From whence the Note and Point is,1 That which is a mans own way he is very ready to trust in, to make much of; Whatsoever is a mans own way: we have for this a notable Scripture in the Book of Judges, 2. 19. 2Oh the strength of spirit that there is in men when the way is their own, saith the text there, They cease not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. I beseech you observe it, 'tis but a several expression, own doings, and own way, the doings were their own, such things as they had contrived to themselves, Their own way; and then they ceased not from, they would stick to their own way, they were stubborn in their way because their way was their own,3 Prov▪ 12. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth to counsel, is wise. A fool, one that understands little, yet if the way be his own, he will not hearken to counsel, he thinks he is sure, he needs not counsel with any, he is so strong in it because it is his own way. It's a hard thing to get men out of that way that they have contrived to themselves in matters of Religion: and therefore it's observable what God saith of all the Heathen in Jer. 2. 10, 11. 4Have any of the Nations changed their gods? but my people hath (saith he.) No Nation would change their gods whom they had chose, only Gods People they were peculiar in this to make change of their God: Why? because the gods of the Nations were of their own making.5 What ways are of mens own that they stick exceeding much to, They trusted in their own way; as when an object is too near the eye,6 the eye is not able to see it, to see any evil in it; If a foul thing be put too near the eye, the eye cannot see it: so the evil that is near ones self, very near, that is ones own, that is very hard to see; and yet ⟨p. 494⟩what great difference is it between ones being defiled by ones own dung, and by the dung of another? If a mans heart be engaged in a way of his own, he will be ready to father it upon God himself, and say, It is Gods way, and he will be ready to think that all other ways different from his are mens own.
From whence the Note and Point is,1 That which is a mans own way he is very ready to trust in, to make much of; Whatsoever is a mans own way: we have for this a notable Scripture in the Book of Judges, 2. 19. 2Oh the strength of spirit that there is in men when the way is their own, saith the text there, They cease not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. I beseech you observe it, 'tis but a several expression, own doings, and own way, the doings were their own, such things as they had contriv'd to themselves, Their own way; and then they ceased not from, they would stick to their own way, they were stubborn in their way because their way was their own,3 Prov▪ 12. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth to counsel, is wise. A fool, one that understands little, yet if the way be his own, he will not hearken to counsel, he thinks he is sure, he needs not counsel with any, he is so strong in it because it is his own way. It's a hard thing to get men out of that way that they have contriv'd to themselves in matters of Religion: and therefore it's observable what God saith of all the Heathen in Jer. 2. 10, 11. 4Have any of the Nations changed their gods? but my people hath (saith he.) No Nation would change their gods whom they had chose, only Gods People they were peculiar in this to make change of their God: Why? because the gods of the Nations were of their own making.5 What waies are of mens own that they stick exceeding much to, They trusted in their own way; as when an object is too neer the eye,6 the eye is not able to see it, to see any evil in it; If a foul thing be put too neer the eye, the eye cannot see it: so the evil that is neer ones self, very neer, that is ones own, that is very hard to see; and yet ⟨p. 494⟩what great difference is it between ones being defil'd by ones own dung, and by the dung of another? If a mans heart be engaged in a way of his own, he will be ready to father it upon God himself, and say, It is Gods way, and he will be ready to think that all other waies different from his are mens own.
- 1Obs.
- 2Judg. 2. 19.
- 3Prov. 12. 15.
- 4Jer. 2. 10. 11.
- 5opened.
- 6simile.
