An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

And if so, then this is an humbling consideration. Some walk as if they thought the ground or earth not good enough for them to go upon. Moses setting forth the dreadfulness of famine, as a punishment threatened the Jewish nation in case of disobedience, tells us it shall fall on all sorts, both of men and women (Deut: 28.56.) The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, &c. Some are loth to put their feet to the ground, whereas the best foot that ever trod upon the ground, is dust as well as the ground trodden on, and 'tis but dust to dust when they are in the dust, and dirt to dirt if they fall into the dirt. The Apostle, among other reasons, for this also, calleth the body of man a vile body (Phil: 3.21.) Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Our bodies are vile, chiefly from the contagion of sin, that hath made them most vile; But they are comparatively vile, with respect to the very matter out of which they were all representatively made when the first man was made, without the least taint or touch of sin. Man at best as to the body is but a little breathing dust or moving clay. And did we spiritually look upon the matter of our bodies, it would exceedingly humble our spirits, and keep them low even when like Jordan they are ready to over-flow all the banks of modesty, and moderation. We hear of a bird, who priding himself in spreading and perusing his fine feathers, is presently as it were, ashamed by looking down upon his own black feet. Surely did man often consider that his whole body is of the earth, it would be an excellent means to keep his heart in a lowly frame, how highly soever himself is exalted in the earth.

And if so, then this is an humbling consideration. Some walke as if they thought the ground or earth not good enough for them to goe upon. Moses setting forth the dreadfullness of famine, as a punishment threatned the Jewish nation in case of disobedience, tells us it shall fall on all sorts, both of men and women (Deut: 28.56.) The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, &c. Some are loth to put their feet to the ground, whereas the best foote that ever trod upon the ground, is dust as wel as the ground trodden on, and 'tis but dust to dust when they are in the dust, and dirt to dirt if they fall into the dirt. The Apostle, among other reasons, for this also, calleth the body of man a vile body (Phil: 3.21.) Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Our bodies are vile, chiefly from the contagion of sin, that hath made them most vile; But they are comparatively vile, with respect to the very matter out of which they were all representatively made when the first man was made, without the least taint or touch of sin. Man at best as to the body is but a little breathing dust or moving clay. And did we spiritually look upon the matter of our bodyes, it would exceedingly humble our spirits, and keep them low even when like Jordan they are ready to over-flow all the banks of modesty, and moderation. We heare of a bird, who priding himselfe in spreading and perusing his fine feathers, is presently as it were, ashamed by looking down upon his owne black feete. Surely did man often consider that his whole body is of the earth, it would be an excellent meanes to keepe his heart in a lowly frame, how highly soever himselfe is exalted in the earth.