2. Inconstancy in Will, and Affections opposed to the Immutability of Will in God. We waver between God and Baal; and while we are not only resolving, but upon motion a little way, look back with a hankering after Sodom; Sometimes lifted up with heavenly intentions, and presently cast down with earthly cares; like a Ship that by an advancing Wave seems to aspire to Heaven, and the next fall of the Waves makes it sink down to the Depths. We change Purposes oftener than Fashions; and our Resolutions are like Letters in water, whereof no mark remains: We will be as John to day to love Christ, and as Judas to morrow to betray him, and by an unworthy levity, pass into the Camp of the Enemies of God; resolved to be as holy as Angels in the Morning, when the Evening beholds us as impure as Devils: How often do we hate what before we loved, and shun what before we longed for? And our Resolutions are like Vessels of Crystal, which break at the first knock, are dashed in pieces by the next Temptation. Saul resolved not to persecute David any more, but you soon find him upon his old game. Pharaoh more than once promised, and probably resolved to let Israel go; but at the end of the storm his purposes vanish.* When an Affliction pincheth Men, they intend to change their course; and the next news of ease changes their intentions: Like a Bow, not fully bent in their inclinations, they cannot reach the Mark, but live many years between resolutions of Obedience and affections to Rebellion*: And what promises men make to God are often the fruit of their Passion, their Fear, not of their Will. The Israelites were startled at the terrors wherewith the Law was delivered, and promised obedience*, but a Month after forgot them, and make a Golden Calf, and in the sight of Sinai call for, and dance before their Gods*; Never people more unconstant. Peter who vowed an Allegiance to his Master, and a Courage to stick to him, forswears him almost with the same breath. Those that cry out with a zeal, the Lord he is God, shortly after return to the service of their Idols. *That which seems to be our pleasure this day, is our vexation to morrow: A Fear of a Judgment puts us into a religious pang, and a Love to our Lusts reduceth us to a rebellious inclination; As soon as the danger is over, the Saint is forgotten:
2. Inconstancy in Will, and Affections opposed to the Immutability of Will in God. We waver between God and Baal; and while we are not only resolving, but upon motion a little way, look back with a hankring after Sodom; Sometimes lifted up with heavenly intentions, and presently cast down with earthly cares; like a Ship that by an advancing Wave seems to aspire to Heaven, and the next fall of the Waves makes it sink down to the Depths. We change Purposes oftner than Fashions; and our Resolutions are like Letters in water, whereof no mark remains: We will be as John to day to love Christ, and as Judas to morrow to betray him, and by an unworthy levity, pass into the Camp of the Enemies of God; resolv'd to be as holy as Angels in the Morning, when the Evening beholds us as impure as Devils: How often do we hate what before we loved, and shun what before we longed for? And our Resolutions are like Vessels of Christal, which break at the first knock, are dasht in pieces by the next Temptation. Saul resolved not to persecute David any more, but you soon find him upon his old game. Pharaoh more than once promised, and probably resolved to let Israel go; but at the end of the storm his purposes vanish.* When an Affliction pincheth Men, they intend to change their course; and the next news of ease changes their intentions: Like a Bow, not fully bent in their inclinations, they cannot reach the Mark, but live many years between resolutions of Obedience and affections to Rebellion*: And what promises men make to God are often the fruit of their Passion, their Fear, not of their Will. The Israelites were startled at the terrors wherewith the Law was delivered, and promised obedience*, but a Month after forgat them, and make a Golden Calf, and in the sight of Sinai call for, and dance before their Gods*; Never people more unconstant. Peter who vowed an Allegiance to his Master, and a Courage to stick to him, forswears him almost with the same breath. Those that cry out with a zeal, the Lord he is God, shortly after return to the service of their Idols. *That which seems to be our pleasure this day, is our vexation to morrow: A Fear of a Judgment puts us into a religious pang, and a Love to our Lusts reduceth us to a rebellious inclination; As soon as the danger is over, the Saint is forgotten:
- *Exod. 8.27, 32.
- *Psal. 78.17.
- *Exod. 20.19.
- *Exod. 32.
- *1 Kings. 18.39.
