Where we learn, that as we must be thankful to God, for all his blessings; so among them all, we should choose the best. This, David doth: for being put to choose, whether he had rather live in safe-guard, and in solace, with the wicked and ungodly; than in base estate, and in great danger, near to Gods sanctuary: He saith, Psal. 84.10, He ⟨p. 301⟩had rather be a door-keeper in the house of his God, than to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickedness. And Solomon is highly commended by the holy Ghost, 1. King. 3.10.11, for choosing a wise and understanding heart, before riches and honour. Moses also (as we shall see afterward) had his choice, whether he would live gloriously, & at ease, in Pharaohs court; or with the Church of God in adversity: now, Moses having the gift of discerning, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Which holy examples, do all teach us; that when God setteth before us divers sorts of his blessings, we in spiritual wisdom, must make choice of the best. On the contrary, Esau had this choice set before him; his brothers red broth, and his birth-right; but he chose the worse: & therefore, in the new Testament, the holy Ghost noteth him with this mark, to be profane Esau, for his labour. And the Gadarenes also are branded with a note of infamy to all ages, for choosing their hogs before Christ, and his salvation. And the like choice is set before us every day; for God of his mercy, in the preaching of the word, for his part, doth set forth unto us, Christ Jesus crucified; and in him, remission of sins, and salvation. Now, on the other side, cometh the devil, and setteth before us, all sorts of vain pleasures, and delights; showing to every man those sins, to which he is given; and with them, all the profits or pleasures, that usually accompany such sins. Now, most men having this choice set before them, do leave the true and substantial blessings of God, and come to Satan's painted Pageants, and there make choice of sin, with those base companions that do attend her. This is too apparent to be denied: for, howsoever the word of God be preached unto us, and we do hear the same, yet we prefer the vanities and pleasures of the sinful world, before Christ crucified;
Where we learne, that as we must be thankefull to God, for all his blessings; so among them all, wee should choose the best. This, Dauid doth: for beeing put to choose, whether hee had rather liue in safe-guard, and in solace, with the wicked and vngodly; than in base estate, and in great danger, neere to Gods sanctuarie: He saith, Psal. 84.10, Hee ⟨p. 301⟩had rather bee a doore-keeper in the house of his God, than to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickednesse. And Salomon is highly cōmended by the holy Ghost, 1. King. 3.10.11, for choosing a wise and vnderstanding heart, before riches and honour. Moses also (as we shal see afterward) had his choyce, whether he wold liue gloriously, & at ease, in Pharohs court; or with the Church of God in aduersitie: now, Moses hauing the gift of discerning, refused to bee called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter, and chose rather to suffer aduersitie with the people of God, than to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season. Which holy examples, doe all teach vs; that when God setteth before vs diuers sorts of his blessings, wee in spirituall wisdome, must make choyce of the best. On the contrary, Esau had this choyce set before him; his brothers red broth, and his birth-right; but he chose the worse: & therefore, in the new Testament, the holy Ghost noteth him with this marke, to be profane Esau, for his labour. And the Gaderens also are branded with a note of infamie to all ages, for choosing their hogs before Christ, and his saluation. And the like choyce is set before vs euery day; for God of his mercy, in ye preaching of the word, for his part, doth set forth vnto vs, Christ Iesus crucified; and in him, remission of sinnes, and saluation. Now, on the other side, commeth the diuell, and setteth before vs, all sorts of vaine pleasures, and delights; shewing to euery man those sinnes, to which he is giuen; and with them, all the profits or pleasures, that vsually accompany such sinnes. Now, most men hauing this choyce set before them, doe leaue the true and substantiall blessings of God, and come to Sathans painted Pageants, and there make choyce of sin, with those base companions that doe attend her. This is too apparant to be denied: for, howsoeuer the word of God be preached vnto vs, and we doe heare the same, yet wee preferre the vanities and pleasures of the sinnefull world, before Christ crucified;
