1 USE. Oh then, let us not be high-minded, but fear, Rom. 11.20. And let all this that hath been spoken, tend to weaken the security of the Flesh, but not the Joy of Faith: Let it batter down all your false confidence, and carnal security, by which you are apt to deceive your own Souls, and make you build more surely for Heaven. Consider,
(1.) God may see that which your selves or men do not: For he seeth not as man seeth. Others look upon appearance, you your selves may be blinded with your own self-love, but God knoweth all things, seeth all things; therefore, though thou hast a Name, yet perhaps art dead, Rev. 3.1. And though we know nothing by our selves, yet we are not thereby justified, 2 Cor. 4.4.
(2.) How dreadful it is to know our Error by the Event, rather than by a Search! The foolish Virgins said to the wise, Give us of your Oil, for our Lamps are gone out. They began to see their defect, when it was too late. The foolish Builder, that built his House upon the sand, his Building made as fair a show as any; but it fell, and great was the fall of it. So is the Hope of the Hypocrite when God cometh to take away his Soul: then they will see and bewail their deceits of Heart, but have no time to remedy them. Many think they have Godliness enough while they live, but when they come to die, they will find it little enough, and all their false hopes will leave them ashamed.
(3.) We have need, again and again to bring the grounds of our Confidence into the sight and view of Conscience, that we may be sure they will hold weight: Psal. 44.18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined thy way. 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our Conscience. At least, when you suspect your selves, how do you make a shift to quiet your Consciences? Is it upon solid grounds, and such as will bear weight in the day of Christ? Many are strongly conceited of themselves, when there is little ground for it. Luke 13.24. Many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able. Rev. 3.17. Thou thoughtest that thou wert rich, and increased with goods, when thou art poor, and wretched, and blind, and naked: In a poor case to meet the Bridegroom, but they thought themselves in a happy Condition.
1 VSE. Oh then, let us not be high-minded, but fear, Rom. 11.20. And let all this that hath been spoken, tend to weaken the security of the Flesh, but not the Joy of Faith: Let it batter down all your false confidence, and carnal security, by which you are apt to deceive your own Souls, and make you build more surely for Heaven. Consider,
(1.) God may see that which your selves or men do not: For he seeth not as man seeth. Others look upon appearance, you your selves may be blinded with your own self-love, but God knoweth all things, seeth all things; therefore, though thou hast a Name, yet perhaps art dead, Rev. 3.1. And though we know nothing by our selves, yet we are not thereby justified, 2 Cor. 4.4.
(2.) How dreadful it is to know our Errour by the Event, rather than by a Search! The foolish Virgins said to the wise, Give us of your Oyl, for our Lamps are gone out. They began to see their defect, when it was too late. The foolish Builder, that built his House upon the sand, his Building made as fair a shew as any; but it fell, and great was the fall of it. So is the Hope of the Hypocrite when God cometh to take away his Soul: then they will see and bewail their deceits of Heart, but have no time to remedy them. Many think they have Godliness enough while they live, but when they come to die, they will find it little enough, and all their false hopes will leave them ashamed.
(3.) We have need, again and again to bring the grounds of our Confidence into the sight and view of Conscience, that we may be sure they will hold weight: Psal. 44.18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined thy way. 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoycing, the testimony of our Conscience. At least, when you suspect your selves, how do you make a shift to quiet your Consciences? Is it upon solid grounds, and such as will bear weight in the day of Christ? Many are strongly conceited of themselves, when there is little ground for it. Luke 13.24. Many shall seek to enter, but shall not be able. Rev. 3.17. Thou thoughtest that thou wert rich, and increased with goods, when thou art poor, and wretched, and blind, and naked: In a poor case to meet the Bridegroom, but they thought themselves in a happy Condition.
