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

I say, when the spirits of men are biassed by seeing the strength of the Kingdom go in a way, though (perhaps) they may have some good lie at their hearts, yet there is that corruption in mans heart that except we can make the other way so clear, that notwithstanding all shifts, and all kind of reasonings that may be, they shall be self-condemned in their own consciences, that their consciences shall tell them, they go directly against their light, I say, except we can come thus, we cannot prevail with mens hearts, when the sway of a Kingdom goes another way. And there are many Truths of God that concerns his Worship, that cannot be made so clear but that a man may have such a diversion to satisfy his conscience in this, That I in going another way, do not go against my conscience; God would have us, that what is most likely to be his mind that way to go, without any consideration of any outward respects. Now if there be a temptation for outward respects that they will come into the balance, do but turn the balance; and suppose in your own heart that all outward respects were in the other balance, that all the mighty men were of the other way, what would your hearts think?¹ In Revel. 13. 3. That when Power and Authority was given unto Antichrist, The whole World wondered after her. So it is ordinary, that way that the mighty men go, that way mens hearts will generally go. Oh! the little honour that Jesus Christ hath by us! Our hearts are swayed for the most part by carnal Arguments, and carnal Motives.

I say, when the spirits of men are byassed by seeing the strength of the Kingdom go in a way, though (perhaps) they may have some good lie at their hearts, yet there is that corruption in mans heart that except we can make the other way so cleer, that notwithstanding all shifts, and all kind af reasonings that may be, they shal be self-condemned in their own consciences, that their consciences shall tell them, they go directly against their light, I say, except we can come thus, we cannot prevail with mens hearts, when the sway of a Kingdom goes another way. And there are many Truths of God that concerns his Worship, that cannot be made so cleer but that a man may have such a diversion to satisfie his conscience in this, That I in going another way, do not go against my conscience; God would have us, that what is most likely to be his mind that way to go, without any consideration of any outward respects. Now if there be a temptation for outward respects that they will come into the ballance, do but turn the ballance; and suppose in your own heart that all outward respects were in the other ballance, that all the mightie men were of the other way, what would your hearts think?