As when the season grows warm, by fructifying rays of the Sun, the weeds spring up; so by the increase of mercies, there is often the abounding of iniquity, Hos 10.1. Israel is an empty vine: or, [Greek or Hebrew], vitis luxurians; a wild vine: according ⟨p. 22⟩to the multitudes of his fruits, he hath increased the altars, i. e. Quo res habuit pr• speriores, eo magis indulsit Idololatriae, Gro• The more prosperity, the more Idolatry. 'Tis observed of the Spleen, the greater it grows, the less the body is: the more Temporal mercies, the less heavenly spirits and holy obedience. Hos. 4.7. As they increased, they sinned against me. Heb. [Greek or Hebrew] Sicut multiplicari eis, as I multiplied to them; or, as I increased deliverances, honour, riches; so they sinned against me. As judgments will not bridle us, so mercies will not break us off our sinning. Isa. 26.10. Let favour be shown to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness. In the former verses the Prophet shows, that the people of God would serve him even under afflictions; but as for the wicked, neither mercies nor afflictions work upon them. Mercies are messengers to instruct us our duty; but although for many years we have been called upon by them, yet how little have we learnt to love, serve, and obey our God by them? Noah miraculously delivered, is abominably drawn into sin. He that had the highest proofs of the mercy and justice of God, mercy to himself, justice to the world, lies drunk ⟨p. 23⟩in his Tent; preserved from waters, overcome by wine: behold, you may see him guilty of the sin for which he saw the world condemned; you may see him to be rebuked for the sin he so often had reproved: and he that was so holy before, now becomes a pattern of uncleanness, and example for future wickedness: thus prone are the best to sin after deliverance. Thus holy Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32.24, 25. God delivered him from death, but he rendered not to the Lord according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up, not with thankfulness, but haughtiness; not in praises, but with pride. Deut. 32.15. Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked, then be forsook the God that made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. Deliverance had made way for his promotion; and he being promoted, God was rejected. Righteous Lot by distinguishing favour escaping the flames of Sodom, fell into the fire of sin.
As when the season grows warm, by fructifying rays of the Sun, the weeds spring up; so by the increase of mercies, there is often the abounding of iniquity, Hos 10.1. Israel is an empty vine: or, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, vitis luxurians; a wild vine: according ⟨p. 22⟩to the multitudes of his fruits, he hath increased the altars, i. e. Quo res habuit pr• speriores, eo magis indulsit Idololatriae, Gro• The more prosperity, the more Idolatry. 'Tis observed of the Spleen, the greater it grows, the less the body is: the more Temporal mercies, the less heavenly spirits and holy obedience. Hos. 4.7. As they increased, they sinned against me. Heb. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Sicut multiplicari eis, as I multiplyed to them; or, as I increased deliverances, honour, riches; so they sinned against me. As judgments will not bridle us, so mercies will not break us off our sinning. Isa. 26.10. Let favour be shown to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness. In the former verses the Prophet shews, that the people of God would serve him even under afflictions; but as for the wicked, neither mercies nor afflictions work upon them. Mercies are messengers to instruct us our duty; but although for many years we have been called upon by them, yet how little have we learnt to love, serve, and obey our God by them? Noah miraculously delivered, is abominably drawn into sin. He that had the highest proofs of the mercy and justice of God, mercy to himself, justice to the world, lyes drunk ⟨p. 23⟩in his Tent; preserved from waters, overcome by wine: behold, you may see him guilty of the sin for which he saw the world condemned; you may see him to be rebuked for the sin he so often had reproved: and he that was so holy before, now becomes a pattern of uncleanness, and example for future wickedness: thus prone are the best to sin after deliverance. Thus holy Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32.24, 25. God delivered him from death, but he rendred not to the Lord according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up, not with thankfulness, but haughtiness; not in praises, but with pride. Deut. 32.15
