Terror for sinful men, whose consciences be at all times §3ready to assail them. Natural courage will not help them in the time of extremity: how many seeming very valiant, as Saul for example, have through desperate fear, laid violent hands upon their own bodies. And let power and courage concur together, yet both will be insufficient to strengthen a heart that Gods judgement, and their own guiltiness do weaken. As Belshazzar being bold to defy Cyrus, and to bid battle to the Lord himself, profaning his holy vessels in despite of him: yet now in the middest of jollity, amongst his friends, in his own house, in a strong city, guarded with an host of armed soldiers, he was so frighted, and terrified, that his countenance was changed, his heart was resolved into dastardliness, the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against an other. And what was it that so daunted him? the sight of an hand, writing upon the wall. There were neither more enemies, nor fewer friends, nor any other alteration then before, but God wakened his conscience, and his conscience showed him his guiltiness, and altogether threatened his destruction, and hereby his great courage was so quickly killed. And this also may serve to take away the vain confidence of foolish men that be bold to commit iniquity, & yet look to escape the reproach of it: hoping ⟨p. 76⟩never to be found out. But they forget that the Apostle saith that mens sins come to light in divers manners, some presently upon the fact, some long after: some in their life time, some after they be dead, some reserved to the last day: but so that all shall certainly be manifested one day. Cain had as fair possibility 1and likelihood to cover his cruelty, as ever any sinner had, or possibly can have to conceal his offences, no man but himself knowing of it, no circumstances being to sift it out by, if he would keep his own counsel; and yet what fact almost is more notoriously known, and published, and that with detestation, then his murdering of Abel? And it is not to be imputed to his own silliness, or carelessness of his name and credit, as though negligently he had discovered it himself; for he would have hid it from the Lord, & consequently from all men, if he could have so carried the matter.
Terrour for sinfull men, whose consciences be at all times §3readie to assaile them. Naturall courage will not help them in the time of extremitie: how many seeming very valient, as Saul for example, haue through desperate feare, laide violent hands vpon their owne bodies. And let power and courage concur to gether, yet both wilbe insufficient to strengthen a heart that Gods iudgement, and their owne guiltinesse doe weaken. As Balshazzar being bold to defie Cyrus, and to bid battell to the Lord himselfe, profaning his holy vessells in despight of him: yet now in the middest of iolitie, amongst his friends, in his owne house, in a strong cittie, garded with an hoast of armed souldiers, hee was so frighted, and terrified, that his countenance was changed, his heart was resolued into dastardlinesse, the ioyntes of his loynes were loosed, and his knees smote one against an other. And what was it that so danted him? the sight of an hand, writing vpon the wall. There were neither more enemies, nor fewer friends, nor any other alteration then beefore, but God wakened his conscience, and his conscience shewed him his guiltinesse, and altogether threatned his destruction, and heereby his great courage was so quickly killed. And this also may serue to take away the vaine confidence of foolish men that be bold to commit iniquitie, & yet looke to escape the reproach of it: hoping ⟨p. 76⟩neuer to be found out. But they forget that the Apostle saith that mens sinnes come to light in diuers maners, some presently vpon the fact, some long after: some in their life time, some after they be dead, some reserued to the last day: but so that all shall certainely be manifested one day. Caine had as faire possibilitie 1and likelihood to couer his crueltie, as euer any sinner had, or possibly can haue to conceale his offences, no man but himselfe knowing of it, no circumstances beeing to sift it out by, if hee would keepe his owne counsell; and yet what fact almost is more notoriously knowen, and published, and that with detestation, then his murdering of Abel? And it is not to be imputed to his owne sillinesse, or carelesnesse of his name and credit, as though negligently he had discouered it himself; for he would haue hid it from the Lord, & consequently from all men, if he could haue so carryed the matter.
- 11. Tim. 5. 24. 25
