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…

2. God doth subdue not only the Devil without, but also that corruption within, which doth vehemently incline to unbelieving, vexing and tormenting thoughts. For although a man naturally be in security, in self-ease and carnal presumption, yet when once awakened for sin, and feeling the terror of the Lord thereby, then we are as peevish, as froward against the promises, as ever formerly we were against the precepts; Adam endeavours to hide himself from God upon his sin. We see in Cain and Judas, what sad and dreadful effects the guilt of conscience would work in every one, did not God command those winds and tempests to be still. Therefore God doth repress these, and thereby we are more ready for comfort.

2. God doth subdue not onely the Devil without, but also that corruption within, which doth vehemently incline to unbelieving, vexing and tormenting thoughts. For although a man naturally be in security, in self-ease and carnal presumption, yet when once awakened for sinne, and feeling the terrour of the Lord thereby, then we are as peevish, as froward against the promises, as ever formerly we were against the precepts; Adam endeavours to hide himself from God upon his sinne. We see in Cain and Judas, what sad and dreadfull effects the guilt of conscience would work in every one, did not God command those winds and tempests to be still. Therefore God doth repress these, and thereby we are more ready for comfort.

3. God doth by his grace prevent and keep us from sin, he daily preserveth us from many sad falls, which if plunged into, we should presently chase away all our comfort. When David was left, and fell into those gross sins, all his joy was immediately lost; therefore he complaineth of his broken bones, and prayeth for joy to be restored to him; what horror, what hell would quickly be raised in thy soul every day, every night, upon every temptation? Did not the grace of God preserve thee? Spira lost all comfort by Apostasy? And thus many Christians did in times of persecution, in a great measure by their revolt, though they recovered again. Therefore little doest thou know, how much God worketh for thy comfort by preventing such sins, which would make horrible wounds and gashes in thy soul.