14 In natural men we find these marks: first, that natural men measure others by1 themselves, so did these brethren judge of Joseph. So doth the world judge hardly of Gods2 children, because they are ungodly themselves: so those that think to correct or admonish in anger, think that others do so too, because they come of fashion to the Church, they think so of others. When we are ready then to think evil of others, let us take heed we be not so our selves, and let us learn to leave this, for the sin is great. For first, we bear false witness against our brother. Secondly, we be enemies to the grace of God in them: because in this our corruption, we cannot judge well of them. The ready remedy is to pull out the beam out of our own eye, and to judge charitably of others. Secondly, a natural man doth more abstain from evil, for man than for God: and so will it be, till3 the fear of God be settled in us, to teach us Gods providence in things to come, and his judgements in things past. This was with Esau, because the days of his father were at hand. So many are now restrained by the magistracy, which otherwise would do evil: so long as ⟨p. 718⟩it is with us thus, we are but hypocrites, and not regenerate. The remedy is, to consider Gods providence, to commit vengeance to him, to overcome evil with goodness: and then shall we do things for conscience sake, and not for fear. Thirdly, the torments of4 5an evil conscience, is the punishment of sin: the wicked shall fly, when none pursueth: whensoever then our conscience doth trouble us, let us know that our sins are in us▪ whereof we are not purged. When we fear men, it is either for the want of the assurance of Gods merciful providence, or forgiveness of our sins, or for that we have done the like to others: as Cain thought every one would slay him, because he slew his brother. If we have not done them harm, and yet fear as Abraham did Abimelech, then it is the want of Gods providence, which riseth of the want of the forgiveness of our sins: for if we fear the creature, it is because we are not reconciled to the Creator. The remedy of6 this fear of men, is to learn faith in Christ, for the free forgiveness of our sins and the assurance of his providence: then shall we say, we fear not what man can do against us:
14 In naturall men wee finde these markes: first, that naturall men measure others by1 themselues, so did these brethren iudge of Ioseph. So doth the world iudge hardly of Gods2 children, because they are vngodly themselues: so those that thinke to correct or admonish in anger, think that others do so too, because they come of fashiō to the Church, they thinke so of others. When we are readie then to thinke euill of others, let vs take heede we be not so our selues, and let vs learne to leaue this, for the sinne is great. For first, wee beare false witnes against our brother. Secondly, wee be enemies to the grace of God in them: because in this our corruption, wee cannot iudge well of them. The readie remedie is to pull out the beame out of our owne eye, and to iudge charitably of others. Secondly, a naturall man doth more abstaine from euill, for man than for God: and so will it bee, till3 the feare of God be setled in vs, to teach vs Gods prouidence in things to come, and his iudgements in things past. This was with Esau, because the daies of his father were at hand. So many are now restrained by the magistracie, which otherwise would do euil: so long as ⟨p. 718⟩it is with vs thus, wee are but hypocrites, and not regenerate. The remedie is, to consider Gods prouidence, to commit vengeance to him, to ouercome euill with goodnesse: and then shall wee doe things for conscience sake, and not for feare. Thirdly, the torments of4 5an euill conscience, is the punishment of sinne: the wicked shall flie, when none pursueth: whensoeuer then our conscience doth trouble vs, let vs knowe that our sinnes are in vs▪ whereof we are not purged. When we feare men, it is either for the want of the assurance of Gods mercifull prouidence, or forgiuenes of our sinnes, or for that wee haue done the like to others: as Caine thought euery one would slay him, because he slew his brother. If wee haue not done them harme, and yet feare as Abraham did Abimelech, then it is the want of Gods prouidence, which riseth of the want of the forgiuenes of our sinnes: for if wee feare the creature, it is because wee are not reconciled to the Creator. The remedie of6
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- 2How natural men measure others by them selves.How natural men measure others by thē selues.
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- 5Deut. 28. Levit. 26. Prou. •8. To fear men.Deut. 28. Leuit. 26. Prou. •8. To feare mē.
- 6Fear & the remedy of it.Feare & the remedie of it.
