Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Their corrupt carnal Affections have moreover greatly contributed, and yet do so § 27 unto their Obstinacy in their Unbelief. Hence have they coined their self-pleasing imaginations about the Messiah, and the work that he hath to do, That He should be a King, and reign gloriously, that his Dominion should be over all the world, and endure throughout all Generations, was promised concerning him from the Beginning. They think much therefore what Advantage this Kingdom may afford unto them, comparing it in their minds with those other Empires which they see in the world. Wealth, Ease, Liberty, Dominion, or a share in Power and Rule are the things that please their carnal minds, and evidently fill them with Envy and Wrath against them by whom they are possessed. These things they look after and hope for; as the only things that are desirable, the only Pledges indeed of the favour of God. No Persons on the Earth have their thoughts more fixed on them then they. As their Oppressions increase, so do their Desires after Liberty and Rule; and they have learned nothing by their Poverty, but to grow in a greedy fierceness after Riches. And when they would at any time set out the care of God towards their Nation, they declare that such a one in such a place was worth so many thousand Crowns, or drove such a Trade, or was in such favour as that he rode in a Coach or Chariot; as may be seen in the Address of Manasseh unto the English. This Covetousness, and Ambition with Revengeful thoughts against their Oppressors possessing their minds, makes them desire, hope and believe that the Kingdom of their Messiah shall be of this world, and that therein their Enjoyments shall be as large, as what ever now their Fancy can reach unto. And so perfectly are they under the Power of these lusts and earthly desires in this matter, that take away their Hopes of satisfying of them in the good things of this world, that they will on very easy terms bid adieu unto their Messiah, or grant that he is already come. But whilst they are obstinately fixed in the expectation of them, to tell them of a Spiritual and Heavenly Kingdom, wherein the poorest and most persecuted Person on the Earth may have as good an Interest, and enjoy as much Benefit by it, as the greatest Monarch in the world, and you do but cast away your words into the wind.

Their corrupt carnal Affections have moreover greatly contributed, and yet do so § 27 unto their Obstinacy in their Unbelief. Hence have they coyned their self-pleasing imaginations about the Messiah, and the work that he hath to do, That He should be a King, and reign gloriously, that his Dominion should be over all the world, and endure throughout all Generations, was promised concerning him from the Beginning. They think much therefore what Advantage this Kingdom may afford unto them, comparing it in their minds with those other Empires which they see in the world. Wealth, Ease, Liberty, Dominion, or a share in Power and Rule are the things that please their carnal minds, and evidently fill them with Envy and Wrath against them by whom they are possessed. These things they look after and hope for; as the only things that are desirable, the only Pledges indeed of the favour of God. No Persons on the Earth have their thoughts more fixed on them then they. As their Oppressions increase, so do their Desires after Liberty and Rule; and they have learned nothing by their Poverty, but to grow in a greedy fierceness after Riches. And when they would at any time set out the care of God towards their Nation, they declare that such a one in such a place was worth so many thousand Crowns, or drove such a Trade, or was in such favour as that he rode in a Coach or Charriot; as may be seen in the Address of Manasseh unto the English. This Covetousness, and Ambition with Revengefull thoughts against their Oppressors possessing their minds, makes them desire, hope and believe that the Kingdom of their Messiah shall be of this world, and that therein their Enjoyments shall be as large, as what ever now their Fancy can reach unto. And so perfectly are they under the Power of these lusts and earthly desires in this matter, that take away their Hopes of satisfying of them in the good things of this world, that they will on very easie terms bid adieu unto their Messiah, or grant that he is already come. But whilest they are obstinately fixed in the expectation of them, to tell them of a Spiritual and Heavenly Kingdom, wherein the poorest and most persecuted Person on the Earth may have as good an Interest, and enjoy as much Benefit by it, as the greatest Monarch in the world, and you do but cast away your words into the wind.