But it may be demanded, how this is imputed unto them as a sin, to eat these sacrifices, seeing it was the portion of the Priests which was allotted unto them by gods own commandment, as appeareth Leu. 6. 25. 26. 29. Unto which 1I answer, that they sinned in that these sacrifices did not belong unto them; seeing they were appropriated unto Gods true Priests and Levites, which instructed the people, and worshipped God in the Temple at Jerusalem, according to his commandment: But these were Jeroboam's Priests, chosen out of the basest of people of other Tribes, who being ignorant themselves, utterly neglected the duty of teaching the people; neither did they offer the sacrifices in the place appointed for Gods worship, but in the high places of Dan and Bethel. Secondly, in that in these sacrifices they aimed not at the glory of God▪ nor the good of the people: not at Gods glory, for they did not so much offer these sacrifices, that God thereby might be worshipped and served, as that they might hereby serve their own turns, and make large provision for their own bellies; neither did they respect the ⟨p. 181⟩peoples good, for so they would bring store of Sacrifices, & oblations, whereby they might have abundance of provision, to maintain them in idleness and voluptuousness, they were content to wink at their corruptions, to flatter them in their sins, to be altogether silent in admonitions and reproofs, and to persuade them, that though they lived in their sins, yet God would be well pleased and fully satisfied, if they brought their sacrifices to make their atonement. Whereby the people were moved to go on in their sins without repentance, and to rest in the deed done, as though that were sufficient for their salvation. By which their doctrine and practise they utterly perverted the right end and use of the Sacrifices, which were instituted of God to bring the people to repentance and faith. For first when the beast was to be slain, they were enjoined to lay their hands on the head thereof, that hereby they might acknowledge and profess, that themselves had by their sins justly deserved that death which the poor beast suffered, yea, everlasting death of body and soul;
But it may be demaunded, how this is imputed vnto them as a sinne, to eate these sacrifices, seeing it was the portion of the Priests which was allotted vnto them by gods own commandement, as appeareth Leu. 6. 25. 26. 29. Vnto vvhich 1I answere, that they sinned in that these sacrifices did not belong vnto them; seeing they were appropriated vnto Gods true Priests and Leuites, vvhich instructed the people, and vvorshipped God in the Temple at Ierusalem, according to his commandement: But these vvere Ieroboams Priests, chosen out of the basest of people of other Tribes, vvho being ignorant themselues, vtterly neglected the duty of teaching the people; neither did they offer the sacrifices in the place appoynted for Gods vvorship, but in the high places of Dan and Bethell. Secondly, in that in these sacrifices they aymed not at the glory of God▪ nor the good of the people: not at Gods glory, for they did not so much offer these sacrifices, that God thereby might be worshipped and serued, as that they might hereby serue their owne turnes, and make large prouision for their owne bellies; neyther did they respect the ⟨p. 181⟩peoples good, for so they would bring store of Sacrifices, & oblations, vvhereby they might haue abundance of prouision, to mainetaine them in idlenes and voluptuousnesse, they were content to vvinck at their corruptions, to flatter them in their sinnes, to be altogether silent in admonitions and reproofes, and to perswade them, that though they liued in their sinnes, yet God would be well pleased and fully satisfied, if they brought their sacrifices to make their attonement. Whereby the people were moued to goe on in their sinnes without repentance, and to rest in the deede done, as though that were sufficient for their saluation. By vvhich their doctrine and practise they vtterly peruerted the right end and vse of the Sacrifices, which were instituted of God to bring the people to repentance and faith. For first when the beast was to be slaine, they were injoyned to lay their hands on the head thereof, that hereby they might acknowledge and professe, that themselues had by their sinnes justly deserued that death which the poore beast suffered, yea, euerlasting death of body and soule;
- 1Leu. 6. 25. 26. 29.
