But to return to their dealings with men, whom when they have sore hurt and wronged, they make a light matter of it, and say, they meant no harm; they are like the man in the Proverbs, that feigned himself mad, and cast firebrands and arrows, and saith, he was in sport: so they deal deceitfully 1and wickedly with their friend and neighbour, and say, they are in sport, that is, they mean no harm. But if the least injury be offered them (as was here to this Philistine by Samson, going from his daughter but a while) they will make of a little matter a great, rather then be satisfied with such an answer, that the party thought it would not be so hardly taken. To conclude, as Solomon saith to the young men; Rejoice in thy youth, &c: but be 2sure God will bring thee to judgement: so I may say to these men while health and jollity lasteth, and none to control you, tread your underlings under your feet, and wind God himself about your fingers: make a slight matter of sin, and say, it was but a trick of youth, it was but a small matte, I did it but once; as many at this day make a But of Adams sin, he did but eat an apple (a matter of nothing) and lo both he and all his posterity must die for it. And do ye as Esau did, Tush, what great matter is it to sell my birthright, 3let it go? Sooth up your selves (I say) with the conceit of him that thinks God is (as the Papists paint him) but a good old man and sits idle, he will neither do good nor evil, we may use and deal with him as we list. But when God shall take the wild Ass in her months (who being light, cared for none of her pursuers) I mean, when he shall visit these men, 4and set before their face their unconscionableness and hard measure, which they have offered and made nothing of, (as if other men were made to be their tennis-balls, and the objects of their wrong and scorn) then their sin shall not seem a small But, but a great hill and mountain unto them, and they shall cry out, saying, We never felt the weight of our sin till now; it was light in committing, but the punishment is greater then we can bear. And as the holy Ghost threatens adulterers, God shall judge them; so let these 5know, that seeing they are too stout and stately for common men to meddle with, God will take them in hand, and (as James saith) be an advocate for the innocent against their oppressors.
But to returne to their dealings with men, whom when they haue sore hurt and wronged, they make a light matter of it, and say, they meant no harme; they are like the man in the Prouerbs, that fained himselfe mad, and cast firebrands and arrowes, and saith, he was in sport: so they deale deceitfully 1and wickedly with their friend and neighbour, and say, they are in sport, that is, they meane no harme. But if the least iniurie bee offered them (as was heere to this Philistim by Samson, going from his daughter but a while) they will make of a little matter a great, rather then be satisfied with such an answere, that the party thought it would not be so hardly taken. To conclude, as Salomon saith to the young men; Reioce in thy youth, &c: but bee 2sure God will bring thee to iudgement: so I may say to these men while health and iollity lasteth, and none to controll you, tread your vnderlings vnder your feet, and winde God himselfe about your fingers: make a slight matter of sinne, and say, it was but a tricke of youth, it was but a small matte, I did it but once; as many at this day make a But of Adams sin, he did but eate an apple (a matter of nothing) and loe both he and all his posterity must die for it. And doe ye as Esau did, Tush, what great matter is it to sell my birthright, 3let it goe? Sooth vp your selues (I say) with the conceit of him that thinkes God is (as the Papists paint him) but a good old man and sits idle, hee will neither doe good nor euill, wee may vse and deale with him as wee list. But when God shall take the wild Asse in her moneths (who being light, cared for none of her pursuers) I meane, when he shall visit these men, 4and set before their face their vnconscionablenes and hard measure, which they haue offered and made nothing of, (as if other men were made to bee their tenis-balles, and the obiects of their wrong and scorne) then their sin shall not seeme a small But, but a great hill and mountaine vnto them, and they shall cry out, saying, We neuer felt the weight of our sinne till now; it was light in committing, but the punishment is greater then wee can beare. And as the holy Ghost threatens adulterers, God shall iudge them; so let these 5know, that seeing they are too stout and stately for common men to meddle with, God will take them in hand, and (as Iames saith) bee an aduocate for the innocent against their oppressors.
- 1Prou. 26. 19.
- 2Eccles. 11. 9.
- 3Gen. 25. 32.
- 4Jer. 1. •4.Ier. 1. •4.
- 5Heb. 13. 4.
