Secondly,1 the sanctity and strictness of it, as it is contrary to the carnal wills and affections ⟨p. 149⟩of men: for as corruption doth deify Reason in the way of wisdom, not willingly allowing any mysteries above the scrutiny and comprehension of it; so doth it deify will in a way of Liberty and power, and doth not love to have any authority set over that which may pinch or restrain it. As Joshua said to Israel, ye cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, Josh. 24.19. we may say of the Law, we cannot submit to the Law because it is an Holy Law; the carnal mind is not, cannot be, subject to the Law of God, Rom. 8.17. Heat and Cold will ever be offensive unto one another, and such are flesh and spirit, Gal. 5.17. Therefore ordinarily the arguments against the ways of God, have been drawn from politic or carnal interests. Jeroboam will not worship at Jerusalem, for fear least Israel revolt to the house of David, 1 Kings 12.27. Amos must not prophesy against the Idolatry of Israel, for the Land is not able to bear all his words, Amos 7.10. The Jews conclude Christ must not be let alone, lest the Romans come and take away their place and Nation, Rom. 11.48. Demetrius and the Craftsmen will by no means have Diana spoken against, because by making shrines for her they got their wealth, Act. 19.24, 25. *Corruption will close with Religion a great way, and hear gladly, and do many things willingly, and part with much to escape damnation; but there is a particular point of rigour and strictness in every unregenerate mans case, which when it is set on close upon him, causeth him ⟨p. 150⟩to stumble, and to be offended, and to break the treaty. The Hypocrites in the Prophet will give rams, and rivers of oil, and the first borne of their body for the sin of their soul: but to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God, to do away the treasures of wickedness, the scant measure, the bag of deceitful weights, violence, lies, circumvention, the statutes of Omri, or the Counsels of the house of Ahab; durus sermo, this is intolerable: they will rather venture smiting and desolation then be held to so severe terms, Mich. 6.6, 16. The young man will come to Christ, yea run to him, and kneel, and desire instruction touching the way to eternal life, and walk with much care in observation of the Commandments;
Secondly,1 the sanctity and strictnesse of it, as it is contrary to the carnall wills and affections ⟨p. 149⟩of men: for as corruption doth deifie Reason in the way of wisedome, not willingly allowing any mysteries above the scrutiny and comprehension of it; so doth it deifie will in a way of Liberty and power, and doth not love to have any authority set over that which may pinch or restraine it. As Ioshua said to Israel, yee cannot serve the Lord, for he is an holy God, Josh. 24.19. we may say of the Law, we cannot submit to the Law because it is an Holy Law; the carnall minde is not, cannot be, subject to the Law of God, Rom. 8.17. Heat and Cold will ever be offensive unto one another, and such are flesh and spirit, Gal. 5.17. Therefore ordinarily the arguments against the wayes of God, have beene drawne from politique or carnall interests. Ieroboam will not worship at Ierusalem, for feare least Israel revolt to the house of David, 1 Kings 12.27. Amos must not prophesie against the Idolatry of Israel, for the Land is not able to beare all his words, Amos 7.10. The Jewes conclude Christ must not be let alone, lest the Romanes come and take away their place and Nation, Rom. 11.48. Demetrius and the Craftsmen will by no meanes have Diana spoken against, because by making shrines for her they got their wealth, Act. 19.24, 25. *Corruption will close with Religion a great way, and heare gladly, and doe many things willingly, and part with much to escape damnation; but there is a particular point of rigor and strictnesse in every unregenerate mans case, which when it is set on close upon him, causeth him ⟨p. 150⟩to stumble, and to be offended, and to break the treaty. The Hypocrites in the Prophet will give rammes, and rivers of oyle, and the first borne of their body for the sinne of their soule: but to doe justly, to love mercy, to walke humbly with God, to doe away the treasures of wickednesse, the scant measure, the bagge of deceitfull weights, violence, lies, circumvention, the statutes of Omri, or the Counsels of the house of Ahab; durus sermo, this is intollerable: they will rather venture smiting and desolation then bee held to so severe termes,
- 1Sect. 19.
- *See Perkin• his works, •om. 1. pag. 356.362. Boll tons discourse of true happiness. Sandersons serm. on 1 Kin. 21.29. Dan. Dikes deceit of the heart cap. 6, 7, 8. Downham of Christian warfare, part. 4. li. 1. cap. 13. §. 3. & lib. 2.11.See Perkin• his works, •om. 1. pag. 356.362. Bol tons discourse of true happinesse. Sandersons serm. on 1 Kin. 21.29. Dan. Dikes deceit of the heart cap. 6, 7, 8. Downham of Christian warfare, part. 4. li. 1. cap. 13. §. 3. & lib. 2.11.
