An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Fifthly, Note; It's a great shame, reproof, and reproach to man, when he acts unanswerably to the teachings of God.

It is better to be a beast in or by nature, than to be a beast (and ⟨p. 83⟩continue so) in qualities and conditions. O what a reproach is it, that they who have a far better nature than beasts, should lead no better lives than a beast, yea possibly much worse! The Psalmist cries shame upon such (Psal. 32.9.) Be ye not as the Horse, or as the Mule, which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. The Horse and Mule are unruly creatures, if left to their own rule, they have no understanding how to manage and order themselves; they must be managed and ordered by bit and bridle in the hand of a skilful rider, else they do more hurt than good service to those that come near them: Now, saith the Lord to man, Be not you like the untaught or unmanaged Horse and Mule; as ye are better taught, so ye should have better manners. We say of some men, they are better fed than taught; and we may say of many men, they are better taught than mannered; they mend not their manners, though daily taught, yea urged to mend them. For this neglect the Lord reproves the sluggard, (Pro. 6.6.) Go to the Ant thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise; thou doest not answer natural, much less Scriptural light, thou doest not learn by any teachings; one of the least of my creatures may teach thee more than thou hast yet learned of all the teachers which I have sent thee. The little Ant that dwells upon a Mole-hill, that creeps upon the ground, may teach thee better manners, and make thee wiser. Art thou not ashamed to need such a teacher, having had so many teachers? That's also the sense of those rebukes which the Prophet pours out (with a strong contestation) upon the people of Israel, calling Heaven and Earth to witness against them, (Isa. 1.2