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…

If God be the Lord of Hosts, let us take heed of hardening our Hearts against God.¹ It was the saying of Pompey that with one stamp of his Foot he could raise all Italy up in Arms^*. God can with a word ⟨p. 157⟩raise all the Militia of Heaven and Earth against us: and shall we dare affront him? Job 9.4. Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered? Such as live in the open breach of Gods Commandments harden their Hearts against God; they raise a War against Heaven, Job 15.25. He strengtheneth himself against the Almighty^†. Like Warriors, who Muster up all the forces they can, to fight with their Antagonists: so the sinner harnesseth, and strengthens himself against Jehovah, Ver. 26. He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers. Bucklers anciently had one great boss in the middle with a sharp pike in it to wound the adversary. The flagitious sinner encounters the God of Heaven, and runs upon the thick bosses of his fury, which will wound mortally. The Wicked do as Caligula, who challenged Jupiter to a duel: but who ever hardened himself against God and prospered? will men go to measure Arms with God? Job 40.9. Hast thou an Arm like God? God is Almighty, therefore can hurt his enemies; and he is invisible, ⟨p. 158⟩therefore they cannot hurt him. Who can fight with a Spirit? God will be too hard for his Enemies at the long run^*, Psalm 68.21. God shall wound the head of his Enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. Julian hardened his Heart against God, 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. How easily can God chastise Rebels?