6. Nay, let a Minister preach but any such doctrine as seems consequentially to be against Self, and to conclude hardly of them, and they are ready to say as Ahab of Micaiah [I hate him: for he prophesieth not good of me, but evil,] 1 Kings 22. 8. Let us but tell them how few will be saved; what holiness and striving and diligence is necessary, though we have the express word of God for it, Heb. 12. 14. Mat. 7. 13, 14. Luke 13. 24. 2 Pet. 1. 10. yet because they think that it makes against their carnal peace, they cannot abide it: Plain truth is unwelcome to them, because it is rough, and grates upon the quick, and tells them of that which is troublesome to know: Though they ⟨p. 56⟩must know their sin and danger and misery, or else they can never scape it; yet they had rather venture on Hell, than hear the danger. And as a sottish Patient, they love that Physician better that will tell them there is no danger, and let them dye, than he that will tell them, [your disease is dangerous; you must bleed or vomit, or purge, or you will dye] O what a wrong they take it to be told thus? If a Minister tell one of them that hath the death marks of ungodliness in the face of his Conversation [Neighbour, I must deal plainly with you: your state is sad: you are unsanctified and unjustified, and in the slavery of the Devil, and will be lost for ever, if you dye before you are converted and made a new creature; and therefore turn presently as you love your soul,] its ten to one but he should have a reproachful answer instead of thanks and obedience. And all this shows that self bears the rule. I will give one instance from the Gospel, that will tell you plainly the power of self. In Luke 4. 20. &c. you read of an excellent Sermon preached by Jesus Christ himself, so that all did wonder at his gracious words: yet few were converted by it, but they fell on cavilling against him because of his supposed Parentage and Breeding: Whereupon Christ telleth them that Elijah and Elisha though most excellent Prophets, were sent but for the sake of a few, and therefore it was no wonder if of all that multitude it was but a few that should be converted and saved by him. This very doctrine so nettled these wretches, that the Text saith, ver. 28, 29.
6. Nay, let a Minister preach but any such doctrine as seems consequentially to be against Self, and to conclude hardly of them, and they are ready to say as Ahab of Micaiah [I hate him: for he prophesieth not good of me, but evil,] 1 Kings 22. 8. Let us but tell them how few will be saved; what holiness and striving and diligence is necessary, though we have the express word of God for it, Heb. 12. 14. Mat. 7. 13, 14. Luke 13. 24. 2 Pet. 1. 10. yet because they think that it makes against their carnal peace, they cannot abide it: Plain truth is unwelcome to them, because it is rough, and grates upon the quick, and tells them of that which is troublesome to know: Though they ⟨p. 56⟩must know their sin and danger and misery, or else they can never scape it; yet they had rather venture on Hell, than hear the danger. And as a sortish Patient, they love that Physitian better that will tell them there is no danger, and let them dye, than he that will tell them, [your discase is dangerous; you must bleed or vomit, or purge, or you will dye] O what a wrong they take it to be told thus? If a Minister tell one of them that hath the death marks of ungodliness in the face of his Conversation [Neighbour, I must deal plainly with you: your state is sad: you are unsanctified and unjustified, and in the slavery of the Devil, and will be lost for ever, if you dye before you are converted and made a new creature; and therefore turn presently as you love your soul,] its ten to one but he should have a reproachful answer instead of thanks and obedience. And all this shews that self bears the rule. I will give one instance from the Gospel, that will tell you plainly the power of self. In Luke 4. 20. &c. you read of an excellent Sermon preached by Jesus Christ himself, so that all did wonder at his gracious words: yet few were converted by it, but they fell on cavilling against him because of his supposed Parentage and Breeding: Whereupon Christ telleth them that Elias and Elisha though most excellent Prophets, were sent but for the sake of a few, and therefore it was no wonder if of all that multitude it was but a few that should be converted and saved by him. This very doctrine so netled these wretches, that the Text saith, ver. 28, 29.
