A remedy against private contentions A godly and fruitful sermon on James, 4.1. &c.…A remedy against priuat contentions A godly and fruitfull sermon on Iames, 4.1. &c.…

There is a reason hereof in the Text. It bringeth us out of favour with God, and maketh us enemies unto him: & is it not a dangerous thing for the creature to stand in opposition against his Creator? This spiritual adultery is worse then that against the seventh commandment: for this is against the first Table: that against the second. Besides, when David lived in that sin of adultery, he could not be said to be the enemy of God: but whosoever liveth in this spiritual whoredom, is proclaimed to be the Lords foe. For such do withdraw their hearts from God, and so bring the curse and vengeance of God upon themselves ¹without timely repentance. Therefore it is said, Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee: whether ²it be after pleasures, or commodities, or preferments, about the which almost all the world is set awork, and being so inclined, all that can be devised is little enough, nay too little to please them: they think nothing sufficient that is done for them, and that all should do service to them, & they to none: being as gouty legs that must have all the anointing and binding and looking to, they being able to do nothing again in way of requital.

There is a reason hereof in the Text. It bringeth vs out of fauour with God, and maketh vs enemies vnto him: & is it not a dangerous thing for the creature to stand in opposition against his Creator? This spirituall adulterie is worse then that against the seuenth commandement: for this is against the first Table: that against the second. Besides, when Dauid liued in that sinne of adultery, he could not be said to be the enemie of God: but whosoeuer liueth in this spiritual whoredom, is proclaimed to be the Lords foe. For such doe withdraw their hearts from God, and so bring the curse and vengeance of God vpon themselues ¹without timely repentance. Therefore it is said, Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee: whether ²it be after pleasures, or cōmodities, or preferments, about the which almost all the world is set aworke, and being so inclined, all that can be deuised is little enough, nay too little to please them: they think nothing sufficient that is done for them, and that all should doe seruice to them, & they to none: being as gowtie leggs that must haue all the anointing and binding and looking to, they being able to doe nothing againe in way of requitall.