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

The Scripture speaks sometimes as if God derived his knowledge from report, or as if he did not know whether a people were wicked or no, till he had enquired. When the new world was building their Babel, the Lord said, Let us go down to see the City (Gen. 11.5.) And when Sodom was burning in lust, the Lord resolved, I will go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me, and if not, I will know (Gen. 18.21.)

The Scripture speaks sometimes as if God derived his knowledge from report, or as if he did not know whether a people were vvicked or no, till he had enquired. When the new world vvas building their Babel, the Lord said, Let us go down to see the City (Gen. 11.5.) And when Sodom was burning in lust, the Lord resolved, I will go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me, and if not, I will know (Gen. 18.21.)

In both those places of Scripture God comes down to our capacity, but he comes not down to any place in the world. He needs not come any whether, who is every where. God speaks after the manner of men: but he acts not after the manner of men. God gives us an example what we should do, he doth not work after our example. Lest we should judge before we see, God saith, I vvill go down and see, before I judge: lest we should censure one another upon fames and common cries without further enquiry, whether it be so or no, therefore the Lord saith, I will go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry that is come unto me. God knew Sodom was wicked, before he came down, but he came down to make it known, that he knew it.

In both those places of Scripture God comes down to our capacity, but he comes not down to any place in the vvorld. He needs not come any vvhether, who is every vvhere. God speaks after the manner of men: but he acts not after the manner of men. God gives us an example what we should do, he doth not work after our example. Lest we should judge before we see, God saith, I vvill go down and see, before I judge: lest we should censure one another upon fames and common cries without further enquiry, whether it be so or no, therefore the Lord saith, I will go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry that is come unto me. God knew Sodom vvas vvicked, before he came down, but he came down to make it known, that he knew it.