Sermons preached

(2.) The second Reason is Carnal Liberty; and so we hate God as a Law-giver, who would bridle our Lusts. There is in the Law the Precept and the Sanction. The Precept is to our purpose; the Sanction will come to be considered in the next. Because of God's Restraint, we cannot enjoy our Lusts with that freedom and security we desire: his Law is in the way; therefore the Heart riseth up against God, because he hath made a Law to forbid those things that we affect. Rom. 8. 7. The natural Mind is Enmity to God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither can be. Col. 1. 21. Enemies in your Mind by evil Works. We love Sin, therefore we hate God, who forbids it, and makes it so penal and damnable to us.

(3.) Slavish Fear is the Cause of this Enmity. This relates to the Sanction and Penalty of the Law; Thus we hate ⟨p. 118⟩God, because we fear he will call us to account for our Sins, and punish us. For a condemning God, barely apprehended under that Notion, can never be loved by a guilty Creature. Thus Adam, when he had sinned, ran away from God, and hid himself in the Bushes. ¹Now it is in vain to come and tell them of the Goodness of God, and his Perfections, till he change their Hearts. As you do in vain induce a guilty Prisoner to love his Judge, to tell him he is a discreet Person, a Man of solid Judgment, one well skilled and versed in the Law; this sticks, he is one that will condemn him. Therefore the Gospel, as a Means to induce us to love God, sets him forth, as a Sin-pardoning God; There is Forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

(3.) Slavish Fear is the Cause of this Enmity. This relates to the Sanction and Penalty of the Law; Thus we hate ⟨p. 118⟩