From the former ariseth an other most vile thought, in the heart of every natural man, as a branch of the same; namely because the word of God is foolishness, therefore I will not perform obedience thereunto. That this is the natural thought of man, Job teacheth plainly; for he bringeth in the wicked (that is, every sinner) saying thus to God, fDepart from us, we will not the knowledge of thy ways. This the wicked man saith, not with his mouth, for none is so far past all shame, that dares thus blasphemously speak against God; but thus he saith in his heart, his affections speak it, when he purposed with himself, to cast off the yoke of God, and to live after his own lusts: and therefore they ⟨p. 74⟩say further,g Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? as if one should say, It is a disgrace to me to abase my self to serve God; I will not do it. The Prophet Jeremiah bringeth in the Lord saying thus to his people,h Stand in the ways, and behold, and ask for the Old way, which is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but in the same place the Jews answer, We will not walk in thy ways. Shall we think that they durst thus impudently answer the Lord with open mouths? No surely; But the Prophet in these words setteth down the purpose of their hearts who hardened the same obstinately against the word, when they were exhorted to repentance and obedience ⟨p. 75⟩before the Lord. Our Saviour Christ compareth himself to a noble man that goeth into a far country; now when he is gone, the citizens of his country send messengers after him to tell him,i that they will not have him to reign over them. Which though it be properly to be understood of the nation of the Jews, who did indeed say so to our Saviour Christ, yet it may also be extended to all impenitent sinners, who say in their hearts; Christ shall not reign over us: for so long as a man is uncalled, he carrieth a purpose to live in sin, some in this sin, and some in that, and so doing, saith in his heart, God shall not be my God, I will not submit my self unto his laws, Christ shall not ⟨p. 76⟩reign over me. This is plain and manifest by mens behaviour, when they are reproved for their sins: Tell the covetous man of his avarice, the swearer of his blasphemy, & the drunkard of his drunkenness, &c. will he humble himself in conscience of his sin?
From the former ariseth an other most vile thought, in the heart of euery naturall man, as a branch of the same; namely because the word of God is foolishnes, therefore I will not performe obedience thereunto. That this is the naturall thought of man, Iob teacheth plainely; for he bringeth in the wicked (that is, euery sinner) saying thus to God, fDepart from vs, wee will not the knowledge of thy waies. This the wicked man saith, not with his mouth, for none is so farre past all shame, that dares thus blasphemously speake against God; but thus hee saith in his heart, his affections speake it, when he purposed with himselfe, to cast off the yoake of God, and to liue after his owne lusts: and therefore they ⟨p. 74⟩say further,g Who is the Almightie that wee should serue him? as if one should say, It is a disgrace to mee to abase my selfe to serue God; I will not doe it. The Prophet Ieremie bringeth in the Lord saying thus to his people,h Stand in the waies, and behold, and aske for the Old way, which is the good way, and walke therein, and yee shall find rest for your soules: but in the same place the Iewes answer, We will not walke in thy waies. Shall wee thinke that they durst thus impudently answer the Lord with open mouthes? No surely; But the Prophet in these wordes setteth downe the purpose of their hearts who hardned the same obstinately against the word, when they were exhorted to repentance and obedience ⟨p. 75⟩before the Lord. Our Sauiour Christ compareth himselfe to a noble man that goeth into a farre countrey; now when he is gone, the citizens of his countrey send messengers after him to tell him,i that they will not haue him to raigne ouer them. Which though it be properly to be vnderstood of the nation of the Iewes, who did indeede say so to our Sauiour Christ, yet it may also be extended to all impenitent sinners, who say in their hearts; Christ shall not raigne over vs: for so long as a man is vncalled, he carrieth a purpose to liue in sinne, some in this sinne, and some in that, and so doing, saith in his heart, God shall not bee my God, I will not submit my selfe vnto his lawes, Christ shall not ⟨p. 76⟩raigne ouer me. This is plaine and manifest by mens behauiour, when they are reprooued for their sinnes: Tell the couetous man of his auarice, the swearer of his blasphemy, & the drūkard of his drunkennes, &c. will he humble himselfe in conscience of his sinn?
- fJob. 21. 14.Iob. 21. 14.
- gv. 1•.
- hJer. 6. 16.Ier. 6. 16.
- iLuk. 19. 14.
