Reproof and terror of the ungodly, who by loving a sinful §2dark behaviour, do choose to themselves a miserable dark estate. For they that will be the children of darkness by sin and rebellion, shall abide the blackness of darkness, with shame and confusion. Though the Lord cause the sun in the ⟨p. 26⟩firmament, that visible planet to rise upon the wicked aswell as the godly, to minister warmth and light to their bodies for the present, yet he will withhold the shine of his savour from yielding joy and glory to their souls for ever. But in the mean time, say they, who is brightest? who is richest? who is greatest? See whether there be more of them that give themselves to religion, in eminent places and honour, or of them that take their liberty according to the course of the world. Sol. True it is indeed, that most commonly worldlings go before Christians, in earthly preferments, though not always; for by Gods mercy many good men attain also to riches and dignities. But know that your case is lamentable, when you have nothing else to comfort your hearts with but this, that you are wealthy and mighty. What maketh your small candle seem to give you so great light? Because you have bin always shut up in a dark prison, and were never acquainted with the bright beams of Gods gracious presence. But what shall become of you when your candle shall be wasted? when your light shall be extinguished? when your prosperity shall perish? It is certain that all carnal excellency will come to an end, either being blown out by violence, or worn out by time. Remember that Haman had, as it were, a link carried before him, and yet it was put out suddenly, snuff and all, at one blast, and he left in hellish darkness of shame and misery. The king of Babel in greatness was like to Lucifer, the brightest morning1 star, and yet fell from the heaven of his magnificence, and lost all his glory in a moment.
Reproofe and terrour of the vngodly, who by louing a sinfull §2darke behauiour, doe chuse to themselues a miserable darke estate. For they that will be the children of darknesse by sinne and rebellion, shall abide the blacknes of darknesse, with shame and confusion. Though the Lord cause the sunne in the ⟨p. 26⟩firmament, that visible planet to rise vpon the wicked aswell as the godly, to minister warmth and light to their bodies for the present, yet he will withhold the shine of his sauour from yelding ioy and glory to their soules for euer. But in the meane time, say they, who is brightest? who is richest? who is greatest? See whether there be more of them that giue themselues to religion, in eminent places and honour, or of them that take their liberty according to the course of the world. Sol. True it is indeed, that most commonly worldlings goe before Christians, in earthly preferments, though not alwaies; for by Gods mercy many good men attaine also to riches and dignities. But know that your case is lamentable, when you haue nothing else to comfort your hearts with but this, that you are wealthy and mighty. What maketh your small candle seeme to giue you so great light? Because you haue bin alwaies shut vp in a darke prison, and were neuer acquainted with the bright beames of Gods gracious presence. But what shall become of you when your candle shall bee wasted? when your light shall be extinguished? when your prosperity shall perish? It is certaine that all carnall excellency will come to an end, either being blowne out by violence, or worne out by time. Remember that Haman had, as it were, a lynke carried before him, and yet it was put out suddenly, snuffe and all, at one blast, and he left in hellish darknes of shame and misery. The king of Babel in greatnes was like to Lucifer, the brightest morning1 star, and yet fell from the heauen of his magnificence, and lost all his glory in a moment.
- 1Isa 14: 12:
