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

The word translated Idols, signifies those things that bring them much labour.¹ And then follows: That they may be cut off, as if he should say, they are at a great deal of charge to undo themselves, many men make their own damnation to be chargeable to them; saith God, They made Idols of silver and gold, that they might be cut off. My end was, that they might be cut off, whatsoever their end was. When we are busied to attain plots, God he may be working even by those very things we bless our selves in, and expect great advantage by, God may in the mean time be working our ruin in them; Oh consider of this, while I am plotting for my self in this and the other thing,² and I am blessing my self in hope of advantage, but Gods Thoughts, and Counsels, and Workings, and Ends may be now cross to mine, even intending my ruin, my eternal ruin, where am I then? Whatsoever we do which evil doth necessarily follow it, is accounted by God, as we brought the evil on ⟨p. 25⟩purpose upon our selves. Surely they set not up silver and gold on intention to destroy themselves, but because destruction doth necessarily follow, therefore God accounts it done on purpose: in Jer. 7. 18. in Pro. 8. 36. All them that hate me, love death: Surely no man loves death: but when you do cast off the instruction of wisdom, you do as much as if you should say, You love death: as here, that they might be cut off. It follows.