Certain sermons, first preached, and after published at several times, by M. Thomas Gataker…Certaine sermons, first preached, and after published at severall times, by M. Thomas Gataker…

Use 2 Secondly, observe we hence how cross and averse the corrupt heart of man is naturally to all goodness and godliness; that,¹ though a Crown, a Kingdom, an incorruptible Crown, an everlasting Kingdom be propounded to this Righteousness, and annexed unto it, yet will rather lose this Crown, rather leave and forgo this Kingdom, than condescend to accept of it upon such a condition;^p will not be constrained to live happily, and to reign everlastingly, unless he may do so upon some other terms; will choose rather not to reign, than to be righteous. If this Crown indeed might be compassed by fraud and deceit, or by oppression and extortion; not a few would be sure to have a share in it, that are now never like to have any interest therein. Or if it might be held with looseness and lewdness of life, we should not need much Rhetoric to persuade many to accept of it. It is^q one main end, for which many men desire authority and greatness, that they may thereby gain liberty to live and do as they list;^r and without which they esteem power and authority nought worth. When^s John the Baptist preached the Gospel of this Kingdom, ^tHerod would willingly have had it, if he might have held his Herodias, ⟨p. 42⟩his Harlot with it. When^u our Saviour Christ published it,^x the Pharisees would fain have had it, if with their^y pride,^z