Brooks on Persecution

Thomas Brooks deals with the issue of the church's persecution by saying:

"It must be granted that afflictions and persecutions has been the common lot and portion of the people of God in this world. Abel was persecuted by Cain . . . and Isaac by Ishmael. That seems to be a standing law, 'All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution,' 2 Tim. 3:12. . . Would any man take the church's picture, saith Luther, then let him paint a poor silly maid sitting in a wilderness, compassed about with hungry lions, wolves, boars, and bears, and with all manner of other cruel, hurtful beasts, and in the midst of a great many furious men assaulting her every moment and minute, for this is her condition in the world. As certain as night follows day, so certain will that black angel, persecution, follow holiness wherever it goes."