The Bibles Abstract and Epitome, Part 93
Infidelitie and Incredulitie.
INfidelitie is the sinne wherein every man is conceived, and the seed thereof remaineth still in the children of God, whereby men do not beleeve often-times that which the Lord promiseth to bring to passe; as also causeth men to feare authoritie of the Creature, more then the glorious Majestie of the eternall God: which proceedeth from this, that men consider not of God as he extendeth his providence over all things, and as he is a mightie Judge, taking revenge upon all sinne and wickednesse. This sinne taketh hold of a man chiefly in time of some danger, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and often at the time of death. In a word, this sinne is the cause of all sinne, in that it maketh the wicked not to beleeve, but in part; and see but in a glasse, in that although they consent generally to the truth, yet when they come to particulars, they reason thus with themselves: How can that …e? By what meanes possible should this be? by reason whereof the Lord suffereth them to miscarry, and punisheth them in their own affections.
The fruits of Infidelitie are impatiencie, such was in Ieremiah; tempting ofIer. 20. 4. Matth 4. 7. 1 Cor. 10. 9. Gen. …. Psal. 116. 11. 1 Thes. 4. 13. &c. God, whereof Christ speaketh: Desperation, such was in Cain, and doubtfulnesse of the Truth, such was in David, saying, I was sore troubled: I said in my haste all men are …yars: Such also was in the Thessalonians, who dou…ted of the Resurrection.
Through Infidelitie
Adam and Eve distrusted Gods Word spoken unto them.Gen. 3. Gen. 12. Ch. 26. Ch. 15. 2. 1 Kin. 22. Mark 8. 16. Act. 27. Joh. 7. 4. Lu. 24. 38.
Abraham and Isaac doubted to make their wives knowne.
Ahab presumed to goe to battell against Ramoth Gilead.
The Apostles reasoned among themselves what to doe for want of bread.Luk. 24. 19.
The Centurion woudl hardly give credit unto St Pauls word.
Christs brethren were not perswaded that Christ came from God.
David Said that he should die by the hand of Saul, asked the second time, if he should save Ke…lah, and smite the Philistine, doubted of Gods1 Sam. 27. 2 Sam. 23. Psal. 31. 22. Psal. 77. 8, 10. Luk. 24. 38. Matth. 17. 20. Iudg. 6. 2 King 22. Jer. 40. 14. Gen. 45. Exod. 6. 3. Psal. 78. 19. Numb. 13. 32. Exod. 17. 7. …zt. 17. 11. Ro. 11. 20. Joh. 12. 37. & 9. 1…. Isai. 53. 1. Rom. 11. 20. Psal. 78. 19. Gen. 48. 17. merciemercy towards him, and therefore demanded of the Lord, if he had shut up his loving kindnesse in displeasure against him, saying, with the same breath▪ This is my death, as despairing.
The Disciples made question, if that Christ were from death risen: as alsoLuk. 24. 39. whether he could heale the Lunatique one?
Gideon and Hezekiah desired signes to confirme them.
Gedaliah hearkened not to the good counsell of Iohanan.
Iacobs heart failed him, hearing that Ioseph was living.
The Israelites Hearkned not to Moses, being sent to deliver them.
The Israelites In the wildernesse doubted God could not preserve them.
The Israelites Also some of them brought a slander on the land of Canaan.
Jewes regarded not the words of the man born blinde restored to sight again, or of other miracles by Christ done: For which they are broken off for a time.
Ioseph was displeased with Iacob his Father for blessing his younger sonne,Job 9. 16. Ephraim, before Manasseh the elder.
Ioshua doubted whether God would bring Israel over Jorden.Iosh. 7. 7. 2 King. 5. Chap. 7. 12. Jer. 20. Job 30. Gen. 4. Gen. 19. Chap. 19. 19. Numb. 20. Chap. 11. 13.
Iehoram made question that Elisha could not cleanse the leprosie of Naaman: as also doubted that the Syrians were not fled, as it was reported unto him.
Ieremiah and Iob complained against God afflicting them.
Kain thought not that sin lay at the doore, as God told him.
Lots daughters said, there was no man to come in to them.
Lots sons derided Lots admonition to depart out of Sodome▪
Moses and Aaron Sanctified not the Lord at the waters of Meribah, as the Lord commanded; As also Moses doubted that God could not feed the Israelites with flesh, as he had said.
Martha said to Christ, Lord, he stinketh, he hath been foure dayes dead (meaningIoh. 11. 39. Lazarus) whom Christ raised.
Mary questioned how it could be with her as the Angel said.Luk. 1. 34. Act. 12. Dan. 4. Matth. 13. 58.
The men that heard Petor knock, said it was the Angel of him.
Nebuchadnezzar hearkned not to the counsell by Daniel given.
The Nazarites held not Christ to be the M…ssias that was to come, and therefore Christ did not many miracles among them.
Nicodemu… reasoned with Christ, how a man could be born again.Iohn 3. 2 King. 5. Gen. 6. Gen. 37. Exod. 5. 2 King. 7. Mat. 27. Cha. 14. Gen. 18. Matth. 19 24. 2 King. 4. 16. 1 Sam. 15. 1 Sam. 16. Chap. 17. 33. 1 Sam. 16. 1 Thes. 4. 13. Joh. 20. Luke 1.
Naaman made question, how he could be cleansed by washing.
Old words repented not by Noahs preaching so long unto them.
Patriarchs hearkned not to Ioseph telling them his dreame.
Pharaoh kept the Israelites in bondage, not thinking to deliver them.
The Prince of samaria said, Corn could not be plenty, as the Prophet said.
Peter three times denyed Christ: and of sinking doubted.
Sarah hearing she should have a childe laughed.
Saul Hearkened not to God in destroying Agag, and doubted that David could not encounter with Goliah the Philistine, till he told him that he had slain a Beare, and a Lion.
Samuel feared to anoint David, as the Lord commanded him.
Thessalonians doubted of the Resurrection: Thomas that Christ was risen.
Zacharias that Elizabeth his wife should beare him a sonne.
Use.
1. Against Infidelitie thou must have Faith and Fortitude the gift of God.Rev. 2. 10. Mark 9. 24.
2. With the man in the Gospel, pray thy unbeliefe may be holpen by God. Reade Act. 8. 13. Syr. 2. 13.