And now tho they know they are guilty of some of these, or the like Sins, yet they resolve to live in them, and therefore are Fools.
VI. Is not he a Fool, that is not able to judg of the Nature of Things, or of Times, or Occasions, and from hence is angry with every thing that suits not with his Nature, or foolish Humour? He will be angry with the Sun, if it shine hotter than he would have it, and with the Winds, if they blow harder than he would have them; he likes not the Winter, nor would have it ever rain. | VI. Wicked Men are such Fools that they know not the Nature of Things, Times, nor Occasions. He is offended with those Ways of God that cross his sinful Appetite; he would fain have God yield to him, and order Things that suit his filthy Lusts. If the Word forbid all Sin, and would, if it might kindle upon his Heart and Conscience, burn up and destroy all his Lusts; presently he cries out, 'Tis too hot, and therefore strives to put it out. In a word, he would be saved in a way of Sin, i. e. have his Wounds healed, and yet the Sting let alone in the Flesh; he would be well, but take no Physic; would go to Heaven, but never walk in the way to it; he would not be naked, and yet will put on no Clothes, &c. and therefore a Fool. To vex and be angry at the Troubles that fall upon us, or at the Hand of God which sends them, is a high Point of Folly.
VII. A Fool will take Brass Counters for Gold, and be pleased with Bugles more than with Diamonds. When an Heir (saith Mr. Caryl) is impleaded for an Idiot,1 the Judg commands an Apple, or a Counter, with a Piece of Gold to be set before him, to try which he will take: and if he take the Apple, or the Counter, and leave the Gold, he is then cast for a Fool, and unable to manage his Estate; for he knows not the Value of Things, or how to make a true Election. | VI. Wicked Men are thus foolish, and more; for when Bugles and Diamonds, Counters and Gold are set before them, they leave the Diamonds and the Gold, and please themselves with those Toys and Baubles; when (which is infinitely more sottish) Heaven and Hell, Life and Death, are set before them, they choose Hell rather than Heaven, and Death rather than Life; they take the mean; transitory, trifling Things of this World, before the Favour of God, the Pardon of Sin, a Part in Jesus Christ, and an Inheritance amongst the Saints in Light;
And now tho they know they are guilty of some of these, or the like Sins, yet they resolve to live in them, and therefore are Fools.
VI. Is not he a Fool, that is not able to judg of the Nature of Things, or of Times, or Occasions, and from hence is angry with every thing that sutes not with his Nature, or foolish Humor? He will be angry with the Sun, if it shine hotter than he would have it, and with the Winds, if they blow harder than he would have them; he likes not the Winter, nor would have it ever rain. | VI. Wicked Men are such Fools that they know not the Nature of Things, Times, nor Occasions. He is offended with those Ways of God that cross his sinful Appetite; he would fain have God yield to him, and order Things that suit his filthy Lusts. If the Word forbid all Sin, and would, if it might kindle upon his Heart and Conscience, burn up and destroy all his Lusts; presently he cries out, 'Tis too hot, and therefore strives to put it out. In a word, he would be saved in a way of Sin, i. e. have his Wounds healed, and yet the Sting let alone in the Flesh; he would be well, but take no Physick; would go to Heaven, but never walk in the way to it; he would not be naked, and yet will put on no Clothes, &c. and therefore a Fool. To vex and be angry at the Troubles that fall upon us, or at the Hand of God which sends them, is a high Point of Folly.
VII. A Fool will take Brass Counters for Gold, and be pleased with Bugles more than with Diamonds. When an Heir (saith Mr. Caryl) is impleaded for an Ideot,1 the Judg commands an Apple, or a Counter, with a Piece of Gold to be set before him, to try which he will take: and if he take the Apple, or the Counter, and leave the Gold, he is then cast for a Fool, and unable to manage his Estate; for he knows not the Value of Things, or how to make a true Election. | VI. Wicked Men are thus foolish, and more; for when Bugles and Diamonds, Counters and Gold are set before them, they leave the Diamonds and the Gold, and please themselves with those Toyes and Baubles; when (which is infinitely more sottish) Heaven and Hell, Life and Death, are set before them, they chuse Hell rather than Heaven, and Death rather than Life; they take the mean; transitory, trifling Things of this World, before the Favour of God, the Pardon of Sin, a Part in Jesus Christ, and an Inheritance amongst the Saints in Light;
- 1Caryl on Job c. 5. p. 182.
