persecuted: namely, the righteous, _he that is born after the Spirit; all that will live godly in_ Christ Jesus: they that are _passed from death unto life_; those who _are not of the world_: All those who are meek and lowly in heart, that mourn for God, that hunger after his likeness; all that love God and their neighbour, and therefore as they have opportunity, do good unto all men. 3. *If it be, secondly, enquired, why they are persecuted? The answer is equally plain and obvious. It is _for righteousness sake_; because they are righteous; because they are _born after the Spirit_; because they _will live godly in_ Christ Jesus; because they _are not of the world_. Whatever may be pretended, this is the real cause: be their infirmities more or less, still if it were not for this, they would be borne with, and the world would love its own. They are persecuted, because they are _poor in spirit_, that is, say the world, “poor-spirited, mean, dastardly souls, good for nothing, not fit to live in the world:” Because they _mourn_; “they are such dull, heavy, lumpish creatures, enough to sink any one’s spirits that sees them: they are mere death-heads; they kill innocent mirth, and spoil company wherever they come.” Because they are _meek_; “tame, passive fools, just fit to be trampled upon:” Because they _hunger and thirst after righteousness_; “a parcel of hot-brained enthusiasts, gaping after they know not what, not content with rational religion, but running mad after raptures and inward feelings:” Because they are merciful, lovers of all, lovers of the evil and unthankful; “encouraging all manner of wickedness; nay, tempting people to do mischief by impunity: and men who, it is to be feared, have their own religion still to seek; very loose in their principles:” Because they are pure in heart: “uncharitable creatures! That damn all the world, but those that are of