A30242:1502
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Again, The thoughts of all men naturally are lies actively, in respect of others. They are full of falsehood and dissimulation: there is no truth or sincerity in men, as David complaineth, Psal. 12. And the Prophet Isaiah complaineth, Every one is an hypocrite, the best is a liar, Isa. 9.17. That as the sheep runneth to the briars to shelter her self in a storm, but they prove a lie, because they tare her in stead of defending her. Thus it is with all men; therefore he is said to be cursed that puts his trust in men, Jer. 17. For unless men have godliness, and so are made sincere and unfeigned, there cannot be any trust in them. Hence are those Rules of wise men, Nemini fidas, in teipso spes tuas pone.
Again, The thoughts of all men naturally are lies actively, in respect of others. They are full of falshood and dissimulation: there is no truth or sincerity in men, as David complaineth, Psal. 12. And the Prophet Isaiah complaineth, Every one is an hypocrite, the best is a liar, Isa. 9.17. That as the sheep runneth to the briars to shelter her self in a storm, but they prove a lie, because they tare her in stead of defending her. Thus it is with all men; therefore he is said to be cursed that puts his trust in men, Jer. 17. For unlesse men have godlinesse, and so are made sincere and unfeigned, there cannot be any trust in them. Hence are those Rules of wise men, Nemini fidas, in teipso spes tuas pone.
Fourthly, Vanity is often in Scripture used for that which is unprofitable, without any benefit or success. Hence is that phrase, To labour in vain. And thus the Philosophers also define vanity, A frustration of our intended end. Now in every thing that a man doth, till made wise in an heavenly manner, there is nothing but vanity, there is no true profit or good success, but in all things he labours with wind, and brings forth wind. The Prophet Hosea expresseth it well, They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind,