Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

5 Another sort of tempting God is, when we come to him with an Idol in our hearts, that is, when people are resolved of a thing, they will go, and ask counsel of God. In all matters we resolve on, we are to take Gods leave, and counsel and blessing; but they first resolve, and then ask Gods Counsel. And therefore God saith, Ezek. 14. 4. Every man of the house of Israel, that setteth up his Idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the Prophet, I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his Idols. Balaam had a mind to the wages of unrighteousness, but yet he durst not go without God, and till God had permitted him, he would be asking again and again, Numb. 22. 12. compared with the 20 and 22 Verses. God answered him in wrath according to the ⟨p. 105⟩Idol of his Heart. Thus you see men tempt God, when either out of diffidence or presumption they seek an experience of his Wisdom, Power, Justice, Truth, Goodness against his Word and Command, and the order he hath established; as the Israelites, when means failed, murmured and prescribed Time, Means and Manner of deliverance, as if they would subject God to their Lusts.

II. The Heinousness of the Sin.

1. Because it is a great Arrogancy, when we seek thus to subject the Lord to our Direction, Will, and Carnal Affections. Prescribing to God argueth too great an Ascribing to our selves. Certainly the Lord cannot endure that his People, who ought wholly to depend upon him, submit to him, and be ruled by him, should prescribe as they please, how and when he should help them; and that his Power and Goodness should lackey upon, and be at the beck of our idle and wanton humours. The direction of the affairs of the world is one of the Flowers of Gods Crown. Now to dislike of his Holy Government is a presumptuous Arrogancy in the creature; we will take upon us to model our mercies, and choose our means, and will not tarry the time that he hath appointed