On the contrary,1 let us behold, (as all are here called to do) the best and most secure, of unregenerate men encompassed about with all means, and supports of confidence, and comfort; whether of Legal righteousness of their own, (which these Jews made boast of,) together with the addition of all worldly and outward comforts: both which the Prophet here compares to Fire and sparks, as preserving Light and comfort in them. As, 1 let their lives, and natural dispositions, abound with never so many sparks of legal righteousness, which themselves have kindled: for so he compares all those several acts and performances of natural […] ⟨p. 2⟩[…] ⟨p. 3⟩⟨p. 4⟩and acquired righteousness, struck out, and educed from the powers of natural principles, improved; which make a great blaze in a mans own opinion, & esteem; which yet, not proceeding from the holy Ghost baptising them as with fire, and renewing them; nor from internal principles of regeneration, which Christ compares to fire, Mar. 9 ult are all in Gods account, but as a sacrifice offered up with strange fire; which was forbidden, and are here said to be of their own kindling: And such were the sparks, in the light of which, these Jews walked, who went about to establish their own righteousness, 2and with confidence trusted therein, and not on the name of the Lord. And further, 2 Let these men be surrounded, and encompassed about with the greatest splendour of worldly glory, and abound in all those good things this world can afford them; (the comforts whereof Solomon in like manner compares to a fire of Thorns, and the pleasures of it, to the crackling of thrones,3 as here to sparks:) and let them keep never so good fires to warm and cheer themselves withal, lay on as much every day as shall even encompass them about with sparks; and in the light, and confidence of both these, let them walk for many years; despising that other poor believer, that feareth to be found in his own righteousness, and refuseth to be comforted by any of these: yet, let them know, (says Christ, who is brought in as the speaker here,) that when they have thus walk• presumptuously, and securely, and even walk themselves weary; (as it is Isai. 40. 13.) weary of all their own ways, and pleasures; (as they will be one day,) and then at their death beds, think ⟨p. 5⟩to lye down and rest them:
On the contrary,1 let us behold, (as all are here called to doe) the best and most secure, of unregenerate men encompassed about with all meanes, and supports of confidence, and comfort; whether of Legall righteousnesse of their owne, (which these Jewes made boast of,) together with the addition of all worldly and outward comforts: both which the Prophet here compares to Fire and sparkes, as preserving Light and comfort in them. As, 1 let their lives, and naturall dispositions, abound with never so many sparkes of legall righteousnesse, which themselves have kindled: for so he compares all those severall acts and performances of naturall 〈…〉 ⟨p. 2⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 3⟩⟨p. 4⟩and acquired righteousnesse, struck out, and educed from the powers of naturall principles, improved; which make a great blaze in a mans owne opinion, & esteem; which yet, not proceeding from the holy Ghost baptising them as with fire, and renewing them; nor from internall principles of regeneration, which Christ compares to fire, Mar. 9 ult are all in Gods account, but as a sacrifice offered up with strange fire; which was forbidden, and are here said to be of their owne kindling: And such were the sparkes, in the light of which, these Iewes walkt, who went about to establish their owne righteousnesse, 2and with confidence trusted therein, and not on the name of the Lord. And further, 2 Let these men be surrounded, and encompassed about with the greatest splendor of worldly glory, and abound in all those good things this world can afford them; (the comforts whereof Salomon in like maner compares to a fire of Thornes, and the pleasures of it, to the crackling of thrones,3 as here to sparkes:) and let them keepe never so good fires to warm and cheere themselves withall, lay on as much every day as shall even encompasse them about with sparkes; and in the light, and confidence of both these, let them walke for many yeares; despising that other poore beleever, that feareth to be found in his own righteousnesse, and refuseth to be comforted by any of these: yet, let them know, (sayes Christ, who is brought in as the speaker here,) that when they have thus walk presumptuously, and securely, and even walke themselves weary; (as it is
- 1Of the 11. verse.
- 2Rom. 10. 3.
- 3Eccles. 7. 6.
