A30242:966
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.
2. This secret sinning puts far more respect and fear upon men, than God. Thou wilt be unjust in secret, thou wilt be unclean in secret: Why? thou art afraid such men know it. Oh thou wicked wretch! Art thou afraid of the eye of a man, and not of a great God? Carest thou not, though God see thee, whereas thou wouldst hide thy self, if man come near thee? Thus thou art a coward to man, but thou bravest it to God; Thou doest in effect say, Though God behold, though God know, though God be acquainted with it, I matter it not. Oh foolish and unwise? Can man damn thee? Can man fill thy conscience with terrors? Can man bid thee depart into everlasting howlings? Why then art thou afraid of man, and not God?
2. This secret sinning puts farre more respect and fear upon men, than God. Thou wilt be unjust in secret, thou wilt be unclean in secret: Why? thou art afraid such men know it. Oh thou wicked wretch! Art thou afraid of the eye of a man, and not of a great God? Carest thou not, though God see thee, whereas thou wouldst hide thy self, if man come near thee? Thus thou art a coward to man, but thou bravest it to God; Thou doest in effect say, Though God behold, though God know, though God be acquainted with it, I matter it not. Oh foolish and unwise? Can man damn thee? Can man fill thy conscience with terrours? Can man bid thee depart into everlasting howlings? Why then art thou afraid of man, and not God?
3. The more secret any wickedness is it argueth the heart is more studious and industrious •bout it, how to contrive it, how to bring it about. Of all Davids sins, that in the matter of Uriah, the Scripture giveth the greatest b•and on it, because it was done with such secrecy. (David did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, save in the matter of Uriah, 1 King 15.5) and premediation Mark Josh. 7.11. how Joshua in Achans sin observed the secrecy, and the dissimulation, and craft used in it. Oh that men and women would consider this thing, God takes notice with how much craft and subtlety you commit your sins, and none never know it!