CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

First, This work of the Ministry is contrary to the Nature and inclination of the world. That as the Sun is burdensome to the Owl, and other night-birds, and sweet smells to swinish creatures. Thus is the glorious Gospel, and the precious favour thereof abominable to corrupt men: They can no more love godly and holy preaching, then fire and water can agree; therefore the more thy heart and tongue is set against it, the more thou discoverest that hell, which is in the bottom of thy heart. Now the true preaching of the Word of God is contrary unto the world in these respects, 1. The very nature and frame of their hearts, admits not of Christs word, till regenerated. The old house must be pulled down even with the very foundation of it. Thus Jam. 1. God is said to beget by his Word, and our Saviour here, Sanctify them by thy truth. Now this is directly contrary to mans nature, to account all that he is, and all that he doth damnable, to judge every thing he hath done fit fuel for hell, so as to have no comfort in any thing he hath done. It was a mystery to Nicodemus, a master of Israel, but it's not only a mystery to natural men, it's that which they hated, they cannot abide; For Solomon saith, Every mans way is clean in his own eyes, Prov. 16.2. To come then to people, and tell them you are all out of the way to Heaven; There is nothing good in you, unless you be new creatures, even all new, you cannot be saved; new hearts, new affections, new thoughts, Will not this be a two-edged sword in their hearts? Shall they leave their former course? Shall not they speed as well as others? This is a Doctrine not to be born, this is durus Sermo, when indeed they are duri auditors, and so let not the Word have that penetrating power it would.

First, This work of the Ministry is contrary to the Nature and inclination of the world. That as the Sunne is burdensome to the Owl, and other night-birds, and sweet smels to swinish creatures. Thus is the glorious Gospel, and the precious favour thereof abominable to corrupt men: They can no more love godly and holy preaching, then fire and water can agree; therefore the more thy heart and tongue is set against it, the more thou discoverest that hell, which is in the bottome of thy heart. Now the true preaching of the Word of God is contrary unto the world in these respects, 1. The very nature and frame of their hearts, admits not of Christs word, till regenerated. The old house must be pulled down even with the very foundation of it. Thus