A Christian Library, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
§ 1. ANd thus according to my scantling, I have spread before you what God and Christ hath done for us: and how we have again required him. Though God (who searcheth the heart, and trieth the reins) knows infinitely more by us, and sees what strange monsters; what ugly, odious, hideous fiends: what swarms, what litters, what legions of noysome lusts, are couched in the stinking styes of every one of our deceitful hearts: and findes, that if all our thoughts did but break forth into action, we should not come far short of the Devils themselves.
And certainly, if we shall compare the numberless number of our great and grievous abominations, wherewith our Land is filled from corner to corner; with the many means which God hath afforded for our reclaiming: it will be found, that no Nation under heaven, did ever more provoke the Lord. Nor hath he ever strove more with any Nation to reclaim them, then he hath done with us: for when neither mercies, nor any ordinary means would serve the turn; he hath at several times visited us with several judgements, to try what they would do: But we have been so little moved therewith, that instead of becomming better, we have bin the worse for them, (as appears at this day) and more audacious in declaring our sins; as if with Sodom, we took a pride in them, to the great dishonour of our Redeemer ▪ and his Gospel; and to the hardening of all that hear of it: so that our horrid sins are grown up unto heaven ▪ in regard whereof we may justly be confounded, and ashamed to lift up our eyes unto him, who is a Lord so great, and terrible: of such glorious Majesty and infinite purity. Now he that hath ears, let him hear: and he that hath wit, let him consider, and lay it to heart, how thankful a people we are. And not onelyonly ye, ô inhabitants of this our Jerusalem and Judah, would I have to judge, between Christ and his Vineyard; what he could have done for us, more then he hath done, Isaiah 5.4, to 8. But heare ye also▪ ô heavens, and give eare, ô earth; be astonished at it, and horribly afraid, that this foolish people and unwise, should so requite the Lord, Jer. 2.11, &c. Isai. 1.2, to 9. and Verse 15, to 25. Deut. 32.6, &c.
Oh my Brethren, Englands unthankfulness hath striven with Gods goodness for the victory, as Absalom strove with David, whether the Father should be more kinde to the son, or the son more unkinde to the Father. We have been fatted with his blessings, and then spurned at his precepts; resembling the Leopard, who wrongs them most, that give him most fodder.
§ 2. But why do I call it, unthankfulness? when our sin is many degrees beyond ingratitude it self: For not to confesse a benefit, is the utmost confine of unthankfulnesse: meer ingratitude, returnes nothing for good, but we return evil, yea the greatest, and most malicious evil, for the greatest, and most admired love.
Argue with all the World, and they will conclude, there is no vice like ingratitude: But we are more ingrateful to God, then can be exprest by the best Oratour alive. It was horrible ingratitude, which the chief Butler shewed to Ioseph, Gen. 41.9. which the nine Lepers shewed to Christ, Luk. 17. 17, 18. which the men of Succoth, and Penuel, shewed to Gideon, Iudg. ….6, 8. which those five spies shewed to Micha, Iugd. 18.14, 18. It was worse which the Israelites shewed to Gideons seed, Iudg. 9.17, 18. which Michael Thraulus shewed to Leo the Emperour; which Iustinianus shewed to that renowned Captain Bellizarius. It was yet worse, which Popilius shewed to Cicero; which Lycaon shewed to his stranger guests, that came to him for relief. It was worst of all in the Iews, to scourge and crucifie Christ, who did them good every way: for he healed their diseases, fed their bodies, enlightened their mindes; of God became Man, and lived miserably amongst them many years, that he might save their souls: (though in killing him, they did their utmost; to sink the onelyonly ship that could save them.) But all these fall far short of our ingratitude to God: for his maintenance we take and live on, the bread we eat, the air we breath, the cloaths we weare, all are his.
§ 3. That we are out of Hel, there to fry in flames, never to be freed: That we have the free offer of grace here, and everlasting glory hereafter in Heaven; where are such joyes, as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entred into the heart of man to conceive, 1 Cor. 2.9. we are beholding to him: Yet we not onelyonly deny this Lord that hath bought us, (as every one does; that prefers Mammon, or any other thing before him) but we hate him, (as he doth hate, and not love God; that loves what he hates, or hates what he loves:) but most spightfully, and maliciously fight on Satans and sins side, against him: and persecute his Children, and the truth with all our might; perswading, and enforcing others to do the same; even wishing that we could pull him out of his Throne, rather then to admit him our just Iudge: And all this against knowledge and conscience, after illumination. I wish men would a little think of it; and then if this will not melt their hearts, no hope that any other means should do it, but perish they must.
§ 4. I confess, I have small hope, that what hath been said of Gods love, and our odious unthankfulness: his goodness, and our ingratitude; (which being seriously considered, were enough to bring the whole world upon their knees) should make them any whit ashamed, or the better; because their blockishness is such, that they think themselves good enough, and that to doubt of it, or strive to be more holy, were but a foolish and needless scrupulosity. Yea, they prefer their condition, before other mens that are so consciencious; A thing strange! yet it is so: For although there be not a leaf in the sacred Volume, but hath matter against a voluptuous life, none for it: For …o please flesh and blood, is the Doctrine of the Devill. Yet how do a wo…ld of men stifle their consciences, and force themselves to believe, if it were possible: that in case men will not swear, drink drunk, conform to their lewd customes, and the like; they are overprecise: and that God will like a man the worse, for his being the better; or for having of a tender Conscience. And that he looks for less fear, reverence, and obedience from his servants; then we do from our servants: and yet hold that a servant can never be too punctual, in his obedience to his Masters lawful commands. They think it not enough for themselves, to prefer the pleasing of their senses, before the saving of their souls: and to venture tasting the forbidden fruit, at the price of death eternal: but they account them fools, that do otherwise.