An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

But though this be so, yet the godly are many times deceived in themselves and about others, and that because they judge according to outward appearance.

Fourthly, Then are the people of God apt to be deceived about themselves, ¹When they yield too much, or give too much credit to the strong affections, and raised zeal, as they think, for the glory of God. In such particulars they have many times failed as men, yea so as they have sinned thereby, and offended God. Thus Peter did exceedingly fail, Matth. 16. 23. when out of his great affection to his Master, he said, Master, save thy self; What a severe reproof did his humane affections meet with? Get thee behind me Satan, for thou savourest not the things of God, but of man. Little did Peter expect such words for that which he thought was his good will, if not piety to Christ. The like also we find in those Disciples, Luke 9. 55. when they would have fire come from Heaven to be avenged on the Samaritans, because they would not receive Christ; for there Christ gave them a check, saying, Ye know not what spirit ye are of. They thought that to be a Divine Spirit, they thought the same heavenly breathing and motion to be upon them, as was upon Elijah; but (alas) they did not know what spirit it was. We find also Paul deceived, or at least forbidden in some passages which he thought greatly promoting the glory of God, Act. 16. 6. Paul was forbidden to preach the Word in Asia, which implieth a desire and an attempt in him to do it. And vers. 7. Paul essayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered him not. And often he purposed to come to the Churches he had planted. And although he saith in one place, 1 Thess. 2. 18. I Paul would have come to you once and again, but Satan hindered; yet Satan could not have hindered, had not God permitted him. So that though Satan hindered Paul sinfully, yet God did hinder him justly, and for wise ends. Which instances show, what vehement affections the godly may have, and that as they think for Gods glory, when yet God disposeth far otherwise. So that as God may sometimes for just and holy