A treatise of mans imaginations Showing his natural evil thoughtsA treatise of mans imaginations Shewing his naturall euill thoughts

Sect. 3. Of this thought; I will not obey Gods word.

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,