Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

CHAP. XIII. The evil of an ill choice, discovered.

IN the third place, hence those are justly rebuked, ¹who have made an ill choice: this was a blessed choice of Moses, and whosoever makes this choice, are blessed of the Lord; but how few have we of Moses his mind? it is a woeful choice that many make. Most people are offended at the afflictions of Gods people, their hearts are set upon pleasure and delight, and pleasure they must have; pleasure to the ²flesh is that they choose, and that they follow after; but as for the afflicted ways of godliness, they cannot relish them, their carnal sensual hearts do turn aside from them, they give themselves up to the pleasures of the flesh, and satisfy themselves in the enjoyment of their hearts desires, and God does give them up likewise to their own lusts, to let them have their choice; so that they shall spend their time in mirth and jollity, in eating and drinking, and gaming, and in this they bless themselves, as those who have wisely provided for themselves, to make their lives so full of comfort, and soul-content as they imagine: these are set upon carnal, frothy, sensual things; as if the chief good and happiness of man consisted in them, and therefore they give themselves liberty in them, to the utmost.

IN the third place, hence those are justly rebuked, ¹who have made an ill choice: this was a blessed choice of Moses, and whosoever makes this choice, are blessed of the Lord; but how few have we of Moses his minde? it is a woful choice that many make. Most people are offended at the afflictions of Gods people, their hearts are set upon pleasure and delight, and pleasure they must have; pleasure to the ²flesh is that they choose, and that they follow after; but as for the afflicted ways of godliness, they cannot relish them, their carnal sensual hearts do turn aside from them, they give themselves up to the pleasures of the flesh, and satisfie themselves in the enjoyment of their hearts desires, and God does give them up likewise to their own lusts, to let them have their choice; so that they shall spend their time in mirth and jollity, in eating and drinking, and gaming, and in this they bless themselves, as those who have wisely provided for themselves, to make their lives so full of comfort, and soul-content as they imagine: these are set upon carnal, frothy, sensual things; as if the chief good and happiness of man consisted in them, and therefore they give themselves liberty in them, to the utmost.