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…

3. Our trusting and confidence being naturally thus put from God the right ¹object, hence it is that it emptieth it self into many streams, insomuch that we have as many sinful confidences almost as there are Creatures in the world. As the Prophet told the people of Israel, that his gods multiplied according to their Cities, they had as many Idols as such places; so we may enlarge it about carnal confidence, and say, it is according to all the Creatures and comforts we do enjoy. Insomuch that when our Saviour said Mark 10. 24. That it was impossible for such who trust in riches to be saved; the Disciples cry out, Who then can be saved? signifying thereby, that every man hath somewhat he doth trust in, as well as the rich man, his riches: And because particular things do most affect, let us instance in some things which are commonly made the objects of mens trust. And do you apply which of all these thy heart is fixed upon by trusting in it; for thou wilt find whatsoever it is beside God, it will prove a lye to thee; and as they did by imsultation say to Christ, he trusted in God, let him save him; so this will be a true derision at the day of judgement to every man offending this way. Thou didst trust in the power and favour of men, let them save thee from Hell, let them free thee from ⟨p. 304⟩damnation. Another he did put his trust in his wealth, he boasted himself of that, now let thy wealth save thee, let that make thee escape those everlasting torments if they can. Every man hath some thing or other in his heart he trusteth to, as the Ivy that textilis silva, a weaved wood, as Tertullian calls it, cannot grow without some Tree or Wall to lean upon; so neither can the heart of a man move or stir without dependence upon some Creature or other. They did in their Sacrifice for the Muses and Learning offer Ivy to Apollo, to show that Learning would not or could not grow without civill encouragement; yea and the Scripture doth often compare the Church of God to a Vine, and amongst other reasons this may be one, because the Vine cannot grow unless something else bear it up. It is not like other Trees that bear up themselves. Thus both the world and the Church of God, one is like a Vine, the other like Ivy. They cannot like the earth be centred on nothing, there must be suppeditaments to bear them up.