And whereas he requireth that confidence should be put in him, for continual defence, deliverance, and succour in soul and body,1 they are carried with distrust, as with a whirlwind, and therefore their hope is faint, or none at all, before they see their desire accomplished. In their great dangers,2 when means to come out, do fail them, they are overcome with fear, and almost §Bbeside themselves. In losses impatient, and full of murmuring,3 receiving them as from a cruel judge, and sorrowing for them deadly. And as some have their hearts thus boiling in their trials, and afflictions: so others have their hearts swelling against God in obstinacy and contempt for his afflicting them, and are loose, careless, and desperate, whatsoever pincheth them:4 yet in a scoffing spirit they say within themselves, let him do his best, yet will we not turn unto him, nor seek unto him: (oh horrible blasphemy, fearful to be once named!) that I say nothing of them, who ascribe all to blind fortune, (in cursing of the which, they curse God;) or as the Atheists do, to nature. Are not these loathsome guests to lodge in the hearts of Christians?5 §CI do not go about to set down the poisoned corruptions, and lusts of Heathens, Turks, and Atheists, as they are properly called, that is, such as deny God utterly, for so should I never have done; but to lay forth some part of the corruptions which dwell, and abide in the hearts of such as go for Christians: that many of them who can bear out matters boldly here among men, may see what villainy and treachery they commit against God. This is a little of a great deal of the dishonour which they offer to God. And as this declareth what rebellion is in men under the cross:6 so how they behave themselves towards him in the days of their prosperity, experience teacheth, and I could show at large, if the time would suffer me to declare it. §DAs for thankfulness, there is little or none in them: I appeal to their own consciences, what do their hearts yield to God the whole day thorough, for his manifold mercies; and if some do, yet is it done only in words for a fashion only, and from the very teeth outward: and yet many are ashamed even at their table to do that. They rejoice in the merry world, whilst they have ease, and plenty; they look for no other, but wish it always so:7
And whereas he requireth that confidence should be put in him, for continuall defence, deliuerance, and succour in soule and bodie,1 they are carried with distrust, as with a whirlewind, and therefore their hope is faint, or none at all, before they see their desire accomplished. In their great dangers,2 when meanes to come out, doe faile them, they are ouercome with feare, and almost §Bbeside themselues. In losses impatient, and full of murmuring,3 receiuing them as from a cruell iudge, and sorrowing for them deadly. And as some haue their hearts thus boiling in their trials, and afflictions: so others haue their hearts swelling against God in obstinacie and contempt for his afflicting them, and are loose, careles, and desperate, whatsoeuer pincheth them:4 yet in a scoffing spirit they say within themselues, let him doe his best, yet will we not turne vnto him, nor seeke vnto him: (oh horrible blasphemie, fearefull to be once named!) that I say nothing of them, who ascribe all to blinde fortune, (in cursing of the which, they curse God;) or as the Atheists doe, to nature. Are not these loathsome guestes to lodge in the hearts of Christians?5 §CI doe not goe about to set downe the poisoned corruptions, and lusts of Heathens, Turkes, and Atheists, as they are properly called, that is, such as deny God vtterly, for so should I neuer haue done; but to lay forth some part of the corruptions which dwell, and abide in the hearts of such as goe for Christians: that many of them who can beare out matters boldly here among men, may see what villanie and treacherie they commit against God. This is a little of a great deale of the dishonour which they offer to God. And as this declareth what rebellion is in men vnder the crosse:6 so how they behaue themselues towards him in the daies of their prosperitie, experience teacheth, and I could shew at large, if the time would suffer me to declare it. §DAs for thankefulnes, there is little or none in them: I appeale to their owne consciences, what doe their hearts yeeld to God the whole day thorough, for his manifold mercies; and if some doe, yet is it done onely in words for a fashion onely, and from the very teeth outward: and yet many are ashamed euen at their table to doe that. They reioyce in the merry world, whilest they haue ease, and plenty; they looke for no other, but wish it alwaies so:
- 1Distrust.
- 2Jn adversity.Jn aduersitie.
- 3Jmpatient.
- 4Obstinate.
- 5Loathsome guests.
- 6Jnward corruptions in prosperity. No thankfulness.Jnward corruptions in prosperitie. No thankefulnesse.
- 7Carnal rejoicing.Carnall reioycing.
