There are thousands in the world that are worser for the mercies they receive from God, that are like unto a dunghill, the more the Sun of mercy shines upon them, the more they stink and putrefy in all sin. And as the clay is hardened by the Suns shining upon it, so there are many, the more health, the more wealth, the more honour, the more mercy they receive from God, the more they harden their hearts against God; like Eli's two sons, the kindlier their father dealt with them, the worser they were; like Absalom, that as soon as ever his Father received him into Jerusalem, then he began to conspire against him. Of these David 1speaks, Because there are no changes in their lives, therefore they fear not God, because they meet with no crosses; and Psalm. 73. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Because they are not plagued like other men, therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain, they have more then heart can wish, therefore they speak wickedly and loftily, and set their mouths against the Heavens, &c. like Dionysius, that because he prospered in his voyage by sea, after he had robbed a Temple, boasted and said, Behold, how the gods love sacrilege! I beseech you (Right Honourable) let us examine whether we be not guilty of these sins, •or they are such sins which we are all very prone to commit. Hezekiah though a good King, yet he sinned after mercy; when he was recovered of his sickness, his hea•t was lifted up with pride. 2Lots Wife also, as soon as ever she was delivered out of Sodom, began to Apo•tize. N•y L•t himself after he had received so great a mer•y, and had seen so fearful a judgement, yet when he came to Z•r he was drunk, and committed incest, which he never did while he was in Sodom. And Noah also when he came out of the A•ke was made drunk, which he never was when he lived among the wicked in the old World. And David also, when delivered from all his enemies, then he said in 3his prosperity he should never be moved, and then he lay with Bathsheba, and murdered Uriah. And therefore if we be guilty of this sin, Let us be deeply humbled for it before the Lord this day.
There are thousands in the world that are worser for the mercies they receive from God, that are like unto a dunghill, the more the Sunne of mercy shines upon them, the more they stinke and putrifie in all sin. And as the clay is hardned by the Sunnes shining upon it, so there are many, the more health, the more wealth, the more honour, the more mercy they receive from God, the more they harden their hearts against God; like Elies two sonnes, the kindlier their father dealt with them, the worser they were; like Absalom, that as soone as ever his Father received him into Jerusalem, then he began to conspire against him. Of these David 1speakes, Because there are no changes in their lives, therefore they feare not God, because they meet with no crosses; and Psalm. 73. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Because they are not plagued like other men, therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine, they have more then •eart can wish, therefore they speake wickedly and loftily, and set their mouthes against the Heavens, &c. like Dionysius, that because he prospered in his voyage by sea, after he had robbed a Temple, boasted and said, Behold, how the gods love sacri•edge! I beseech you (Right Honorable) let us examine whether we be not guilty of these sinnes, •or they are such sinnes which we are all very prone to commit. Hezeki• though a good King, yet he sinned after mercy; when he was recovered of his sicknesse, his hea•t was lifted up with pride. 2Lots Wife also, as soone as ever she was delivered out of Sodome, began to Apo•tize. N•y L•t himselfe after he had received so great a mer•y, and had seene so fearefull a judgement, yet when he came to Z•r he was drunke, and committed incest, which he never did while he was in Sodome. And Noah also when he came out of the A•ke was made drunke, which he never was when he lived among the wicked in the old World. And David also, when delivered from all his enemies, then he said in 3
- 1Psal. 55. 19
- 22 Chro. 36 22.
- 3Psal. 30. 6.
