An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth, & tenth chapters of…

Thus they trusted in their way, they please themselves, and one another, and did seek to harden themselves, and one another in their way, they have got the day, no question they have laid all upon their backs that have opposed them, there's a great deal more reason for this way than for any other. There's no way of peace to the State, ⟨p. 493⟩to the Kingdom, but this, that which others would have, namely to go to Jerusalem to worship, it's a most unreasonable way. Yea, they think that God is well pleased with their way, and they do good service in opposing and persecuting those that are not of their way; Thus they trust in their way.

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