1And we have deserved to be cast into this estate, by reason that we left our subordination and dependence upon God; which being creatures, we should have had. Therefore we turning from God to the creature, God punisheth our rebellion to him, with rebellion in our selves; because we withdrew our subjection from him, that therefore there should be in us a withdrawing of the subjection of sin, and of the whole soul to God. So this captivity to, and giving up to sin in us, it is penal, and sinful; but as it comes from God, it is merely judicial. Therefore we have it oft in the New Testament, in Rom. 1. & 2 Thess. 2The Gentiles, because they would not entertain the Truth that they might have had by the light of Nature, God gave them up to their sins. And then the Christians, after the Apostles times, they set slight by the good Word of God, the Gospel, therefore God gave them up to believe lies. It was sin in them; but as God gave them up, it was justice. ⟨p. 9⟩So this captivity, and giving men up to their own lusts, it is justice, as it comes from God, it is a horrible judgement; it is worse, then to be given up to the Devil himself: for by being given up to our lusts, we increase our damnation. To be given up to be tormented of the Devil, it is not such a mischief, as this spiritual captivity under sin: we are guilty our selves, of our own thraldom. And this will increase both the shame, and the punishment: The shame, that a man shall say in Hell afterward; I have brought my self hither, I had means enow, prohibitions enow; I had sometimes chastisements of God, sometimes motions of his Spirit, sometimes one help from God, sometimes another: yet notwithstanding I brake through all oppositions that God set between me, and the execution of my lusts, and to Hell-ward I would; and hither I have brought my self. So that indeed, the greatest part of Hell torment, the shame of them especially it will be, that men have brought themselves by their own wits and carnal lusts, thither. And indeed, all the wit a carnal man hath that is not sanctified by Gods Spirit, it is to work himself to misery, to be a drudge to his lusts; that sets all the parts he hath on work, not how he may serve God, and be happy in another world; but how he may prowl & provide for his own carnal lusts.3
1And we have deserved to be cast into this estate, by reason that we left our subordination and dependance upon God; which being creatures, we should have had. Therefore we turning from God to the creature, God punisheth our rebellion to him, with rebellion in our selves; because we withdrew our subjection from him, that therefore there should be in us a withdrawing of the subjection of sinne, and of the whole soule to God. So this captivitie to, and giving up to sinne in us, it is penall, and sinfull; but as it comes from God, it is meerely judiciall. Therefore we have it oft in the New Testament, in Rom. 1. & 2 Thess. 2The Gentiles, because they would not entertaine the Truth that they might have had by the light of Nature, God gave them up to their sinnes. And then the Christians, after the Apostles times, they set slight by the good Word of God, the Gospel, therefore God gave them up to beleeve lyes. It was sinne in them; but as God gave them up, it was justice. ⟨p. 9⟩So this captivitie, and giving men up to their owne lusts, it is justice, as it comes from God, it is a horrible judgement; it is worse, then to be given up to the Devill himselfe: for by being given up to our lusts, we encrease our damnation. To be given up to be tormented of the Devill, it is not such a mischiefe, as this spirituall captivitie under sinne: we are guiltie our selves, of our owne thraldome. And this will encrease both the shame, and the punishment: The shame, that a man shall say in Hell afterward; I have brought my selfe hither, I had meanes enow, prohibitions enow; I had sometimes chastisements of God, sometimes motions of his Spirit, sometimes one helpe from God, sometimes another: yet notwithstanding I brake through all oppositions that God set betweene me, and the execution of my lusts, and to Hell-ward I would; and hither I have brought my selfe. So that indeed, the greatest part of Hell torment, the shame of them especially it will be, that men have brought themselves by their owne wits and carnall lusts, thither. And indeed, all the wit a carnall man hath that is not sanctified by Gods Spirit, it is to worke himselfe to miserie, to be a drudge to his lusts; that sets all the parts he hath on work, not how he may serve God, and be happie in another world; but how he may proule & provide for his owne carnall lusts.3
- 1Justice in God, to give up men to their sins.Iustice in God, to give up men to their sinnes.
- 2Rom. 1. 2 Thess.
- 3The misery of being under sin.The miserie of being under sinne.
