A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

speaketh of knowing Christ after the flesh, and so there is also a knowing of God after the flesh, which is, when we do not things purely and sincerely out of respect to his Name, but for our own profit and benefit: Take heed then of this fleshly frame in thy approaches to God.

speaketh of knowing Christ after the flesh, and so there is also a knowing of God after the flesh, which is, when we doe not things purely and sincerely out of respect to his Name, but for our own profit and benefit: Take heed then of this fleshly frame in thy approaches to God.

Fifthly, The fleshly mind of a man is seen in his spiritual transactions between God and himself, In that he doth wholly conceive and imagine such a God, and Christ, not as the Scripture represents, but as he would have, and doth most suit with his carnal disposition. This is greatly to be observed, for because of this, though they hear never so much of God and Christ, yet because they think them to be such, as they would have a God of their own making, a Christ of their own making, therefore they never truly repent, or turn unto God; for concerning God, they conceive him as altogether merciful; They never think he is a just and holy God; They attend not to the fury and vengeance which the Scripture saith is in him against obstinate and impenitent sinners, but apprehend him to be one that loveth them, and will save them, though they go on in all rebellious ways against him; The Psalmist doth notably speak to this purpose, Psal. 50. 21. where having spoken of such hypocrites, that will come and worship God, though they retain their old lusts, and live in all impurity, he addeth, Thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self; They thought God was not provoked with such abominations, they thought God would not be angry with them, as if he were like themselves: And doth not this still continue true in most profane men? Why is it that they do not tremble under the name and thoughts of God? Why is it that they roar not out with fear, lest God should damn them? Is it not because they make a God like themselves? They love themselves, and acquit themselves, they easily think well of themselves, and therefore they think God will do so also, and thus they do likewise with Christ; They represent him to be a Saviour, and a Saviour only; They consider not that he died to conquer the Devil, to make us a peculiar people, zealous of good works; They attend not to the purifying and cleansing power of Christs death from the strength and power of lusts within, as well as from the guilt and damnation by it, which being so, they can trust in Christ, and put their whole hope in Christ, although they live in all disobedience at the same time, and therefore whereas we might wonder, how profane men can live as they do? Where are their thoughts of God and Christ? Why are they not stricken with astonishment, when they hear of them?