It is the proper nature of wickedness,1 to encumber and cast men into perplexities: neither will God spare his own people, when they take liberty in provoking his majesty; but either they shall be straited in their own hearts, or else in regard of outward calamities, or both: and though the Lord will not condemn them, yet will he afflict them. Jehoshaphat was so foolish, that he would make affinity with Ahab: and lest he should break off that league of friendship that was between them, he would adventure (contrary to the express word of the Lord) to go against Ramoth Gilead to battle with him: now was not he in an exceeding great straight, when the main force of the battle was bent ⟨p. 38⟩against him, being supposed to be the King of Israel, concerning whom a command was given to the Captains by the King of Aram, 2that they should fight against none, neither small nor great, but only against the King of Israel? Yet would not Jehoshaphat take warning by this: but after that he had been rebuked by Jehu the Prophet, for helping the wicked, 3and loving them that hated the Lord, he yet joined with Jehoram the King of Israel, against the King of Moab: but was his success any better then before? No surely: for howsoever they had the victory over the Moabites with much difficulty, yet before that was effected, he was in a greater straight, then when he went against Ramoth Gilead: for there his own person only was endangered: but here both he and his people, together with two Kings and their armies besides, were like to perish for want of water. A further proof of this point we have in Jonah, who discoursing with his own reason, thought it would be to no purpose, but very dangerous for him to go to preach at Nineveh, and therefore refused to yield to the Commandment of the Lord. But what woeful distress did this disobedience bring him into, when being in that sore tempest, the sea did roar, his conscience accuse him, men were against him, God was against him, and there was no way for him, but to be thrown into the sea, and there to remain three days and three nights in the belly of a whale?4
It is the proper nature of wickednesse,1 to encomber and cast men into perplexities: neither will God spare his owne people, when they take libertie in prouoking his maiestie; but either they shall be straited in their owne hearts, or else in regard of outward calamities, or both: and though the Lord will not condemne them, yet will he afflict them. Iehoshaphat was so foolish, that he would make affinitie with Ahab: and lest he should breake off that league of friendship that was betweene them, he would aduenture (contrary to the expresse word of the Lord) to goe against Ramoth Gilead to battle with him: now was not he in an exceeding great straight, when the maine force of the battle was bent ⟨p. 38⟩against him, being supposed to be the King of Israel, concerning whom a command was giuen to the Captaines by the King of Aram, 2that they should fight against none, neither small nor great, but onely against the King of Israel? Yet would not Iehoshaphat take warning by this: but after that he had beene rebuked by Iehu the Prophet, for helping the wicked, 3and louing them that hated the Lord, he yet ioyned with Iehoram the King of Israel, against the King of Moab: but was his successe any better then before? No surely: for howsoeuer they had the victorie ouer the Moabites with much difficultie, yet before that was effected, he was in a greater straight, then when he went against Ramoth Gilead: for there his owne person onely was endangerd: but heere both he and his people, together with two Kings and their armies besides, were like to perish for want of water. A further proofe of this point we haue in Ionah, who discoursing with his owne reason, thought it would be to no purpose, but very dangerous for him to goe to preach at Niniue, and therefore refused to yeeld to the Commandement of the Lord. But what wofull distresse did this disobedience bring him into, when being in that sore tempest, the sea did roare, his conscience accuse him, men were against him, God was against him, and there was no way for him, but to be throwne into the sea, and there to remaine three daies and three nights in the belly of a whale?4
- 1Doct. 1. Sin brings men into straits.Doct. 1. Sinne brings men into straits.
- 21. King. 22. 31. 32.
- 32. King. 3.
- 4Judges. 16.Iudges. 16.
