And what is the disposition of these some?1 to have a countermotion to those of the times and places they live in. Some are foolish, not caring for the ways of God, cavilling at them. But the just shall walk in them; that is, they take a contrary course to the world that slights wisdom. Thus in all times it is the disposition of Gods children to go contrary to the world in the greatest matters of all. They indeed hold ⟨p. 458⟩correspondency in outward things, but for the main, they have a contrary motion. As we say of the Planets, that they have a motion contrary to the wrapped motion, being carried and hurried about every twenty four hours with the motion of the Heavens: they have an other motion and circuit of their own which they pass also. So it is with Gods people, though in their common carriage they be carried with the common customs and fashions of the times: yet they have a contrary motion of their own, whereby being carried by the help of Gods Spirit they go on in a way to Heaven though the world discern it not, they have a secret contrary motion opposite to the sins and corruptions of the age and times they live in. Therefore in all ages it is observed for a commendation to go on in a contrary course to the present times.2 Noah in his time, Lot in his time, and Paul in his time, who complains All men seek their own: 3it is a strange thing that Paul should complain of all men seeking their own, even then when the blood of Christ was so warm, being so lately shed, and the Gospel so spread: yet all men seek their own. And he speaks it with tears, but what became of Paul and Timothy and the rest?4 But our conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, &c. Let all men seek their own here below as they will, we have our conversation contrary to the world. Our conversation is in Heaven, &c. So that they ⟨p. 459⟩hold out Gods Truth in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that is when every man takes crooked ways and courses in carnal policy, yet there are a company that notwithstanding walk in the right ways of God clean contrary to others. The just will walk in the right ways of God. As holy Joshua said, Choose you what you will do, 5but howsoever I and my fathers house will serve the Lord.
And what is the disposition of these some?1 to have a countermotion to those of the times and places they live in. Some are foolish, not caring for the wayes of God, cavilling at them. But the just shall walke in them; that is, they take a contrary course to the world that slights wisedome. Thus in all times it is the disposition of Gods children to goe contrary to the world in the greatest matters of all. They indeed hold ⟨p. 458⟩correspondency in outward things, but for the maine, they have a contrary motion. As we say of the Planets, that they have a motion contrary to the wrapt motion, being carried and hurried about every twenty foure houres with the motion of the Heavens: they have an other motion and circuit of their owne which they passe also. So it is with Gods people, though in their common carriage they be carried with the common customes and fashions of the times: yet they have a contrary motion of their owne, whereby being carried by the helpe of Gods Spirit they goe on in a way to Heaven though the world discerne it not, they have a secret contrary motion opposite to the sinnes and corruptions of the age and times they live in. Therefore in all ages it is observed for a commendation to goe on in a contrary course to the present times.2 Noah in his time, Lot in his time, and Paul in his time, who complaines All men seeke their owne: 3it is a strange thing that Paul should complaine of all men seeking their owne, even then when the blood of Christ was so warme, being so lately shed, and the Gospell so spread: yet all men seeke their owne. And he speakes it with teares, but what became of Paul and Timothy and the rest?4 But our conversation is in Heaven from whence we looke for the Saviour, the Lord Iesus Christ, &c. Let all men seeke their owne here below as they will, we have our conversation contrary to the world. Our conversation is in Heaven, &c. So that they ⟨p. 459⟩hold out Gods Truth in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that is when every man takes crooked wayes and courses in carnall pollicie, yet there are a company that notwithstanding walke in the right wayes of God cleane contrary to others. The just will walke in the right wayes of God. As holy Ioshua said, Choose you what you will doe, 5
- 1The disposition of just men in their places.
- 2Gen 6. Gen 18.
- 3Phil. 2.21.
- 4Phil 3.20.
- 5Josh. 14.15.
