A65309:521
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…
Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen verses : seasonable for the times / by Thomas Watson ...Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the sixteen, seventeen and eighteen verses : seasonable for the times / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. The Godly dare not use any indirect means to extricate themselves out of Trouble. Wicked men, like Malefactors, care not how they get loose, they will sin themselves out of straits: the People of God had rather lye in the Furnace to have their dross purged, than come out too soon: they will not purchase the liberty of their Persons by ensnaring their Consciences. Doth not God deal well with his Children in keeping them from sinning in Affliction? Affliction cannot do that mischief as sin doth: the one is like a rent in the Garment, the other is like a rent in the Flesh. Affliction may deprive us of our Estates, but Sin deprives us of our God.
2. The Godly dare not use any indirect means to extricate themselves out of Trouble. Wicked men, like Malefactors, care not how they get loose, they will sin themselves out of straits: the People of God had rather lye in the Furnace to have their dross purged, than come out too soon: they will not purchase the liberty of their Persons by insnaring their Consciences. Doth not God deal well with his Children in keeping them from sinning in Affliction? Affliction cannot do that mischief as sin doth: the one is like a rent in the Garment, the other is like a rent in the Flesh. Affliction may deprive us of our Estates, but Sin deprives us of our God.
8. God deals well with his Children in Affliction, because though he Correct them, he doth not forsake them. Indeed Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, Isa. 49.14; But that was under a Temptation, Lam. 3.31. The Lord will not cast off for Ever. God may alter his Providence, not his purpose: he may change his dispensation, ⟨p. 224⟩not his disposition, Hos. 11.8. How shall I give thee up O Ephraim? It alludes to a Father who is about to disinherit his Son, but when he is going to set his hand to the deed, his bowels begin to Work; I am his Father, and though he be a Rebellious Son, yet he is a Son: how shall I disinherit him? Such are the Workings of Gods bowels to his Children; though he may give them a severe rebuke, yet he will not cut off the entail of Mercy.