First, Carnal hearts rejoice and bless themselves in their outward present prosperity, in their Health, Strength, Friends, as if all were well with them, although they be under much guiltiness, though there be fearful breaches between God and their souls, and how things are between God and them they care not, so be it all may be well with them for outward things; this is the guise for carnal hearts, they are presently upon the merry pin, and rejoice and delight much if so be that thy may have but any prosperity, though but for a while, if there be no punishment of sin upon them the guilt and pollution of sin never troubles them.1 Saith Augustin in his twelfth Tract. upon John, The joy of the world is nothing else but their wickedness unpunished; if God do not punish them presently then they have a great deal of joy.2 And in Amos, 6. 4. there you have the description of the people of Israel more at large (for Amos prophesied in the same time that Hosea did) They lie upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the Lambs our of the flock, 3and the Calves out of the midst of the stall, that chant to the sound of the Viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David, that drink Wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments; but they are not ⟨p. 140⟩grieved for the afflictions of Joseph. Well; have not you more reason, you afflicted and distressed Saints, to rejoice in God without the world, than they have to rejoice in the world without God? shall not all the wrath of God that hangs over the heads of wicked men, and all the guilt there is upon them damp their joy when they have but meat, and drink, and clothe, and a little outward prosperity, and shall the loss of a few creature comforts, such as many Reprobates have to the full, damp your joy, when you have an interest in all there is in God, in Christ, in the World, in Heaven, in Eternity? when all this is the matter of your joy, what an unreasonable thing is this?
First, Carnal hearts rejoyce and bless themselves in their outward present prosperity, in their Health, Strength, Friends, as if all were wel with them, although they be under much guiltiness, though there be fearful breaches between God and their souls, and how things are between God and them they care not, so be it all may be well with them for outward things; this is the guize for carnal hearts, they are presently upon the merry pin, and rejoyce and delight much if so be that thy may have but any prosperity, though but for a while, if there be no punishment of sin upon them the guilt and polution of sin never troubles them.1 Saith Augustin in his twelfth Tract. upon John, The joy of the world is nothing else but their wickedness unpunished; if God do not punish them presently then they have a great deal of joy.2 And in Amos, 6. 4. there you have the discription of the people of Israel more at large (for Amos prophesied in the same time that Hosea did) They lie upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the Lambs our of the flock, 3and the Calves out of the midst of the stall, that chaunt to the sound of the Viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick like David, that drink Wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief oyntments; but they are not ⟨p. 140⟩grieved for the afflictions of Joseph. Well; have not you more reason, you afflicted and distressed Saints, to rejoyce in God without the world, than they have to rejoyce in the world without God? shall not all the wrath of God that hangs over the heads of wicked men, and all the guilt there is upon them damp their joy when they have but meat, and drink, and cloath, and a little outward prosperity, and shall the loss of a few creature comforts, such as many Reprobates have to the full, damp your joy, when you have an interest in all there is in God, in Christ, in the World, in Heaven, in Eternity? when all this is the matter of your joy, what an unreasonable thing is this?
- 1Seculi laetitia, est impunita nequitia.
- 2Aug. in John. tract. 12.
- 3Amos 6. 4.
