Sermons preached

But how are the Creatures nothing, which Faith teaches us? and how something, which Sense teacheth us? Something they are unquestionably, in respect of that derived and dependent Being which they have from God. We must not establish the Pyrrhonian Conceit, That the whole World is but a Phantastry, indeed nothing, and our Life but a Dream. Or Sceptically, to look upon the Being and Modes of all things as uncertain. No, Nor to imagine that Sense is so far fallible, that a Man of sound Sense and Understanding may not be sure of the Objects conveniently presented to his Sense. Certainly the Sceptics need to be scourged as Fools, till they feel themselves something. But vet it is of high Importance in the Work of Godliness, to see the Creature nothing. It is so, 1. By way of Comparison with God. 2. By way of Exclusion of God. 3. By way of Opposition to God.

But how are the Creatures nothing, which Faith teaches us? and how something, which Sense teacheth us? Something they are unquestionably, in respect of that derived and dependent Being which they have from God. We must not establish the Pyrrhonian Conceit, That the whole World is but a Phantastry, indeed nothing, and our Life but a Dream. Or Sceptically, to look upon the Being and Modes of all things as uncertain. No, Nor to imagine that Sense is so far fallible, that a Man of sound Sense and Understanding may not be sure of the Objects conveniently presented to his Sense. Certainly the Scepticks need to be scourged as Fools, till they feel themselves something. But vet it is of high Importance in the Work of Godliness, to see the Creature nothing. It is so, 1. By way of Comparison with God. 2. By way of Exclusion of God. 3. By way of Opposition to God.

1. By way of Comparison with God. So God's Name only is, I AM, and then there is none besides him. If the ⟨p. 260⟩Creatures be compared among themselves, some are good, strong, wise, others not; but they are all nothing in comparison of God. Though there be a Difference between the Stars in the Night, some are brighter, and some are darker; some of the first Magnitude, second, third, &c. Yet in the Day-time they are all alike inconspicuous, all are darkened by the Sun's Glory. When we compare the Creatures one with another, we shall find different Degrees of Perfection and Excellency; but by the glorious Brightness of the Father of Lights all these inferior Lights are obscured, and their Differences unobserved. God saith somewhere, I am, and there is none else, I am alone. I lift my Hand to Heaven, and swear, I live for ever. It is counted an Usurpation of Divine Honour for the Creature to say, I am.