Again, in that the Gospel is hid from whole Ages and Generations of men, we may see that whole multitudes may be in a miserable estate; and that it is no privilege for any in sinning, that many are such sinners. Neither §3is multitude, or succession of men, in one mind for matters of Religion, any note of the true Church. For here are whole ages, and many successions of men, that all lived and died without the knowledge of the Gospel: it is a slender prop for Faith to rest on, to say our Fathers, and fore-fathers §4lived and died in this or that mind or opinion. Further, we may observe hence the infectiousness of sin: how naturally it will spread, even to the poisoning of whole Worlds of men. If sin but once get a fountain, if the §5Lord stop it not, into what rivers of contagion will it defuse it self? Also, we may see how fearful a thing it is to fall into the hands of an angry God, since the lives of so many millions cannot find pity or pardon with him. §6And the insensibleness of sinners may hence be noted also. When would those ages and generations of men have awaked out of their idolatrous sleep, if the Lord by the voice of his Son, and his Servants, had not awaked them? Moreover, it may be manifest from hence, that the Lord in §7dispensing his grace, is not moved by any outward things: for what can any person or people have to commend them by to God, which those Nations had not? Lastly, we may here see it verified, that Gods judgements are like a great deep: it is not for man to conceive that he should be able to search into them. Yet least any should stand still, and be swallowed up with amazement, at the fall and ruin of those worlds of men, let him consider of these things following. First, that these people were instructed by the Creatures,1 and had a Law written in their heartsq. Secondly, that these terrible desertions, and exquisite judgements, were deserved by an infinite measure of horrible sins: which if we could soundly consider of, our Objections about their falls would be much dulled. Thirdly, that it is God that prescribes and describeth Justice: and therefore things are just, because he doth them; not that first man must pronounce them just, and then God will do them. Fourthly, that the reasons of this dealing may be just, though not expressed unto us. Fifthly, that Christians are charged to be wise to sobriety:
Againe, in that the Gospell is hid from whole Ages and Generations of men, wee may see that whole multitudes may be in a miserable estate; and that it is no priuiledge for any in sinning, that many are such sinners. Neither §3is multitude, or succession of men, in one minde for matters of Religion, any note of the true Church. For here are whole ages, and many successions of men, that all liued and died without the knowledge of the Gospell: it is a slender prop for Faith to rest on, to say our Fathers, and fore-fathers §4liued and died in this or that minde or opinion. Further, wee may obserue hence the infectiousnesse of sinne: how naturally it will spread, euen to the poisoning of whole Worlds of men. If sinne but once get a fountaine, if the §5Lord stoppe it not, into what riuers of contagion will it defuse it selfe? Also, we may see how fearefull a thing it is to fall into the hands of an angry God, since the liues of so many millions cannot finde pitty or pardon with him. §6And the insensiblenesse of sinners may hence be noted also. When would those ages and generations of men haue awaked out of their idolatrous sleepe, if the Lord by the voice of his Sonne, and his Seruants, had not awaked them? Moreouer, it may be manifest from hence, that the Lord in §7dispencing his grace, is not moued by any outward things: for what can any person or people haue to commend them by to God, which those Nations had not? Lastly, we may here see it verified, that Gods iudgements are like a great deepe: it is not for man to conceiue that hee should be able to search into them. Yet least any should stand still, and be swallowed vp with amazement, at the fall and ruine of those worlds of men, let him consider of these things following. First, that these people were instructed by the Creatures,1 and had a Law written in their heartsq. Secondly, that these terrible desertions, and exquisite iudgements, were deserued by an infinite measure of horrible sinnes: which if wee could soundly consider of, our Obiections about their falls would be much dulled. Thirdly, that it is God that prescribes and describeth Iustice: and therefore things are iust, because he doth them; not that first man must pronounce them iust, and then God will doe them. Fourthly, that the reasons of this dealing may bee iust, though not exprest vnto vs. Fiftly, that Christians are charged to be wise to sobrietie:
- 1Note.
- qRom. 1. & 2.
