The Marrow of the Oracles of God, Chapter 2 – Chapter 7
CHAP. II.
The diuision of the sinnes against the first Table: and the sorts of sinnes against Gods nature.
TThe sinnes against God, forbidden in the first Table of the Law, are of foure sorts.
1. Some against his nature.
2. Some against the meanes of his worship.
3. Some against the manner of his worship.
4. Some against the time of his worship.
For the first, the sinnes against the nature of God, are of two sorts.
1. Some more vnusuall and personall.
2. Some more vsuall and naturall.
The more vnusuall sinnes are such, as are not found amongst Christians, except it be in such persons onelyonly, as are most monstrously vile, such as are,
1. Blasphemie, to reproach God.
2. Idolatrie, to worship the creature.
3. Witchcraft, or the seruice of the Diuell.
4. Atheisme, to defend there is no God, or to desire constantly there were no God.
5. That matchlesse Pride, for a man to say hee is God, or to exalt himselfe aboue all that is called God.
6. Heresie, to hold after con…ction, errors against the foundation of Religion.
7. The inward hatred and loathing of God. It shall … to hauehave thus touched th…se sins.
The more vsuall sins, and such as are found in the most men by nature, are such as these.
That naturall Atheisme, of 1. Naturall Atheisme.which he is guiltie,
1. That customarily spends his time without God in the world, Ephes. 2. 12.
2. That conceiues Atheisticall thoughts; and of such thoughts he is guilty,
That with inward reasonings, whether there be a GOD, to which his heart inclineth, Psal. 14. 1.
That saith or thinketh, God will neither doe good nor euill, or that he neither seeth or regardeth, Isai. …9. 15, 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9. 9. Iob 22. 13.
That saith or thinketh, there is no profit in seruing the Almightie, Iob 21. 14. & 22. 17.
That in affliction saith or thinketh, it is impossible to be deliuered, 2 Kings 7. 2.
That hath inward boylings about such things as God sheweth not reason of, Iob 33. 13.
That conceiueth rebellious thoughts about the decrees or prouidence of God, Rom. 9.
Thus of naturall Atheisme.
The second sin is Epicurisme, 2. Epicurismewhich is shewed,
By fulnesse of bread and idlenesse, Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 19.
By liuing in pleasure, Eccl. 11. 9. Iames 5. 5.
By vanitie and strangenesse of apparell, Isai. 3. Zep. 1. 8.
The third sinne, is the defect 3. Defects.of those graces, by which wee should cleaue vntounto God; and that also when we want tha… life of them should be in vsus; such are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge, louelove and feare of God, and of our ioying and trusting in God, Psal. 36. 1. Zeph. 3. …. Prou. 30. 1, 2. Rom. 7. These defects are the worse, by reason of our impotency and extreme indisposition to seeke to mend those things. And therefore it is an aggrauation of any of these defects, that men doe not stirre vp themselues to take hold of God, …sai. 64. 7.
Fourthly, the misplacing o… 4. … of our affections.our affections, in setting, them vponupon earthly things, employing our confidence, feare, ioy, or louelove vponupon the world, and the things thereof, whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God, Ier. 17. 5. Isai. 51. 7. 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6.
Fiftly, Pride: and there is a 5. 4 Sorts of pride.foure-fold pride:
1. Arrogancie, shewed
By high lookes, or indignation of spirit, Isaiah 10. 12. and 16. 6.
By fearlesnesse of a fall in prosp…ritie, and that boasting hopefulnesse in a broken estate, Psal. 30. 6. Isai. 9. 10. Obad. 3.
2. The pride of life, which hath in it the secret lifting vp of the heart, & glorying in friends, money, meanes, houses, riches, beauty, or the like, 1 Iohn …. 17. 2 Kings 20. 3. with 2 Chron. 32. 25.
3. The pride of gifts, exprest,
By great thoughts of our selues, being wise in our selues, Rom. 12. 16.
By fretting with enuy at the gifts and respects of others, Num. 1…. 2, 8, 9.
By being ouer-confident of our owne innocency, Iob 34. 5, 6.
By desire to prie into the secret things of God, being not content with things reuealed, Deut. 29. vlt Rom. 12. 3.
4. Pride in sinning, and so he is guilty,
That dares commit great euils against his knowledge.
That seemes wise in maintaining sinne, Prou. 3. 7. Psal. 52. 7.
That hardens his heart against repentance, 1. Sam. 15. 22, 23. Numb. 15. 30, 31. Ierem. 16. 12. Iob 34. 37.
That sinnes with affectation, that glories in it, as he that takes a pride in drunkennesse, Isai. 28. 1, 3.
That frets because he is cro… in sinne, Prou. 19. 3. And thus … Pride.
The sixt sinne is the neglect … 6. How many waies men sin against Gods mercy.Gods mercy: and this is the mor… grieuous offence, because merc… is the most eminent attribute … God. For the sinnes of this kind worlds of men are damned i… hell, Iohn 3. 19.
And against Gods mercy hee offends,
That askes wherein God hath loued him, Mal. 1. 2.
That abuseth Gods blessings, Hos. 10. 1. & 11. 3, 4.
That obserues not the mercy of God in his prouidence, Hosea 2. 8.
That in aduersitie saith, God cares not for him, or hath passed ouer his iudgements, or hath forsaken him, Isaiah. 40. 28. and 49. 14.
That enquireth not after God, Zeph. 1. 6.
That beleeues not Gods premises, through neglect or despaire.
That blesseth his heart against Gods threatnings, Deut. 29. 19.
That forsakes his owne mercy, by trusting to lying vanities, Ionah 2. 8.
That scoffes at the signes of Gods mercy, Isai. 7. 12, 13.
That sacrificeth to his owne net, ascribing the praise to himselfe, Hab. 1. 16.
That seekes not to God in his distresse, 2 Chron. 16. 12.
That sayes God cannot deliuer, 2 Kings 6. 33. and 7. 2.
That answers not when God calls, Isai. 50. 2.
That limits God, Psal. 78. 41.
That hath a spirit of bitternesse through discontent, Hosea 12. 14.
That dishonours God by his euill life, Rom. 2. 24.
Thus of the sins against Gods merciemercy.
The seuenth sinne is resorting 7.to witches, Isai. 8. 19, 20. Leuit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 11.
Eightly, hee offends, that disregards 8.Gods Workes, Isaiah 5. 12.
Ninthly, that lies against God, hauing professed to hauehave God to 9.be his God Isai. 29. 13. And so he doth,
That opposeth the truth and objects against it.
That performes not what hee promised in his sicknesse, or aduersity, or at the Sacraments.
That falleth away from the truth.
Tenthly, that feares not God, 10. Offences against the f…re of God.or not in a right manner: and so he sinneth,
That feares God onelyonly for reward, Iob 1. 9.
That feareth God onelyonly because of punishment, Hos. 3. 5.
That is not afraid of Gods presence, or threatnings, Psal. 36. 1, 2. Isaiah 66. 1. Ierem. 6. 10.
That comforts not men in misery, Iob 6. 14.
That meddles with changers, or the seditious, Prou. 24. 21.
That in matter of sinne is wise in his owne eyes, and will not depart from iniquitie, Prou. 3. 7.
That sins, because God doth forbeare to punish, Eccles. 8. 13. Psal. 50. 19, 21.
That feares the signes of Heauen, Ierem. 10. 2.
That finds an hardnesse of heart against Gods feare, Isaiah 63. 17.
Thus of the sinnes against the feare of God.
Eleuenthly, That trusts not in 11. Offences against the trust in God.God, and so he offends.
That asketh not counsell of God, Isaiah 31. 1. and 30. 1, 2. but vseth carnall helpes.
That saith, there is no hope, Ierem. 3. 23.
That trusts in man, and makes flesh his arme, Ierem. 17. 5.
That puts his confidence in his wealth, Prou. 10. 15. Iob 31. 24.
That leanes to his owne vnderstanding, Prou. 3. 5.
That drawes not neere vntounto God in aduersitie, Zeph. 3. 2.
That impatiently desireth death, Iob 7. 15.
Thus of the sinnes against trust in God.
Twelfthly, That neglects communion 12with the godly: he hath not God for his God, that is, no… ioyned to Gods people: and this is aggrauated against him,
That in contempt of godliness… goeth in the company of the wicked, Iob 34. 8, 9.
That reprocheth Gods people Psal. 74. 10, 18. Esay 57. 3, 4.
That accounts the godly as signes and wonders, Esay 8. 18.
That reioyces in their disgraces, Ezechiel 25. 6.
That forsakes their fellowship, either through carelesnesse and apos…y, Heb. 10. 25. or through …hisine, Esay 65. 2, 5.
That for malice persecutes them, or casts them out of the Church, Esay 66. 5.
And thus of the sinnes against the nature of God.
CHAP. V.
Shewing how men offend against the meanes of Gods worship.
THe sins against the meanes of Gods worship follow, and these are of three sorts.
1. Not worshipping.
2. Will-worshipping.
3. Idoll worshipping.
For the first, he offends in generall,
That worships not God, Zac. 14. 17.1. Not worshipping.
That calls not vponupon the Name of the Lord, Ps. 14. 4. Esay 64. 7.
That comes not to the Church 2. Chron. 29. 6, 7.
That prayes not in his family, Ier. 10. 25.
That receiueth not the Preachers of the Gospel, Matthe… 10. 14.
The aggrauations are, when a man is so far from worshipping The aggrauations.atight,
That hee offers the blind and the lame for the maintenance … Gods seruice, Mal. 1. 8, 14.
That he deuoures things sanctified, that should be employe… for the furtherance of Gods seruice, Prou. 20. 25.
That forbids Gods faithful Ministers to preach in the Name of Christ, Acts. 4. 17. 1. Thes. 2. 16
That disswades men from Gods worship, vponupon preten… that it is either polluted, Mal…. 7, 12, 13. or vaine, Mal. 3. 14.
That is wayward, or neue… pleased with all, or any part … Gods worship, or the mean… thereof, Math. 1…. 16.
Thus of sinnes of irreligiousnesse, or not worshipping.
Will-worship followes, and so 2 Will worship.he offends,
1. That deuiseth any thing of himselfe, to the intent to serue God by it, Numb. 15. 38, 39.
2. That serues God for custome, or after the old manner, making the example of Fathers, or fore fathers the rule of his seruice, 2 Kings 17. 34. Ier. 9. 13, 14 Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18.
3. That feares God after the precepts of men, Esay 29. 13.
4. That being not a Minister, doth the worke of a Minister, vponupon pretence of necessity or deuotion, 2 Chron. 26. 16.
5. That vrgeth the lesser things of the Law, and neglects the greater, Math. 23. 23.
The aggrauations are,
To vrge menstraditions with The aggrauations.opinion of necessity, and with neglect of Gods Law, Matthew 15. 2, 3, 9.
To desire to bee taught vaine things, Esay 30. 9, 10, 11.
To borrow rites and obseruations from the professed enemies of God, to adde them as parts of Gods worship, 2 Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 3, 4, 13. Ezech. 11. 12.
Idoll worship followes, and so men offend, either first inwardly, 3. Idoll worshipping.or second outwardly.
Inwardly he offends, that conceiues of God in the likenesse of any thing created, and manifests his offence. If he direct his worship to that likenes, Comman. 2. Acts 17. 16. 1 Iohn 2. 2….
Outwardly he offends,
That makes an Image to resemble God by it, Deut. 4. 12, 15. Esay 40. 18.
That vseth any gesture of louelove and reuerence vntounto such Images, by whomsoeuer made, Hos. 13. 2
That mentions the names of Idols, either by way of swearing or apologie, Exodus 23. 13.
That is present at the Idolatrous feasts, and therefore hee much more offends that is present at the seruice of the idoll, 1 Cor. 10. 21, 22. Exod. 34. 15. Psal. 106. 28.
That worshippeth the Image or God in the Image, Comm. 2… Exod. 32. Iudg. 17. 3.
Thus of the sinnes against the meanes of Gods worship.
CHAP. VI.
Shewing how many wayes men sin against the holy manner of Gods worship.
THe sins against the manner of Gods worship follow.
And because it were tedious to reckon vp the seuerall sinnes against each part of Gods worship, because in diuers things the same offences may bee committed against any one of the parts of Gods seruice: Therefore I will briefely touch the generall wayes of offending in the manner of any worship of God, and then more specially reckon the sins against those parts of Gods worship, that are most vsuall and ordinary.
It is an offence in any seruice Sins in any part of Gods worship.due to God, to serue him
Hypocritically; in shew and not in deed, Esay 29. 13.
Without repentance: to bring the louelove of any sinne to any part of his seruice, Esay 1. 15.
Without delight and willingnesse, Ioshua 24. 15.
Without constancie: to serue him but by …its, Hosea 6. 4.
Without consideration or reuerence, Eccl. 5. 1, 2.
Thus in generall.
In particular.
1. He offends in hearing the 1. Sinnes in hearing.VVord.
That is vnteachable, Esay 28. 9, 10, 11.
That hath idols in his heart through lust, or malice, or couetousnesse, Ezechiel 14. 7. Iames 1. 21.
That heares without attention, and comes for custome sake, Eccl. 5. 1. Ezech. 33. 31, 32.
That is not a doer of the word, Matthew 7. 26.
2. He offends in Prayer,2. Sinnes in Pray…r.
That praies not at all times, or with perseuerance in prayer, Iob 27. 10. Luke 18. 1.
That prayes without vnderstanding, or power of the Spirit 1 Cor. 14. 15.
That delights not in the Almighty, Iob 22. 26.
That regards wickednesse in his heart, Psalme 66. 18. Pro. 21. 27. Esay 1. 15, 16.
That doubts and wa…ers, or is discontented vponupon false surmises that God heareth him not, Iames 1. 5, 6. Mal. 2. 13.3. Sins abou… the Sacraments of …he Lord… Supper.
3. He offends in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper,
That discernes not the Lords Body, 1 Cor. 11. 29.
That examines not himselfe before hee eates of that Bread, and drinkes of that Cup, refusing to iudge himself for known offences, 1 Cor. 11. 28.
That beleeues not the operation of God, Col. 2. 12.
That reconciles not himselfe to such as hee hath offended by trespassing against them, Mat. 5.
That despiseth the Church and people of God, 1 Cor. 11. 22.
4 He offends in swearing, 4. About swearing.That sweares by that which is no God, Ier. 5.
That sweares in common talke and feares not an oath, Ier. 23. 10. Math. 5. 34. Eccl. 9. 2.
That sweares falsly, Zach. 5. 4.
That loues false oathes, Zach. 8. 17.
CHAP. VII.
Which shewes how men offend in breaking the Sabbath.
HItherto of the sins against the meanes and manner of Gods, worship, thetime of Gods worship followes, which is principally the Sabbath.
Now sinnes against the Sabbath are either more secretly, or more openly.
More secretly he offends,More secret off…nces against the Sabbath.
That remembers not the Sabbath day before it come, to vnloade his heart of worldly cares and businesse, Comm. 4.
That longs to hauehave the Sabbath ouer-past, Amos 8. 5.
That spends the day in idlenes.
That flourisheth not according to the blessings of God, in respect of the meanes on the Sabbath day, Psal. 92. the title, with verse 13, 14.
That honours not the Sabbath with delight to doe Gods worke on that day, Esay 58. 13.
That is vnwilling to be informed concerning the authoritie and seruice of the Sabbath. This is to hide his eyes from the Sabbath, as the phrase is, Ezechiel 22. 26.
More openly he offends,The open breaches.
That omits publike or priuate duties, or comes in too late, or goes out too soone, Ezech. 46. 10. Psal. 92. the title with vers. 2. Leuit. 23. 3.
That doth any manner of worke on that day, Exod. 20. 10, 11. and 31. 15.
And thus he offends,
That sels wares, Neh. 10. 31. and 13. 15, 20.
That carries burthens, Neh. 13. 15, 19. Ier. 17. 21.
That trauels abroad, Exodus 16. 29.
Yea, he offends,
That works in haruest on that day, Exod. 34. 22. Neh. 14. 15.
That workes, vponupon pretence Note.it is a light worke, Exod. 16. 27, 28. and 35. 2, 3. Numb. 15. 32. Matth. 12. 1, &c.
That employes his cattell or seruants, though he worke not himselfe, Exod. 23. 12.
That finds his pleasures, that is, that vseth recreations, Esay 58. 13.
That speakes his own words, Esay 58. 13.
That hauing power, reformes not the abuses of others against the Sabbath, Nehem. 13. Ier. 17.
The aggrauation is, to doe any of these things presumptuously.