The third point is, To what thing the Galatians revolt? to another Gospel, that is, to a better gospel, then that which Paul taught, compounded of Christ and the works of the law. And this forged gospel the false apostles taught, and the Galatians §30quickly received. Here we see the curious niceness and daintiness of mans nature, that cannot be content with the good things of God, unless they be framed to our minds: and if they please us for a while, they do not please us long, but we must have new things. Our first parents not content with their first §35estate, must needs be as God. Nadab and Abihu offer sacrifice to God, but the fire must be of their own appointment. 1King Achas will offer sacrifice to God, but the altar must 2be like the altar at Damascus. False-teachers beside the doctrine of the Apostles, had profound learning of their ⟨p. 21⟩3own. The Jews beside the written law of Moses, must have their Cabala, containing, as they supposed, more mystical and excellent doctrine. The Papists beside the written word, set unwritten Tradition which they make equal with the Scripture. We that profess the Gospel, are not altogether free from this fault. We like, that Christ should be preached: but sermons are §5not in common reputation learned, neither do they greatly please the most, unless they be garnished with skill of arts, tongues, and variety of reading: this curiousness and discontentment the Lord condemns, when he forbids ploughing with 4the ox, and the ass, and the wearing of garments of linsey-woolsey. §10And it is the worst kind of discontentment, that is, in things pertaining to salvation. It is called by Paul, the itching of the care, 5and it is incident to them that follow their own lusts. The remedy of this sin, is to learn the first lesson that is to be §15learned of them that are to be good scholars in the school of Christ: and that is to feel our poverty, and in what extreme need we stand of the death and passion of Christ: and withal to hunger, & thirst after Christ, as the bread, and water of life. Read Isa. 44. 3. Joh. 7. 37. Psal. 25. 11. the example of David, §20Psal. 143. 6. When the heart and conscience hath experimentally learned this lesson, and not the brain, and tongue alone:
The third point is, To what thing the Galatians reuolt? to another Gospel, that is, to a better gospel, then that which Paul taught, compounded of Christ and the workes of the law. And this forged gospel the false apostles taught, and the Galatians §30quickly receiued. Here we see the curious nicenes and daintines of mans nature, that cannot be content with the good things of God, vnlesse they be framed to our minds: and if they please vs for a while, they doe not please vs long, but we must haue new things. Our first parents not content with their first §35estate, must needes be as God. Nadab and Abihu offer sacrifice to God, but the fire must be of their owne appointment. 1King Achas will offer sacrifice to God, but the altar must 2be like the altar at Damascus. False-teachers beside the doctrine of the Apostles, had profound learning of their ⟨p. 21⟩3owne. The Iewes beside the written law of Moses, must haue their Cabala, containing, as they supposed, more mysticall and excellent doctrine. The Papists beside the written word, set vnwritten Tradition which they make equall with the Scripture. We that professe the Gospel, are not altogether free from this fault. We like, that Christ should be preached: but sermons are §5not in common reputation learned, neither doe they greatly please the most, vnlesse they be garnished with skill of arts, tongues, and varietie of reading: this curiousnes and discontentment the Lord condemnes, when he forbids plowing with 4the oxe, and the asse, and the wearing of garments of linsi-wolsie. §10And it is the worst kind of discontment, that is, in things pertaining to saluation. It is called by Paul, the itching of the care, 5and it is incident to them that follow their owne lusts. The remedie of this sinne, is to learne the first lesson that is to be lear §15ned of them that are to be good schollers in the schoole of Christ: and that is to feele our pouertie, and in what extreame neede we stand of the death and passion of Christ: and withall to hunger, & thirst after Christ, as the bread, and water of life. Read
- 1Lev. 10. 1.
- 22. Reg. 16. 11.
- 3Rev. 2. 24.
- 4Deut. 22. 9.
- 52. Tim. 4. 5.
