A Body of Practical Divinity

Use 4. If God be infinite in Power, then let us take heed of hardening our hearts against God, Job 9.4. Who hath hardened himself against him and prospered? Job sends a Challenge to all Creatures in Heaven and Earth, Who is he did ever take up the Bucklers against God, and came of Conqueror? For a Person to go on daringly in any sin, is to harden his heart against God, and as it were to raise a War against Heaven; and let him remember, God is Elshaddai, Almighty; he will be too hard for them that oppose him, Job 40.9. Hast thou an arm like God? Such as will not bow to his golden Sceptre, shall be broken with his iron Rod. Julian hardened his heart against God, he opposed him to his Face; but what got he at last? did he prosper? Being wounded in Battle, he threw up his Blood into the Air, and said to Christ, Vicisti Galilaee, O Galilean, thou hast overcome; I acknowledge thy Power, whose Name and Truth I have opposed. Will Folly contend with Wisdom? Weakness with Power? Finite with Infinite? O take heed of hardening your heart against God! he can send Legions of Angels to avenge his Quarrel. 'Tis better to meet God with Tears in your Eyes, then Weapons in your Hand. You may overcome God sooner by Repentance then by Resistance.

Use 4. If God be infinite in Power, then let us take heed of hardning our hearts against God, Iob 9.4. Who hath hardned himself against him and prospered? Iob sends a Challenge to all Creatures in Heaven and Earth, Who is he did ever take up the Bucklers against God, and came of Conquerour? For a Person to go on daringly in any sin, is to harden his heart against God, and as it were to raise a War against Heaven; and let him remember, God is Elshaddai, Almighty; he will be too hard for them that oppose him, Iob 40.9. Hast thou an arm like God? Such as will not bow to his golden Scepter, shall be broken with his iron Rod. Iulian hardned his heart against God, he opposed him to his Face; but what got he at last? did he prosper? Being wounded in Battel, he threw up his Blood into the Air, and said to Christ, Vicisti Galilaee, O Galilean, thou hast overcome; I acknowledge thy Power, whose Name and Truth I have opposed. Will Folly contend with Wisdom? Weakness with Power? Finite with Infinite? O take heed of hardning your heart against God! he can send Legions of Angels to avenge his Quarrel. 'Tis better to meet God with Tears in your Eyes, then Weapons in your Hand. You may overcome God sooner by Repentance then by Resistance.