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…

Every act of sin hardens the heart of man, but the heat of blasphemy at once shows and puts it into the extremity of hardness. Man hardens himself against God four ways especially.

Every act of sinne hardens the heart of man, but the heat of blasphemy at once shews and puts it into the extremity of hardnesse. Man hardens himself against God four waies especially.

First, Upon presumption of mercy; many do evil, because they hear God is good; they turn his grace into wantonness, and are without all fear of the Lord, because there is mercy so much with the Lord.

First, Upon presumption of mercy; many doe evil, because they hear God is good; they turn his grace into wantonnesse, and are without all fear of the Lord, because there is mercy so much with the Lord.

Secondly, The patience of God or his delays of judgement harden others, because God is slow to strike, they are swift to sin. If the sound of judgment be not at the heels of sin, they conclude, there is no such danger in sin; Solomon observed this (Eccles. 8.11.) Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil, or, it is full in them to do evil. They have not some velleities and propensions, some motions and inclinations, some queries and debates about it, but the matter (upon this ground) is fully stated and determined, they are so full of it, that they have no room in their hearts for better thoughts or counsels: the sum of all is, they are hardened and resolved to do evil.

Secondly, The patience of God or his delaies of judgement harden others, because God is slow to strike, they are swift to sin. If the sound of judgment be not at the heels of sin, they conclude, there is no such danger in sin; Solomon observed this (