A41644:52
God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances
God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is showed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances wherein is shewed, that our deliverances, not answered with reformation, will be followed with sorest destruction / by Thomas Gouge.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
PROPOSITION 2.
Such is the wickedness of our corrupted hearts, that we are prone to proceed in sin, notwithstanding the Lord is using these means with us to reclaim us. We are apt to make use of our deliverances to further our sins, rather than improve them to the forsaking of them. For as the red Sea drinks in the River Jordan yet is never the sweeter; and the vas• Ocean all other Rivers, yet is not th• fresher: so we receive the most excellent mercies, and yet are but little the better. So entire is our cursed affection to ou• espoused Lusts, that whoever be dis-engaged, and whoever be displeased, we ar• ⟨p. 21⟩too much resolved to continue in them. Hence the mercies God gives for encouragements to serve him, we turn to be instruments of sinning against him. When God doth most for us in ways of mercy, we are prone to do most against him in ways of sin. 'Tis reported of the Leopard, that 'tis most savage to those that do most for it. Too true it is of us; we are wretchedly most unkind, to those that show most kindness to us. Felicitate corrumpimur, outward felicity makes us abound in iniquity. After the receipt of special favours, we often loosen the reins to Impiety, and run more extravagantly after our own inventions. How many become more nimble in the feats of iniquity, by being anointed with the oil of mercy? Men nurse the hateful brats of their devilish lusts, at the breast of Divine bounty. Our envenomed natures extract food for the nourishment of abominable sins, from the singular favours of a gracious God.
Such is the wickedness of our corrupted hearts, that we are prone to proceed in sin, notwithstanding the Lord is using these means with us to reclaim us. We are apt to make use of our deliverances to further our sins, rather than improve them to the forsaking of them. For as the red Sea drinks in the River Iordan yet is never the sweeter; and the vas• Ocean all other Rivers, yet is not th fresher: so we receive the most excellent mercies, and yet are but little the better. So entire is our cursed affection to ou espoused Lusts, that whoever be dis-engaged, and whoever be displeased, we ar