Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

14. To be void of Gods Fear, is Folly, Psalm 75.4. I said to the Fools, deal not Foolishly, and to the wicked, lift not up the Horn. 1. Are not they Fools who gratify their Enemy? They who want the Fear of God do so. Satan baits his hook with pleasure and profit, and they swallow bait and hook and all; this pleaseth Satan, mens sins feast the Devil^†. Who but a Fool would humour his enemy?

14. To be void of Gods Fear, is Folly, Psalm 75.4. I said to the Fools, deal not Foolishly, and to the wicked, lift not up the Horn. 1. Are not they Fools who gratifie their Enemy? They who want the Fear of God do so. Satan baits his hook with pleasure and profit, and they swallow bait and hook and all; this pleaseth Satan, mens sins feast the Devil^†. Who but a Fool would humour his enemy?

1. †Vitia hominum sunt epulae daemonum.

2. Is it not folly to prefer Slavery before Liberty? if a Slave in the galley should have his freedom offered him, but he should say, he had rather Tug at the Oar and be a slave, than have his liberty, would not he be Judged indiscreet? Such is the case of him who Fears not God. The Gospel offers to free him from the miserable captivity of Sin, but he chooseth rather to be a slave to his lusts^*. He is like the Servant under the Law. Exod. 21.5. I love my Master, I will not go out free. He was displeased with a year of Jubilee: The Foolish sinner had rather have his Ear bored to the Devils service, than be translated into the Glorious liberty of the Sons of God,