Saint Augustine speaketh of three sorts of proud men,(n) unto which from the Apostle, I will add a fourth. First they are proud, Quibus parum est qùod mala faciunt, sed & sua peccata defendere volunt, which make small account of sinning, and will also have an excuse for their sin, like Adam, Aron, Saul, and Jonah. Adam sinned, and cast the fault upon the woman, and she sought to excuse her self by the Serpent,(o) but all would not serve. Aron made a golden calf to be worshipped, and when he did see Moses his zeal and anger against it, he cast the fault upon the people.(p) Saul sinned against God, in laving that which he was commanded ⟨p. 10⟩to destroy. And when he was reproved for it by the Prophet, he straight had his excuse ready: Forsooth the people did it, to offer unto the Lord.(q) And Jonah sent to Nineveh, fled from the commandment of the Lord, and being punished for it, yet he would excuse his sin.(r) And thus do Usurers at this day, common swearers, blasphemers, profaners of the holy Sabbath day, and infinite other sinners, which not only do such things, but with as bad an excuse favour themselves in their own wickedness. And here may be reprooved non residents, dumbe dogs, and Idle Pastors, thieves, &c. But when Christ shall come with his Read rationē, give account of thy Stewardship,(s) It is not Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and done great works, that shall help; much less then any of your excuses. The will of God must be done, or else it shall be said, I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity, into everlasting fire, &c. (t)It was not enough for Israel, neither could they escape Gods wrath by their Templum a•trint, ⟨p. 11⟩Templum domini; nor the Jews with Domine, domine, nor for the Romanists, The Church, the Church; nor for us, The Gospel, the Gospel, the Word, the Word; but we must do works worthy of the Word, worthy of the Gospel, as saith a learned Bishop. How many Kingdoms & Nations hath God cut off for their sin? and shall we escape that do not only commit sin, even with greediness, but also will not stick to defend the doing of it? As the Minister doth such a thing, others do such, and such things, and why may not I? Thus we our selves cause others to blaspheme the worthy calling wherewith we be called:(v)
SAint Augustine speaketh of three sorts of proud men,(n) vnto which frō the Apostle, I wil adde a fourth. First they are proud, Quibus parum est qùod mala faciunt, sed & sua peccata defendere volunt, which make small account of sinning, and will also haue an excuse for their sinne, like Adam, Aron, Saul, and Ionas. Adam sinned, and cast the fault vpon the woman, and shee sought to excuse her selfe by the Serpent,(o) but all would not serue. Aron made a golden calfe to be worshipped, and when he did see Moyses his zeale and anger against it, he cast the fault vpon the people.(p) Saul sinned against God, in lauing that which he was commaunded ⟨p. 10⟩to destroy. And when he was reproued for it by the Prophet, hee straight had his excuse ready: Forsooth the people did it, to offer vnto the Lord.(q) And Ionas sent to Niniuie, fled from the commaundement of the Lord, and being punished for it, yet he would excuse his sinne.(r) And thus do Vsurers at this day, common swearers, blasphemers, prophaners of the holy Saboath day, and infinit other sinners, which not onely do such things, but with as bad an excuse fauour themselues in their owne wickednesse. And here may be reprooued non residents, dumbe dogs, and Idle Pastors, theeues, &c. But when Christ shall come with his Redde rationē, giue account of thy Stewardship,(s) It is not Lord, Lord, haue wee not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out diuels, and done great workes, that shall helpe; much lesse then any of your excuses. The will of God must be done, or else it shall be said, I neuer knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquitie, into euerlasting fire, &c. (t)It was not inough for Israel, neither could they escape Gods wrath by their Templum a•trint, ⟨p. 11⟩Templum domini; nor the Iewes with Domine, domine, nor for the Romanists, The Church, the Church; nor for vs, The Gospell, the Gospell, the Word, the Word; but wee must do workes worthy of the Word, worthy of the Gospell, as saith a learned Bishoppe. How many Kingdomes & Nations hath God cut off for their sinne? and shall we escape that do not only commit sinne, euen with greedinesse, but also will not stick to defend the doing of it? As the Minister doth such a thing, others doo such, and such things, and why may not I? Thus wee our selues cause others to blaspheme the worthy calling wherewith wee be called:
- (n)Aug. in Ps. 93.
- (o)Gen. 3.12.
- (p)Exod. 32 33.34.
- (q)1. Sam. 15.21.
- (r)Jonah. 4.2Ionas. 4.2
- (s)Mat. 25.31.32.
- (t)Math. 7.21.22.23
- (v)Rom. 2.24.
