The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

First, Because it's a presumptuous tempting of God. For as in providential things, if a man should argue thus, Man liveth not by bread, but the Word of Gods mouth; Clothes and food are nothing, if God do not give the blessing. If a man upon this Argument should neglect all secondary helps, Would it not be a presumptuous tempting of God? You know how angry God was with Ahaz; The Prophet promised unexpected deliverance to Israel, and proffered a sign, to confirm this; No (saith Ahaz) I will not tempt God, I will ask no sign, Isai. 7.12. You might think this had been great faith, but it was great presumption, he tempted God, while he said, he would not: Thou mayest think, this is high and raised Godliness, to have Christ only, and the Spirit only thy teachers: but if thou doest this, to exclude his instituted means, thou doest tempt God.

First, Because it's a presumptuous tempting of God. For as in providential things, if a man should argue thus, Man liveth not by bread, but the Word of Gods mouth; Cloathes and food are nothing, if God do not give the blessing. If a man upon this Argument should neglect all secondary helps, Would it not be a presumptuous tempting of God? You know how angry God was with Ahaz; The Prophet promised unexpected deliverance to Israel, and profered a signe, to confirme this; No (saith Ahaz) I will not tempt God, I will aske no signe, Isai. 7.12. You might think this had been great faith, but it was great presumption, he tempted God, while he said, he would not: Thou mayest think, this is high and raised Godlinesse, to have Christ onely, and the Spirit onely thy teachers: but if thou doest this, to exclude his instituted meanes, thou doest tempt God.

Secondly, It's great pride of heart, and disobedient unthankfulness to God, and that against his goodness and wisdom. It's Gods great goodness, that he hath appointed men of the same mould with us, to deliver his Embassage. The people of Israel, when the Law was given, could not bear the expressions of Gods Majesty; and if God had appeared at any time, they thought they should die presently. Now God knowing our frailty and weakness, did appoint men of the same nature and passions with us; and for thee to neglect this, is to be horribly unthankful. And then the wisdom of God is much magnified, by the foolishness of preaching, as the Apostle calls it (in the account of humane wisdom) to save them; and thereupon he amplifieth Gods wisdom, that chooseth vile and contemptible things to confound the mighty and wise things of the world,