The Grand Trial of True Conversion, Treatise 3 (2 of 3)

The Grand Trial of True Conversion · Treatise 3 (2 of 3)

p. 153By this Text thus opened it is evident, that to think baſely and reproachfully of our brethren, is a great ſinne, which makes us liable to the dreadfull judgement of God, men firſt ſpeak this Raca of their brother in their thoughts, before they ſpeak it to their brother with their mouths.

3. We are guilty of theſe diſhonouring thoughts, in relation to mens ſpirituall eſtates, when we think thus, I am more holy and righteous than others, that theſe were the common thoughts of that Phariſee, Luke 18. is evident by his ſpeeches; I am not as other Luke 18. 11.Luke 18:11men are, or as this Publican. I exceed p. 154all others in righteouſneſſe and ſtrict walking, this Publican is a baſe fellow, far below me, he is a ſuperlative ſinner, he is thus and thus—this proud Phariſee thinks himſelf the chief Saint, more righteous than any man living, as his own words clearly import; I am not as the rest of men be, therefore Luke 18. 11.Luke 18:11hee ſtands apart by himſelf praying, yea, every man by corrupt nature is apt to have low undervaluing Thoughts of others in compariſon of themſelves, therefore it is Gods command, that eveman in humility ſhould think others more Phl. 2. 3, foreign.excellent than themſelves, hereby giving us to underſtand, that we are apt through pride, to think our ſelves more excellent than others.

2. The hearts of men naturally are poſſeſſed with murdering thoughts againſt their Neighbours, either directly or by way of tendency, whereby they violate the ſixth precept, theſe are,

1. Ʋnmercifull thoughts, when the object of mercy is before them, and a preſent opportunity of doing good, and yet they think thus in their hearts, I will not look upon this object, I will not diſtribute to him, I have many occaſions p. 155of expences, &c. Deut. 15. 9. Beware that there be not a wicked thought in thine heart and thine eye be evil toward thy poor brother, and thou giveſt not unto him, &c.

What wicked murdering thought is this, that is here condemned? ſome ſuch thought as this, I will not pity the poor, I will not give to him, I muſt provide for mine own, &c.

This unmercifull thought ſhows it ſelf in theſe two effects.

1. An evil eye, when men turn away their face from their poor brethren, and will not caſt a compaſſionate look on them.

2. A niggardly hand, when they ſhut up their bounty, not diſtributing according to ability and opportunity, to ſuch as are fit objects of mercy.

2. Mens hearts are full of cruel oppreſſing thoughts againſt the poor, which do produce oppreſſive over-reaching dealings, and grinding the face of the poor, &c. the ſpoil of the poor is in their houſes.Iſa. 3. 14, 15.Isa 3:14Isa 3:15

2. The ſecond murdering thought, which fills the hearts of ſinners, are ſpightfull, hatefull thoughts againſt the Saints: Carnal men being the ſeed of the old ſerpent are poſſeſſed with Cain-like p. 156Pſal. 74.Ps 74thoughts of enmity againſt the holy ſeed of Chriſt.

3. Men naturally are full of revengefull thoughts, which make their hearts a very ſlaughter-houſe: upon any reall or imaginary wrong done to them, they are apt to think thus, I will be even with ſuch an one, if ever occaſion ſerve, I will do to him as he hath done to me: theſe thoughts of retaliation are expreſly forbidden, Prov. 24: 28. 29. do not ſay, (in thine heart) as he hath done unto me, ſo will I do unto him, I will return unto the man according to his work.

3 The hearts of carnall men are full of adulerous thoughts, whereby they tranſgreſſe the ſeventh Commandment. The Law is ſpirituall and condemneth all thought-defilements, the Phariſees Rom 7. 14Rom 7:14reſtrained this precept to the outward act onelyonly, but the great Law-giver expounds it more ſpiritually, and ſhows us, that there is a mentall heart adulterie, which men commit in their thoughts every unchaſt inordinate thinking of a Mat. 5. 27, 28.Matt 5:27Matt 5:28woman makes men guilty of adultery: therefore Job reſolves that he would not Job 31.Job 31think of a maid, men are apt to bleſſe themſelves with the Phariſee, that they Luke 18.Luke 18are no adulterers in their bodies, but they p. 157do not conſider what a world of adultery 2 Cor. 7. 1.2 Cor 7:1they commit in their thoughts.

This thought filthineſſe doth exceedingly pollute mens ſpirits, and provoke God againſt them, Gen. 65, 6.

2. Theſe unclean thoughts are incendiaries, and bellows of adulterous affections, the begetters of unclean ſpeeches, and actions: Davids eyes firſt filled his heart with adulterous thoughts, 2 Sam. 13. 2.2 Sam 13:2his thoughts fired his affections and brought forth the external act, which coſt him broken bones.Pſal: 51:

3. Theſe wanton, unclean thoughts, being lodged, do make the hearts of men a filthy Stews, a very hell upon earth, a houſe furniſhed and fitted for all unclean ſpirits to enter in, and dwell there.

4. The minds of men by corrupt nature are poſſeſſed with thieviſh defrauding thoughts againſt their neighbours, which are ſinnes againſt the eighth precept, they think and deviſe how they may over-reach and beguil thoſe with whom they trade, and go beyond them in bargaining; how they may make the Ephah ſmall, and the ſhekel great, how they may raiſe the price of their commodities, and leſſen their meaſures, and uſe deceit in weights, let ſuch remember.Amos 8 5.Amos 8:5

p. 5181. That God is the avenger of ſuch rhoughts and practiſes.

2. That theſe defrauding thoughts make mens hearts a den of thieves.

5. The hearts of men naturally are exceeding prone to falſe accuſing thoughts, concerning the perſons and practiſes of their neighbour, whereby they are offenders againſt the Ninth Commandement. Men are guilty of theſe falſe accuſing thoughts two wayes.

1. When they think and conceive perſons to be ungodly and hypocritical, who are indeed true hearted Saints, which is a condemning the righteous in their thoughts. Thus Eli had falſe thoughts of praying-perplexed Hannah, when the Apoſtl… were filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and ſpake 1 Sam 1. 13, 14, 15.1 Sam 1:131 Sam 1:141 Sam 1:15ſtrange tongues, the ill affected Jews thought them to be full of new wine.

2. We are guilty of this wicked Acts 2. 13.Acts 2:13thought, when we conceive that our brethren act and walk contrary to the light of their own conſciences, becauſe they do not walk up to the light that we think our ſelves to have attained; this is to intrude into Gods Throne, and to take upon us to ſearch and judge the p. 159heart, which is Gods Prerogative Royall.

2. When men think evil of thoſe practiſes that are good: thus when David ſtood up for the Lord of Hoſts, and declared his readineſſe and reſolution to fight with Goliah, he being moved thereto by Gods ſpirit, and filled with a ſpirit of faith, Eliab thinks that David did it out of the pride and malice of his 1 Sam. 17. 28.1 Sam 17:28heart. when carnal men hear their ſins laid open by the power of the word, they preſently think that the Miniſter aims at them in particular, that he doth this out of malice to diſgrace them, &c.

When Chriſt ſpake precious words of pardon & peace to the palſie man, Mat. 9. 2. the wicked Scribes thought thus in Matth. 9. 3, 4.Matt 9:3Matt 9:4their helliſh hearts, this man blaſphemeth.

Men of corrupt hearts are apt to think evil of the beſt ſpeeches and actions; ſo that all theſe thoughts of unrighteouſneſſe do ſwarm and ſettle in all carnall hearts, as evidently appears by the abounding of malice, oppreſſion, deceit, uncleanneſſe, falſhood, &c. in mens actions and ſpeeches, which have their firſt riſe & root, in their thoughts.

7. Out of the heart of men proceeds price of thoughts, which is a high and p. 160haughty conceit of our own excellency: pride is properly in mens thoughts, theſe are the pallace where it reſides and the Throne where it raigns, Luke 1 57. He Col. 2. foreign. 1 Cor. 5. 2. 1 Cor. 4 6. 4nd 8. 1. and 13. 4. foreign. Inflo or eſt ſuperbire & turgere, inſtar follis vento diſtenti Cornel. a lap. foreign Job 38. 8. 11. Pſal. 124. 5. foreign & foreign Ferbuit, ebullivit, per Metaphoram ſuperbivit, intumuit.Col 21 Cor 5:21 Cor 4:61 Cor 4:4Job 38:8Job 38:11Ps 124:5hath ſcattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, whereby it is evident, that men are proud in their thoughts.

2. Pride is a tumour and riſing up of our thoughts beyond their due bounds: we have four elegant expreſſions thereof in Scripture.

1. Pride is called a ſwelling and puffing up of mans fleſhly mind, Col. 2. 18. it is a heart ſwoln and blown up with lofty windy thoughts, as bellows and bladders are ſtretched out with wind, ſo the Hebrew words which are uſed to expreſſe mans pride ſignifie ſwelling, as Deut. 18. 22. the falſe Prophet is ſaid to ſpeak in the ſwe…ing of his mind: in ſwelling pride: the Hebrew word Zudh ſignifies to be lift up with ſwelling pride: it is applyed to the ſwelling waves of the ſea, which are called proud waves, proud waters, pride is like leaven caſt into mens hearts, which ſwelleth and ſowreth their thoughts.

2. Pride is expreſſed by largeneſſe and latitude of mind, Prov. 28. 25. He that is of a proud heart, ſtirs up ſtrife, p. 161according to the Hebrew it is, he that is large in heart, &c. when mens hearts are foreign Intumuit ſuperbiit, Schin. pro 28. foreign Eſt Metaph. a dimenſionibus rerum corporearum tranſlata ad animi …aſtum quo quaſi dilatatur, Cartio. Prov. 18. Sublimis ſuit per Metaphoram ſuperbivit. foreign. 2 Tim. 6. 17.Prov 18ſo dilated, diffuſed and inlarged in the thoughts of their own exceliencies, that they will not be contained in their due bounds, nor confined within their own place, condition and compaſſe.

3. Pride is expreſſed by a heart lifted up, Deut. 8. 14. and 17. 20. 2 Chron. 25. 19. and 26. 16. Prov. 18. 12. when men are exalted above meaſure in their thoughts, and do conceive a height and ſuperlative eminency of glory & worth, in themſelves, this lifting up is only imaginary, as that which hath its beginning and exiſtence from the falſe apprehenſions and opinion of empty men.

4 Pride is called high mindedneſſe, Rom. 11. 20. it is properly a high thought of our ſelves; a conc… of ſome eminent good in our ſelves, whereby truſting in our ſelves, we think more highly of our ſelves than is meet.

3. Pride of thoughts conſiſts in two things.

1. When we imagine that excellency in our ſelves, which is not.

2. When we conceive that excellency that is really in us, to be greater than it is.

p. 1621. The firſt and vileſt Act of pride is Gal. 6. 3.Gal 6:3to think our ſelves ſomething, when as we are nothing. Thus the Laodicean angel and Church think themſelves rich, and needing nothing, when as they were poor, miſerable, &c.Rev. 3. 17.Rev 3:17

2. We are apt to think our gifts, knowledge and perfections greater, than in truth they are.

Hence it is, that pride is called arrogancy, becauſe it is an arrogating and attributing more to our ſelves than is Jer. 48 9.Jer 48:9meet, when as the Scripture ſayes, that no man ſhould underſtand above that Rom. 12. 3. foreign.Rom 12:3which is meet to underſtand, no man muſt be overwiſe: the Greek word ſignifies to have an overweening opinion or conceit, as though one knew more than indeed he knoweth.

4. Pride of Tho…ts doth alwayes fix and feed upon ſome excellency that is in foreign Excellentia ſupe…bia, Buxt. Munſter us foreign eminuit, excelluit, ſuperbiit, Schindl. Levit. 26. foreignLev 26us, either real or imaginary: as humility fixeth our thoughts upon our own vileneſſe and nothingneſſe: Hence it is, that the Hebrew words Gaon and Gaanah, which are put for Pride, do alſo ſignifie excellency and magnificence, Levit. 26. 19. I will break the excellency, or the pomp, pride, haughtineſſe of your ſtrength, called elſewhere the excellency p. 163or pomp, the pride of the ſtrong ones, Ezek. 7. 24. and Job 6: 18. 36. 618. and 33. 28. Hoſ. 5. 5. to ſhow us that Pride is a vicious elevation and greatnes of Thoughts Materia, ſuperbiae, divitiae, dignit…s gloria ſaecularis originis. Iſa. 3. foreign Inſantiam notat.Isa 3from the apprehenſion of our own excellency.

5. Pride makes men conceive a ſuperexcellency in themſelves beyond all others, ſuch is the arrogancy of mans Thoughts, that they who are empty of all excellency, are apt to think themſelves more excellent, than they that are filled with the greateſt excellencies, this is plainly implyed in Iſa. 3. 5. where the Prophet makes this a fore-runner of a Nations ruine; the child will be proud againſt the ancient, and the vile againſt the honourable: that is▪ they that are Infants in knowledge … judgement, will think themſelves wiſer and more knowing than the ancient that are men in underſtanding, and vile, worthleſſe perſons will think themſelves more excellent than thoſe that are truly honourable.

6. As Pride makes men ſome body in their own apprehenſions, ſo it makes all Luke 18. 9, 10, 11. foreign.Luke 18:9Luke 18:10Luke 18:11others to be no body in their thoughts: it is the property of all proud, Phariſaicall men, they vilifie and nullifie all others p. 164in their thoughts, they think them foreign. Pro nihilo habeo, nullifico, &c. Tertul.to be nothing, to have no worth in them, they climb above others in their own Thoughts, and then trample upon them.

7. There be divers ſteps and degrees, wherby this pride of thoughts aſcends, and riſeth to the height, As 1. When men have high and lofty Thoughts of their naturall gifts, and externall excellencies, as wiſdom, learning, ſtrength, riches, honours, beauty, &c. this is 1 John 2. 16.1 John 2:16called pride of life: when they are raiſed in their Thoughts, becauſe raiſed in the things of this life, Pſal. 90. 10. the ſtrength of creatures is there called their pride, Rohbam: becauſe mens hearts are apt to ſwell in the apprehenſion of their foreignſtrength of bod… … ſtrength of parts, gifts, &c.

David was puffed up in the thought of his heart, his great ſucceſſes, & ſtrength of people, when he numbred the people.

So Ʋzziah, when his name ſpread far 2 Sam. 24, 1, 2, 4. 2 Chr. 26. 14, 15.2 Sam 24:12 Sam 24:22 Sam 24:42 Chr 26:142 Chr 26:15abroad, and when he was ſtrong, his heart was lifted up to his deſtruction, when men begin to have a name and fame for wiſdome, ſtrength, gifts of preaching, prayer, or elocution, warlike ſucceſſes, &c. and then are they in greateſt danger p. 165of being lifted up in their own thoughts; to be captivated by pride

Ʋzziahs high thoughts did riſe from the conceit of his high ſtrength, and ſelf ſufficiency: he now thinks himſelf ſufficient for the work and Miniſtry of the Prieſthood, he being a Magiſtrate intrudes into the Prieſts Office, and this is the great tranſgreſſion which is laid to his charge, this was the fruit of his pride, 2 Chron. 26. 16. When men are puffed up in their own conceits, they think themſelves ſufficient for any work Evangelical or angelical.

So Hezekiahs heart was lifted up, when 2 Chron. 32. 25. 27, 29: 1 Tim. 6. 17: foreign.2 Chr 32:252 Chr 32:272 Chr 32:291 Tim 6:17he had exceeding much riches, and honour and ſubſtance, theſe were the occaſions of his ſwelling Thoughts, therefore men rich in this world, …uſt be ſtrictly charged that they be not high minded.

To ſhow 1. How rich men, even the beſt of them, are inclined to think highly of themſelves.

2. That it is no eaſie thing to have low thoughts in a high eſtate.

2. The ſecond degree of pride is when The ſecond degree of pride.our minds are lifted up with high conceits of our ſupernaturall excellencies, as Spiritual Priviledges, gifts and enlargements, knowledge puffeth up, that p. 1661 Cor. 8. 1.1 Cor 8:1is knowledge made up of gifts of underſtanding, and notionall apprehenſions; ſuch windy knowledge ſwells up mens thoughts▪ light ſevered from the love of the Truth is the matter and occaſion of ſwelling Thoughts, the Corinthians were eminent in the gift of Knowledge, and this was the occaſion that they were ſo puffed up.

3. The third degree of pride, is when 1 Cor. 5. 2. 3. The third degree.1 Cor 5:21 Cor 5:3men have high thoughts of their own low Thoughts; it is a loftineſs of Thoughts, ariſing from the apprehenſion of their own fooliſhneſſe, when they begin to be ſomething in their own conceits, from the ſenſe that they are nothing in midſt of all their excellencies: this is the curſed nature of pride, that it will make not onelyonly the gifts, but alſo the gifts that we receive, matter whereon to work, as when people that ſate in darkneſſe are filled with appearances of Chriſt in their ſpirits, pride will take occaſion from that Divine Diſcovery to puffe up their thoughts.

2. Which is nore ſtrange, pride will take occaſion to work in our Thoughts from that ſelf abaſing grace of humility.

For when in true humility of heart we p. 167ſhall abhor and renounce all Thoughts of pride, and ſtrive to be nothing in our ſelves for ever; yet even then will pride be working, and fill us with high admiring thoughts of our own low abaſements. It is an effect and act of pride, to think highly of our ſelves, becauſe we are not proud, it is one of the Devils depths whereby he worketh moſt ſecretly and ſubtilly, if he cannot prevail to puffe us up in the conceit of our gifts, priviledges and high enjoyments: then his next policy is to fill our minds with high apprehenſions and admirations of our ſelf annihilations: ſo that now we begin to think thus with our ſelves. I ſee how others are puffed up with their excellent gifts and attainments. I have theſe and theſe parts, priviledges, and much eſteem among the Saints, and yet I find my Thoughts low and lowly in midſt of all theſe; hereuppon we begin to be high conceited of our ſelves, becauſe we are not high-minded.

4. The fourth degree of pride is to conceive and imagine a height of power Fourth degree.principality and poſſeſſion to our ſelves, to think our ſelves poſſeſſed of thoſe excellencies, that we are far from ever p. 168injoying, how much pride do men act in their Thoughts upon meer imaginary ſuppoſitions they conceive and contrive to themſelves.

1. What they would be for earthly excellencies, and then what they would do. Men frame a fools Paradiſe of dignity and delight, power and poſſeſſion to themſelves, and then bring themſelves into it, and there walk up and down in their Thoughts. They ſpeak in their Thought, as aſpiring Abſolon once to 2 Sam. 15. 4.2 Sam 15:4the people, oh if they were Judges in the Land; they would do this or that, they would ſurpaſs others in prudent, righteous adminiſtrations, ſelf deniall, &c. like children or frantick perſons, they imagin themſelves, Princes, Nobles, States-men, Rulers, Rich men, &c. They think if they had as great Eſtates as ſome have, in what a height of pomp and pleaſure they would live for gorgeous apparrell delicate diet, &c. men fancy to themſelves high places and poſſeſſions, and in the thoughts therof they pride and felicitate themſelves, almoſt as much as thoſe that really enjoy the things themſelves.

5. The fifth and higheſt degree of Fifth degree.Pride is when men imagine a kind of Deity in themſelves: now there be two p. 169ſelfe Deifying Thoughts, whereby they are guilty of deviliſh Pride. 1. When men think themſelves equal with God. 2. When they conceive themſelves to be as gods.

1. This is the moſt abominable height of pride, when men think themſelves equal with the moſt high, yet ſome have riſen up to this height of arrogancy, as the King of Babel, when he ſaid in his heart, I will aſcend above the height of the Iſa. 14. 14.Isa 14:14Clouds, and will be like the moſt high, ſuch alſo was the pride of Ninive, who Zeph: 2. 15.ſpeaks thus in her heart, I am and there is none beſide me.

Men are guilty of theſe ſelf Deifying-thoughts two wayes.

1. When they imagine a power in, and of themſelves, equal with Gods power, this was the pride of Nebuchadnezzar, when he ſaid, Who is that God, that can deliver you out of my hand?

2. When men do arrogate and aſſume to themſelves that honour and power, that is proper to God alone. this was the curſed pride of Herod, when he aſſented to that blaſphemous ſpeech of the people, and ſpake that in his thoughts, which they ſpake with their tongues, crying, the voice of God and p. 170not of man. this is that abominable arrogancy Acts 12. 21, 22Acts 12:21Acts 12:22of Antichrist, who ſitting in the Temple of God, exalts himſelf above 2. Theſ. 2 4. Dan. 11. 36.2 Thess 2:4Dan 11:36all that is called God, or worſhipped.

That man of ſinne is evidently the Pope of Rome, as appears by his ſelf goddifying Acts and Attributes: for though under a politick pretence of ſelf abaſing, he calls himſelf the ſervant of ſervants, yet in the height of his arrogant thoughts, he ſitteth as God; for he takes to himſelf that honour and power that is, Gods Royal Prerogative.

1. He claimeth a power to forgive ſinnes paſt, preſent and to come.

2. To preſcribe new Rules of worſhip.

3. To make lawes to bind the Conſcience properly.

4. To open and ſhut heaven.

5. To diſpoſe of earthly Kingdomes at his pleaſure.

6. To diſpenſe with the Moral Law, and with Apoſtolical Conſtitutions.

2. Men are guilty of theſe ſelf goddifying thoughts, when they think themſelves to be as gods. The Devil in the beginning made an impreſſion of this Gen. 3. 4, 5. 1 John 9. 7.Gen 3:4Gen 3:5proud thought upon our firſt Parents, ye ſhall be as gods, and we being in their p. 171loins when they ſinned and deſcending from them by ordinary generation, do receive that corruption from them whereby we are inclined to think thus proudly of our ſelves, that we have a kind of Deity in our ſelves.

This I take to be the meaning of that place. The Lord God ſaid, behold, man is become as one of us three, the Father, 1 John 5. 7.1 John 5:7the Son, and the holy ſpirit. Man is not become as God really and indeed: for we are by our fall come to be as the Devil, but men are as gods in their own proud imaginations: hereby Jehovah would diſcover to Adam and all his poſterity what thoughts of deviliſh pride are now rooted and revealed in their depraved natures, by believing the Serpents deceitfull promiſes.

8. This Pride of Thoughts is predominant in all unregenerate men, predominant ſinnes are of two ſorts, particular or univerſal.

1. Every man in his carnal eſtate hath his particular maſter ſinne, which is predominant in his affections, and whereunto he is moſt ſtrongly carried. this we call the ſinners boſome-beloved-ſinne, in ſome 'tis avarice, in others ambition, &c, but Pride is an univerſall predominant p. 172ſinne, which raigns and revels in all unſanctified men, as their great Goliah.

Ob. Some will ſay, we find not this pride of thoughts working in our hearts.

Anſw. 1. They that are moſt fill'd with this pride, do leaſt feel it in themſelves; the leſſe we diſcern it in our ſelves, the more it domineers in us.

2. The deeper ſight and ſenſe we have of this ſinne, the more we are delivered from it.

9. This pride of thoughts is a Capital and Radical ſinne, it produceth many damnable evils, and dangerous Superbia eſt caput atque cauſa omnium delictorum, ſcriptum eſt enim, initium peccati omnis ſuperbia, Auguſtinus prior eſt in vitus ſuperbia, non enim invidia parit ſuperbiam, ſed ſuperbia parit invidiam, Aug.fruits, as

1. Diſcontent with our preſent condition, pride makes men think themſelves greater than the greateſt outward mercy.

2. Ambition, whereby men ſeek great things for themſelves, Jer. 45. 4, 5.

3. Vain boaſting, whereby they ſpeak of themſelves, their gifts and eminencies, more than is comely.

4. Hypocriſy whereby men make profeſſion of thoſe gifts and graces that really they have not, or of a higher meaſure than indeed they have.

p. 1735. Obſtinacy, and perſiſting in error againſt clear light, when men are ingaged in a corrupt opinion, they will not be convinced; their error may daily be overthrown, but their pride will not yield to the truth.

Queſt. How ſhall we know whether our differing in opinion from brethren proceed from pride or from conſcience, and want of convincing light?

Anſwer, When men behave themſelves humbly and meekly, when they cannot ſee what their brethren do, this argues it is from conſcience, not from Pride and Obſtinacy, but when they appear haughty lofty and cenſorious, and think that thoſe that diſſent from them are wilfull, and will not ſee the truth, or els do act againſt their light, this ſhows that ſuch are acted by a ſpirit of pride, and not by Conſcience: humility thinketh no evil.

6. Pride of Thoughts is the cauſe of Diviſion, Contention, and ſtriving one againſt another in word or deed, Prov. 13. 10. onelyonly by pride cometh contention, all contention is imputed to pride, that is indi&ed for the common diſturber of peace.

1. Pride makes men prove to be injurious to others.

p. 1742. Out of theſe injuries ariſe ſtrifes and brawlings.

3. Out of contentions murder often breaks forth. Hamans pride filled his heart with an inſatiable thirſt after the blood of the Jews. The wicked Heſt. 3. Pſal: 10. 2. Micah 18. 1, 2, 3. foreign Judg. 8. 1. c. 12 1, 2. 3.Judg 8:1mans perſecuting the afflicted proceeds from his pride, this was the cauſe of thoſe contentions among the Apoſtles, we may judge of the cauſe by the cure.

It is an elegant ſpeech of the learned Hebrews, Men whoſe ſpirits are lifted up are made turbulent by the leaſt wind, by the leaſt occaſion.

OnelyOnly or meerly by pride comes Contention, the meaning is, that pride of it ſelf without the concurrence of any other corruption doth kindle ſtrife, proud men are apt to be contentious when no occaſion is offered, this is manifeſt in the Ephraimites, who being puffed up in their multitudes, contend with Gedeon about that for which they ought to be gratefull, and being called to battell they came not, and yet contend with Jephta, becauſe they were not called, pride breaks out into ſtrife, when there is no provocation, and in midſt of peace prepares for warre.

This pride of Thoughts is the chief p. 175dividing Principle, the great Incendiary and Maſter of miſrule, it is the root of contention divers wayes.

1. Proud perſons, they cannot endure to be croſſed or contradicted, they think themſelves too great to be croſſed and the leaſt croſſe too great for them to bear.

2. they vilifie others, and are vilified by others.

3. Pride makes men ſeekafter eminency, and if they cannot be eminent one way they will ſtrive to be eminent another way, if they cannot be the onelyonly men in the world, yet they will be ſome body, pride alwayes affects preheminence, and contends for primacy.

4. Pride makes every man highly conceited of his own way and opinion, becauſe it is his own, this prevents all yielding to each others, and ſo begets endleſſe wrangling.

5. One proud man thinks himſelf the onelyonly man, and therefore worthy of reſpect from all men.

6. One proud man hates the apparitions of pride in another, and one hates another.

7. Through pride men ſet up their p. 176own wills, and opinions, as the rule of other mens actions and opinions.

8. Proud men never ſearch into their own defects aand defil…ments, but they ſtudy their gifts and perfections hence they are ſevere cenſurers of other mens failings and ſle…ghters of their gifts and vertues.

9. If proud men be but touched in their name and ſtate, they preſently take up arms of revenge.

7. This pride of Thoughts makés men the greateſt contenders and fighters againſt God, he looks upon haughty perſons, as his higheſt enem…es.

1. Proud men do exalt themſelves above God, they lift up their will above his will, they ſpeak thus in their thoughts and works, my will ſhall be followed rather than Gods will.

2. They will have their own wills, Exaltatio & & inſlatio arrogans atque ſuperba jactatio. De Antichriſti ſpiritu naſcitur &c. Cyprian. Cornelio.whether juſt or unjuſt.

3. Proud men have the ſpirit of Antichriſt, pride and ſelf exalting is born of the ſpirit of Antichriſt.

2. Proud men go from God, they leave God and his wayes, as if they could live without him, they ſay in their hearts, as once thoſe proud people of Iſrael, we are Lords, we will come no more unto thee.Jer. 2. 25.Jer 2:25

p. 1772. There is much Pride in all Propter ſuperbi…m dedignan…ur homines ſubdere colla jugo Chriſti, ohligati arctius jugo peccati, Auguſtin.Diſobedience, and all Diſobedience is a departing from God, in every act of Diſobedience men lift up themſelves above God, and go from him; for ſinne is properly an averſion from God to the creature; therefore Diſobedience is called Rebellion.

3. Proud men go againſt God, as if they were able to reſiſt and ſtand againſt him, they work and walk contrary to Gods will and wayes.

4. Proud perſons go beyond God, they ſet up themſelves as the end of all that they do.

8. Pride of thoughts corrupteth mens judgements; it is the grand productor of all error and hereſie, as is evident, 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. If any man teach otherwiſe, and conſent not to wholſome words, even the words of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to the doctrine that is according to godlineſſe; he is proud, blown up in his own Thoughts: here is the true foreign.cauſe why men come not up to the truth in their judgements, they are proud, high conceited of their own wiſdome, they think they know more than any others, they fancy a kind of Papal infallibility to themſelves, that what they p. 178imagine to be truth, muſt needs be ſo: they make Scripture ſpeak what themſelves firſt fancy.

2. Theſe high thoughts produce an affection of ſingularity, and ambitious affection to appear ſome body in the world, this end they conceive cannot be attained in going in the old way of ſound doctrine, they muſt teach another doctrine, or in another way, and put upon it the name of new light, and higher diſcovery, thereby to draw diſciples after them.Acts 20.Acts 20

2. Pride begets a pernicious perſiſting in erronious opinions, which men have once taken up; they think it a diſhonor to recant and lay folly to themſelves.

9. Pride is a Sodomitical ſin, Ezech. 16. 49. the Prophet ſhews what were Sodomiticum peccatum eſt ſuperbiae iniquitas Origenis. Hof. 5. 5:the ſinnes of Sodome, and the firſt was Pride.

10. Pride teſtifies that there is much evil in mens hearts. The pride of Iſrael teſtifies to his face, that is, the inward pride of their thoughts, manifeſting it ſelf outwardly in their ſpeeches and actions teſtifies the great wickedneſs that is in their hearts: it is a grand accuſing ſinne, a loud witneſſe againſt ſinners.

p. 1792. It is a moſt diſhonoring ſinne, no ſinne diſgraceth and reproacheth men more than pride; becauſe it teſtifies abundance of Ignorance, error and obſtinacy in their hearts, as humility witneſſeth, that we know much of God, his mind and will, With the lowly is Prov. 2. 11.Prov 2:11wiſdome.

11. Theſe ſwelling Thoughts of pride, lodging and lording in mens hearts are a ſure ſign of an hypocrite, in the midſt of the higheſt forms: thus the Scripture teſtifies, behold the ſoul that is lifted up, Hab. 2. 4.Hab 2:4that is, with high thoughts, is not upright in him, it is one character of thoſe that 2 Tim. 3. 4, 5. foreign2 Tim 3:42 Tim 3:5have a form of godlineſſe, but deny the power thereof, they are puffed up with high thoughts.

12. Pride of thoughts begets monſtrous ſhapes, and ſtrange forms of apparel and attire, an affectation to be ſingular in faſhions, and ſurpaſſing in rich apparrel.

13. The Omnipotent God hath proclaimed open war and hoſtility againſt foreign. 1 Pet. 5. 5.1 Pet 5:5all proud perſons, James 4. 6. God reſiſteth the proud, he ſtands in battel aray, in direct defiance and open oppoſition againſt them: it is a Military word, which is uſed in the Original, and p. 180It is very Emphaticall it ſignifies to raiſe Oppono me, importat inſtructa acie, atque …eluti ex adverſo praelio obſiſtere, Lorinus.an Army, and to make warlike reſiſtan…e, it ſhowes that there is a mutuall oppoſition between God and proud perſons, they ſet themſelves as it were in battell againſt God, and God ſets againſt them.

Proud men are as it were Invaders of the glory of God.

They aſſume that Honour that is proper to God, now 'tis uſuall to reſiſt Invaders with ſtreng…h of Armes, Wherfore he ſaith, God reſiſteth the proud, but where doth God ſpeak this? Anſw. the Prov. 3. foreign. …hus the LXX. reads itProv 3Scripture ſayes it in Prov. 3. 34. according to the Hebrew, 'tis thus, Hee ſcorneth the Scorners.

James and Peter do alledge the verſion of the ſeventy Interpreters, vulgarly known in the Church, which agreeth ſufficiently in ſence, the meaning is▪ that thoſe proud ſcorners who do proudly caſt off Gods Laws and deſpiſe his Admon…tions, (they are ſcorned by God again, He reſiſteth proud Scorners, ſuch as do think of themſelves above th…t which they are, and thereupon do proudly ſcorn all others: This ſcorning is the proper Fruite of mans high thoughts.

p. 181Pride ſhowes it ſelf principally in contemning and ſlighting of God, his word, promiſes Threats, Ordinances and works in ſelf admiration and deſp…ſing of others, ſcorning of others comes from overvaluing thoughts of our ſelves, God hath made every man an object of Reſpect, or Pity: It is mans Pride, which makes men objects of ſleighting and contempt, and in them, Prov: 7. 5. 1 Pet. 5. 5. Quod foreign dicitur. See Iſa. 2. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 17 Iſa 57. Luke 1. 51. Pſal. 138. 6.1 Pet 5:5Isa 2:11Isa 2:12Isa 2:13Isa 2:14Isa 2:15Isa 2:17Isa 57Luke 1:51Ps 138:6their Maker.

The Lord of Hoſts fights againſt all ſinners, but againſt proud men and women in a peculiar manner, againſt them, He whets his ſword, bends his bow and fits all the arrows of vengeance.

14. Thoſe thoughts of pride make men utterly uncapable of communion with God, who dwelleth with none but humble perſons, he ſcatters the proud from him:—the proud be knoweth afar off, Jehovah looks upon proud men afar off, or aloof, at a great diſtance from foreignhim, not near or familiarly, but in wrath to puniſh them; the Chaldee paraphraſeth the proud from the heavens far off he will depreſſe. They that are high in their own Thoughts are removed and ſeparated farre from God, as the Hebrew word imports.

p. 1821. They are farre off from any viſion Longanimitas & remotio. 1 Cor. 8. 2.1 Cor 8:2of God and his glory, if any man think, that is proudly conceited, that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know, he is proud, knowing nothing, 1 Tim. 6. 4. proud ſouls are ignorant ſouls.

2. They are far off from any enjoyment of God: the higher we lift up our ſelves in our own thoughts, the further off we are from the moſt High, who flies Magnum miraculum; altus eſt Deus erigis te. & fugit a te. Aug.from us: but the lower we throw down our ſelves in our own apprehenſions, the nearer we are to the high God, which is a miracle of admiration, it is an eminent ſaying of the Hebrew writers, God ſaith of every man whoſe ſpirit is lifted up, I and he cannot dwell together in the world.

3. Proud men are far from grace and foreignmercy, they lift up themſelves above God, and therefore they can receive no grace from God who is the fountain of all grace: ſtreams flowing from a fountain aſcend no higher than the fountain it ſelf.

15. Men that are high in thier own Thoughts, are far off from ſalvation, but they are very near to a dreadful downfall, Pr. 16▪ 18. Pride goeth before deſtruction p. 183Hoſ. 5. 5.Hos 5:5or breaking, and a haughty ſpipit before Eſt. 3. 6. and 7. 10.Esth 3:6Esth 7:10a fall. Pride ſtruts before and ruine follows at the heels, Haman was haughty, and this was his ruine: before the worms did eat Herod, his heart was Act. 12. 23. Dan. 4. 30. 31.Acts 12:23Dan 4:30Dan 4:31ſwoln with pride. Abſolon and Adonijah aſpired, but deſtruction was their end. Pride affects to go before, but it is before a fall: if you find pride in the premiſes you ſhall certainly find deſtruction in the Concluſion: pride did precede Gen. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 3. 6.Gen 5:51 Tim 3:6the fall of our firſt Parents, and the fall of the Angels: it was ſo from the beginning, and will be a truth to the end, Luke 14. 11. Whoſoever exalteth himſelf ſhall be abaſed, be they particular perſons, Cities or Kingdomes, if they exalt themſelves through pride, God will throw them down, Babylon hath been proud againſt the Lord, and againſt the Jer. 50. 29.Jer 50:29Holy one of Iſrael, and therefore ſhe ſhall be ruined.

See how God threatned the men and women of Judah for their pride, Jer. 13. 9. Iſa. 3. 24. the Lord of Hoſts hath purpoſed to ſtain the pride of all glory, (that is, ear…hy glory) and to bring into contempt the honourable of the earth. Iſa. 23. 9.

This fall which follows the pride of p. 184thoughts is exceeding dreadfull.

1. It is a ſhamefull fall: when pride cometh, then cometh ſhame, the perſon of runners is here attributed to pride Prov. 11. 2.Prov 11:2and ſhame, which ſtrives to outrun each other: though pride ſet out firſt, yet ſhame following after runs ſo ſwiftly that it overtakes and layes hold upon it. The great God delights to caſt down the haughty that fly ſo high in their thoughts; Thine eyes are upon the lofty that thou mayeſt bring them low, thou wilt throw down the lofty eyes of men. A 2 Sam. 22. 28. Pſal. 18 28. Iſa. 2. 11. Hoſ. 7. 12. Micah 2. 3. foreign Poſt accentum darga ſequitur Tebhir, hoc eſt poſt elationem venit ruina.2 Sam 22:28Ps 18:28Isa 2:11Hos 7:12Mic 2:3lofty thought makes ſo…ty looks, men may be low in their own thoughts, though high in their outward eſtate and place, and lofty in their outward thoughts, though low in outward eſtate.

It is a proverb among the Hebrews, every man whoſe ſpirit is lifted up, ſhall at length be diminiſhed and deſtroyed, the Heathen Philoſopher could ſay, that Gods work in heaven is to bring down the proud on earth, and to raiſe up the humble,

This pride of Thoughts of it ſelf is ſufficient to caſt men down into the loweſt flame, Prov. 29 23. a mans pride ſhall caſt him down, this form of ſpeaking is very emphatical, for pride is here compared to a man arm'd with a beetle or a pared p. 185butchers ax, to knock down all proud Perſons.

2. It is a falling very low, they that exalt themſelves in their proud thoughts Luke 14. 11. Chriſt often uſed this proverb.Luke 14:11ſhall be be brought low, even as low, as the loweſt hell, except they repent Proud men falling muſt needs fall low, becauſe they lift up themſelves ſo high in their own Thoughts. Things falling from a great height fall deeply and deſperately, as the angels who fell from heaven into the depth of of hell.Prov. 16. 18. & 18. 12. foreign ante confractionem, &c.Prov 16:18Prov 18:12

3. it is a ruining fall that befalls proud men, Prov. 18. 12. Before breaking, the heart of man will lift up it ſelf, thus it is in the originall, it is a Metaphor taken from earthen veſſels, which being broken all to pieces are deſtroyed without remedy, it holds forth the remedileſſe ruine which lies at the door of proud men and women, who ſhall be thrown down like an earthen pitcher by the hand of God, and ſo they ſhall periſh 2 Chron. 26. 16. Iſa. 13. Iſa. 16. Hoſ. 5. 5. Iſa. 2.2 Chr 26:16Isa 13Isa 16Hos 5:5Isa 2for ever by this fall, Ʋzziahs heart was lifted up to his deſtruction, pride was the great ſinne that deſtroyed Babylon, Moab, and the people of Iſrael & Judah.

4. Proud men fall into the Devils condemnation, 1 Tim. 3. 6. It is ſaid, that a Biſhop that is a miniſter of the Goſpel p. 186muſt not be a novice, that is, not one foreign, Paul ſayes not foreign, but foreign: it is not meant of young in years but in faith. Superbia dejecit angelos & ex angelis fecit diabolos, eiſque in aeternum intercluſit Regnum caelorum, Augu- 1 Tim. 6, 4. foreign, &c. foreign inſaniens, Beza, Stephan-Eraſmus foreign non modo inflatum ſed in genere dementatum & fanaticum-ſignificat. Victorin. Strigelius.1 Tim 6:4newly converted to the faith, not a young plant in Chriſtianity, leſt being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil, that is, leſt he being ſwelled up with a conceit of his high office and opinion of his parts and gifts do fall into the ſame condemnation with the Devil. Pride of thoughts was the great ſinne that brought the Devils under condemnation.

All proud men are frantick and fanaticall fools, 1 Tim. 64. All corrupt Teachers are ſaid to be proud and mad (as Beza and others render it) doting, they are ſick of a ſpirituall frenſie, the word in the original uſed for Pride, 1 Tim. 3. ſignifies one puffed up with pride, and poſſeſſed with madneſſe and phrenſie.

Uſe 1. Let us entreat God to give us a ſpirituall ſight and ſenſe of that deep myſtery of Satanical pride, which naturally worketh in our thoughts: oh what deviliſh proud natures do we carry about us: the heart of every man in its corrupt frame, is a pallace of all pride and preſumption; it is like the Table of Adonibezek at which he ſate in a chair of State, and made others, even Kings p. 187to eat meat like dogs under his feet with their thumbs cut off: ſuch are all men by corrupt nature, advancing themſelves to a throne of State in their own Thoughtss ſaying in their hearts, I am the man, and treading their brethren under feet as inconſiderable no bodies to them, hence the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks of the foot of pride, that is of the proud man, (as the Chaldee tranſlates it) pride being Judg. 1. 7. Pſal. 36. 12. foreignJudg 1:7Ps 36:12put for the man in whom it is, as deceit is put for a deceitfull man, Prov. 12. 27. and ſinne for ſinner, Prov. 13. 6. to ſhow us how ready proud men are to ſet their feet upon others, and to trample on them with great contempt: thus did the proud Phariſee trample upon the Publican: thus did thoſe arrogant Jews ſet up themſelves and tread down others in their Thoughts; ſaying, ſtand Iſa. 65. 5.Isa 65:5apart, touch me not, I am more holy than thou.

Let us ſtrongly reſiſt and repell the firſt riſings and ſtrivings of pride in our Ʋſe 2 Thoughts: though the predominancy of pride be taken away in ſanctified men, yet there is ſtill much pride remaining in their natures, which riſeth and rebells upon all occaſions, and often captivates their thoughts.

p. 188The grand enemy which doth aſſault and annoy gracious ſouls, is ſpiritual Pride; whereby they are puffed up in the thoughts of their ſpiritual excellencies, and with a conceit that they have attained a higher meaſure of grace, than indeed they have This ſpirituall Pride doth many times mix it ſelf with the faireſt and moſt ſanctified actions of the deareſt children of God, and d…th ſooneſt inſinuate into a heart ſtored with the rich Treaſures of true godlineſſe; for if Satan cannot detain men in notorious ſinfulneſſe, in meer civil honeſty or formality, but that by the mercifull hand of God, they are pul'd out of the mouth of hell, from the ſlavery of ſinne and courſes of darkneſſe, into the glorious light and liberty of Chriſts Kingdome; hereupon the Devil is inraged with fierce and implacable fury, and doth moſt eagerly purſue thoſe pretious ſouls with all poſſible malice; and if he cannot procure a ſcandalous relapſe into groſſe ſinnes, yet that he may in ſome meaſure work the diſhonour of God, and the diſcomfort of the nobleſt creatures, the two main ends of all his policyes of hell, he doth labour to diſtain the pure ſtreams of divine grace in the p. 189ſoul puddle of their corrupted nature, and at leaſt to faſten the ſpots of ſpiritual pride upon their beſt actions, and the very face of piety; for when godly men by the great work of Regeneration are, become more excellent than their neighbours, Prov. 12. 26.Prov 12:26as indeed they incomparably are howſoever the worlds eſtimation be otherwiſe; becauſe they are already the bleſſed members of Chriſts myſtical body, clothed with the rich & royal robes of Chriſt his righteouſnes, and quickned with the glorious life of grace, and by the immortal ſeeed of the powerfull word of God, they are made partakers of the holy Image of the Divine nature, 2 Pet 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4guarded with an invincible Troop of heavenly Angels, they are the ſons of God, and heirs to a Kingdome of unconceivable glory, and intituled to heavenly pleaſures, more than the ſtars of the Firmament in number.

The Saints perceiving their own Prerogative, and glorious excellencies, are filled with a ſtrange and joyfull amazement and admiration of their own honour and happineſſe which the Devil ſeeing, who is perfectly experienced in all advantages and opportunities for ſpirituall aſſaults, and working upon p. 190the Reliques of mans proud nature, he doth craftily draw them to think highly of themſelves, and fills them with ſwelling thoughts from the apprehenſion of their ſpiritual excellencies, and to advances above that which is meet in their own conceits, the meaſure of their own graces and vertues.

Yea after this fiery dart is broken upon the ſhield of faith, yet Satan labours with might and main to faſten ſome ſplinter or other, even in ſouls ſincerely humbled for ſinne, thus through that old Serpents ſubtilty, they are inſenſibly infected with ſpirituall pride: but when by afflictions or diſgraces, by ſome extraordinary tentations or particular checks, from the Miniſtry of the word, the uglineſſe of this ſinne is diſcovered to their ſouls, they for ever abhor it, as a conſuming Canker that would fret out the very heart of ſyncerity; therefore with much humility and fervency of ſpirit, they pray againſt this ſecret ſinne, ſtrive againſt it, and by the grace of God prevail againſt it.

Now ſeeing this ſpirituall Pride is ſo apt to creep into our hearts, and to puffe up our Thoughts in the apprehenſion of our Spirituall excellencies p. 191and performances, we ſhall ſtrongly fence our hearts with humility againſt privy pride, as againſt a cloſe undermining and moſt dangerous enemy, and the more carefully and watchfully for thoſe Reaſons.

1. Other ſinnes grow from peſtilent pernicious roots, as earthly mindedneſſe, from unbelief, oppreſſion, from avarice, murder, from malice, adultery, from idleneſſe, &c. but Spiritual Pride ſpringeth from a fair and unſuſpected fountain, even from the Contemplation and Conſideration of the largeneſſe of our ſpirituall diſcoveries, our enlargements in good duties and Eminencies in grace.

2. This ſinne doth ſecretly wind it ſelf into the hearts of godly men with a ſlie and peculiar kind of inſinuation, for when upon the apprehenſion of their inlargements in grace and good actions they ſeem to diſclaim pride of thoughts, they may be proud that they are not proud, and that they are more ſenſible of their pride and corruptions than others are, ſo endleſſe are the mazes of Satans circular temptations: this is the laſt and moſt ſubtil encounter, whereby he ſurpriſeth the Saints.

p. 1923. There is no height of grace, no depth of diſcoveries, no eminency of holineſſe attainable in this life, that can ſecure us from the aſſaults of privy pride, and hazzard of ſurprizall, Paul that great Apoſtle, in whom there was a matchleſſe concurrence of divine graces, who laboured more abundantly than others in the work of Chriſt, and was exceeding ſenſible of his own nothingneſſe in all theſe, and was exerciſed with variety of all manner of afflictions, notable means to keep the heart of man in an humble frame; yet leſt he ſhould be exalted out of meaſure through the abundance of Revelations, he was buffeted with the meſſenger of Satan, 2 Cor. 12. 7.

4. Pride is the moſt peſtilent incompatible oppoſite that grace hath, and therefore, he that is moſt ſanctified fights moſt againſt it.

5 This Pride of Thoughts is the greateſt enemy to the glory of God, it doth as it were, take the Crown from the head of the King of glory. God hath declared that he will not give his glory to any other, he is willing to give vsus his mercy, grace and ſtrength, his Sonne and his Spirit, heaven and happineſſe yea p. 193any thing except his Glory: The comfort and benefit of all the good we do, ſhall be ours, but the praiſe therof muſt be wholly and ſolely given to God.

6. This pride of thoughts brings temporall wrath even upon the Servants of God. We have a remarkable place, 2 Chron. 32. 25, 26. Hezekiahs heart was lifted up, therfore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jeruſalem, untill they humbled themſelves.

7. Let us take heed how we harbour and nouriſh this V…pe… of ſpirituall pride in the boſom of our Souls, leaſt it perſwade us to embrace ſome groundleſs ſingularity of unwarrantable opinions and dangerous errors, or elſe it may (by Gods judgment) draw upon us deadneſs of heart, dulneſs of zeal, ſpirituall deſertion, &c. which the Servants of God do infinitely more fear, then any affliction that prophane men can poſſibly inflict upon their bodies, or ſtates, or good name.

Theſe reaſons may juſtly move us to keep a ſtrict watch over our hearts continually, & when we feel our thoughts begin to ſwell by looking upon our ſpirituall excellencies, gifts, or enjoyments, let us preſently cruſh and crucifie p. 194them, and ſharply check our ſelves in theſe words, What haſt thou, that thou haſt not received?

2. When pride begins to give the leaſt part of the praiſe of our good actings and enlargements to our ſelves, let us with indignation repell and reject it, and ſay, Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy name, O Lord, be all the praiſe: Of thine own have we given unto thee, in our holy and higheſt ſervices:

Queſt: What muſt we do to ſubdue and keep down theſe ſwelling thoughts of pride.

Anſw. 1. Let us ſtrive to keep the thoughts of our own nothingneſs, vilenes, & unworthines always preſent w^th us; learn to ſay with Jacob, I am leſs Geneſ. 31. 10. Job 40.Gen 31:10Job 40then the leaſt of mercies: and as Job did after he had been afflicted, and came to ſee his ignorance & arrogancy, behold I am vile, and as Abraham I am but dust and aſhes, and with David, I am a worm Gen. 18. 27. Pſal. 22. 6.Gen 18:27Ps 22:6and no man, yea, with Paul, O wretched man that I am, Rom. 7. 24. To keep down the pride of mens thoughts, the foreign Sanhedr fol. 38. Col. 1.Col 1Hebrew Writers preſent this conſideration, that the Flye and the Worm did precede man in the worke of Creation. That is, the moſt contemptible creatures, p. 195the Fly and the Worm are our elder brothers at the firſt Creation.

2. Conſider that we our ſelves are vile worms, Job 25. 6. Man is a worm, and the ſon of man is a worm. Tis twice ſpoken to make the deeper impreſſion upon our hearts, a Worm is one of the vileſt of Creatures, and the Hebrew word here uſed (as one obſerves) ſignifies the leaſt and meaneſt of worms, ſuch as breed in Cheeſe and Fleſh, Exod. 16. 34. the worſt ſort of worms, as Lice and Vermine: every man is a worm, the greateſt, wiſeſt, and beſt of men are worms; worms they are and to worms they muſt ſhortly return. How unſutable are lofty thoughts to Iſa. 41. 14.Isa 41:14poor low worms.

3. Men are compared to the baſeſt and worſt of things to the leaſt and loweſt things; as

1. To the dust which is troden on both by men and beaſts.

2. To the duſt of a ballance.

3. To the drop of a Bucket.Iſa. 40.Isa 40

4. To a ſhadow which flyes away, which hath no entity or ſubſiſtence.

5. To vanity which is worſe then a Pſal. 39. & 62.Ps 39ſhadow.

6. Men are compared to nothing.Iſa. 40.Isa 40

p. 1962. Let the beſt and moſt mortified men turn the eye of their conſcience from the fruitleſs and dangerous ſpeculation of their own worthineſs, and faſten it a while upon their corruptions and infirmities, upon their neglects of duties, and many defects in godly exerciſes, and executions of their calling, wants and weakneſs in prayer and inward devotion, their dulneſs and deadneſs in good performances, their Omiſſions of opportunities of doing good, and occaſions for the enlarging of the Kingdom of Chriſt; Their cold and ſometimes cowardly proſecution of good cauſes, &c. and out of this conſideration, they will be ſo far from ſelfconceitedneſs and high thoughts of their own gifts and virtues that they will find juſt cauſe to continue and encreaſe their humiliation, and to ſtand upon their guard againſt ſpirituall pride.

3. Let all godly Chriſtians conſider that whatſoever they enjoy in ſpirituall Excellencies beyond others, is from the free favour & meer mercy of God not from any thing in themſelves, yea, whatſoever gift they have, whether of body or mind, of honours or outward p. 197poſſeſſions of nature of grace, they are given unto them by the liberall hand of God out of the bottomleſs depth of his own bounty.

4. conſider that we are all by nature equally under ſin and wrath, therfore Epheſ. 2.Eph 2there is no cauſe of ſwelling one againſt another.

5. Let us cry mightily unto God to ariſe and ſcatter theſe proud enemies that riſe up againſt him, and to preſerve us from the prevailings of theſe haughty thoughts: Thus did David, Pſal. 19. 14. Keep back thy ſervant from prides, that is, from al proud inſolent thoughts foreignthat is that they have not dominion in me, then ſhal I be upright and I ſhall be clean from the great prevarication. From hence tis evident,

1. That the beſt men are much inclined to thoughts of pride. hold back thy ſervant from prides, our natures are exceeding apt to ruſh into this ſin, if we be not bridled and held back by a divine power.

2. The raign and dominancy of pride in mens thoughts is moſt contrary and inconſiſtent with uprightneſs. Then ſhall I be upright, when I am kept from pride that it do not domineer in me.

p. 1983. Pride of thoughts is great Rebellion againſt God; the Hebrew word that is foreign Kimchi in Pſal. 25. explicat per foreignPs 25tranſlated offence or tranſgreſſion, Pſal. 19. 14. ſignifies Rebellion, Defection, and prevarication.

6. Let us ſuſpect our own hearts upon all occaſions, and with the watchfulleſt eye of our ſpirituall wiſdom, be alwaies jealous and fea…full of the ſubtleties and windings of this inſinuating ſin of privy pride.

7. Let us be much aſhamed, abaſed, and afflicted in our ſpirits, for the daily elevations and riſings of our thoughts. Hezekiah humbled himſelf for the pride I am tandem … ruheſcat homo eſſe ſuperbus propter quem factus eſt humilis Deus. Auguſtin.of his heart, both he and the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, ſo that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the daies of Hezekiah, 2 Chron 36. 26.

8. Out of the heart of men proceeds a ſelf juſtifying thought; There be three ſpeciall thoughts of ſelf-righteouſne…s which do ſtrongly prevail in the hearts of naturall men.

1. They fancy and conceive a righteouſneſs made up of their own works, keeping of the Law, Prayers, and good meanings; that there is a proneſs to this thought in every man, appears by that ſtrict command that God gives to p. 199the people of Iſrael to take heed of this evill thought, when they were placed in the promiſed Land, Deut. 9. 4. ſpeak not thou in thine heart, Saying; for my righteouſneſs the Lord hath brought me in to poſſeſs this Land.

Thoughts are properly the ſpeakings of mans heart: hereby God ſhews us what are the thoughts of men by corrupt nature, yea, what thoughts will be ready to riſe in his own people.Luk. 18, 9, 10, 11, 12.Luke 18:9Luke 18:10Luke 18:11Luke 18:12

This ſelf-juſtifying thought was predominant in the Phariſes who trusted in themſelves, that they were righteous: the Phariſee prayed thus, O God I thank thee that I am not as other men are, unrighteous, nor as this Publican. I do this and that good, &c. I faſt twice in the Thus Druſius.week, upon the firſt day of the week, becauſe Moſes on that day went up to Mount Sinah, on the ſecond day, becauſe he then came down, he pleads his own righteouſneſs before God.

1. Negative, he is no extortioner nor unjuſt, &c.

2. His poſitive righteouſnes of both Tables, he was much in prayer and faſting, duties of the firſt Table, he paid Tithes, gave Almes, duties of the 2d. Table.

3. His Comparative Juſtice, he was p. 200far more righteous then all other men in the Church it ſelf that were not of his form: This Phariſee thinks himſelf ſufficiently righteous even to ſtand before God: Theſe Phariſees as they juſtified themſelves in their own thoughts, ſo they ſought to be juſtified in the thoughts of all others.

2. Men are apt to conceive a kind of Luk. 16. 15.Luke 16:15Innocency in themſelves, and that they need no repentance. Of theſe Chriſt ſpeaks, Matth. 9. 13. when he ſaith, That he came not to cal the righteous but ſinners to repentance.

Queſt. Who are theſe righteous ones?

An. Such as were ſo pure and ſpotleſs in their own preſumptuous conceits, that they thought that they did not need repentance. They are oppoſed to ſinners, ſuch as are exceeding guilty and filthy in their own ſenſe, that this is the meaning; is clear, Luk. 15. 7. I ſay unto you, that joy ſhall be in Heaven over one ſinner that repenteth, more then over ninety nine just perſons that need no repentance.

Queſt. Are there indeed any ſo juſt that they need no repentance, no amendment?

Anſw. O no, that cannot be the p. 201meaning for the beſt men are taught by Chriſt to confeſs their daily Treſpaſſes to God, and to ask forgiveneſs: but this is ſpoken according to that opinion Matth. 6.Matt 6and conceit which ſome have of themſelves, who think themſelves righteous, and therfore not to have uſe or need of repentance, ſuch were the Phariſees who could charge ſin enough upon others, but no ſin upon themſelves: Luk. 18, 10. 11, 12.Luke 18:10Luke 18:11Luke 18:12Paul in his Phariſaical Eſtate thought himſelf to be without blame in reſpect of the righteouſneſs that is in the Law, Phil. 3. 6 When Jeremiah rebuked the people for their ſins, they ſayd, they were innocent and guiltleſs; they had not Jer; 2: 35.ſinned.

3. Men are apt to think that there is ſome worthineſs in their own righteouſneſs, wherby they may gain eternall Rom. 10. 2.Rom 10:2life, Phil. 3. 6, 7. they thi… …o aſcend into Heaven by their own good works, to attain life in the old way, do and live: Thus do the preſent Romanists and all legall Profeſſors and Phariſaical Moraliſts amongſt us.

This Popiſh peſtilent ſelf-juſtifying thought prevails exceedingly in theſe times.

1. For ignorant perſons, they conceive p. 202that they are able to keep the Law, they think to be ſaved by their good meanings, prayers, and ſerving God.

2. Some others that profeſs more light, do think to make their peace, and ro procure acceptance with God by their humiliations, prayers, tears, &c. wheras Chriſt Jeſus is our All in reſpect of righteouſneſs, peace, and acceptance, He is our Peace and Peace maker. We grant that prayer, humiliation, and works of holy obedience, are neceſſary duties and precious fruits, if flowing from juſtifying faith in Chriſt, but they cannot be our righteouſneſs, peace, or acceptance with God.

9. Out of the hearts of men proceed thoughts of carnall ſecurity in daies of worldly proſperity, ſo long as they enjoy outward peace and freedom from troubles, they are full of ſecure thoughts, ſpeaking thus in their hearts, I am in a good Eſtate free from all the Judgments of God, and ſo ſhall ever be: I am in no danger of death or hell, but have hope of Heaven, &c-Pſal. 10. 6. Eſa. 28. 15. Sinners are brought in ſpeaking this in their thoughts, We have made a covenant with death and with hell are we p. 203at agreement, when the overflowing ſcourge ſhall paſſe through, it ſhall not come unto us.

We muſt not conceive that death or hell can or will really make a league with any ſinner: but theſe are their own preſumptuous thoughts, and ſecure imaginations, that they are in no danger of death or hell, that though wrath ſhould overthrow the whole Land, yet themſelves ſhould have an Ark of Preſervation: the Covenant is onelyonly in their own thoughts, yea men are apt to cry peace, peace in their own Thoughts, when deſtruction is even at doore.

Theſe Thoughts of ſecurity do exceedingly prevail in theſe laſt dayes, as they did in the old world, this we find foretold by Christ Matth. 24. 37. As it was in the dayes of Noah, ſo ſhall it be in the dayes of the coming of the Son of man, they did eat and drink and marry wives, and give in marriage, untill the day that Noah entred into the Ark, and they knew nothing untill the flood came and took them all away.

Objection,

Noah had preached to them of the flood many years, and prepared the Ark in their ſight, how then is it poſſible that they ſhould know nothing of it?

p. 204Anſwer, It was in the apprehenſions and affections of thoſe ſecure men of the old world, as if they had known nothing, they believed nothing, they were not affected with it.

2. They were as ſecure in their own Thoughts, as if they had known nothing; they thought themſelves free from all danger till the flood appeared. Yea the beſt men are apt to be overtaken with ſecure Thoughts, when outward bleſſings overflow, David confeſſeth this ſin againſt himſelf, Pſal. 30. 6. I ſaid, that is, in my heart, in my ſafe quietnes or tranquility, I ſhall not be moved foreignto eternity. David being ſet upon the mountain of proſperity doth think himſelf above all trouble and adverſity, he fancies and frames to himſelf a kind of Eternity in his outward tranquility, that he ſhould never ſee any more changes, thus much the Hebrew words import. This was Jobs infirmity in his proſperity and glory, he ſaid in his heart I ſhall die in my neſt, and I ſhall multiply my dayes as the ſand, my root was ſpread out by the waters, &c. and my glory was freſh in me, Job 29. 18. 19, 20. if theſe ſecure Thoughts ſo overpower righteous men; what prevailing p. 205power have they over thoſe that are ſtill under the power of ſinne and Satan. Worldlings bleſſe themſelves in their riches, they imagine themſelves in ſafety, as perſons beloved and bleſſed of God, becauſe they proſper in the world, Pſal. 10. Luke 12. 19. This curſed thought of ſecurity is the chief Zeph. 3. 5.Zeph 3:5cauſe of ſinners impenitency & induration. God hath ſent his Prophets & Miniſters in all ages to cry againſt mens ſinnes, and to call them to Repentance, Jer 48. 11. Zeph. 1. 12.Jer 48:11Zeph 1:12and yet the wicked will not learn to be aſhamed, they refuſe to return, they are ſettled on their lees, frozen in their dregs. Where is the man that ſtirs up Jer 8. 6. Acts 2. 37. Matth. 24: 39:Jer 8:6Acts 2:37Matt 24:39himſelf to ſay, what have I done? what ſhall I do? though judgements be threatned, ſinners will know nothing, till the beeſome of wrath ſweep them away: they think themſelves free from all danger of deathand deſtruction, even when they are neareſt to it: and ſo while they imagine that they are ſailing toward heaven, they ſuddenly ſink into hell.

10. Out of the hearts of men proceed overheightning Thoughts of their ſufferings: in the day of diſtreſſe they think their troubles are greater, and their croſſes heavier than indeed they p. 206are: men are apt to leſſen the evil of their ſinnes, and to greaten the evil of their ſufferings, little afflictions they conceive to be great, and great afflictions Jonah 4. 8, 9.Jonah 4:8Jonah 4:9to be incomparable, and inſupportable.

Job in his manifold trialls was overtaken with theſe overheightning thoughts his deep complaints ſpeak out his thoughts, Job 6. 1. 2. 13. Job anſwered & ſaid. Oh that my griefs were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the ballance together: for now it would be heavier than the ſand of the Sea, &c. what is heavier than a mountain of ſand? yet Job conceives his calamity heavier, ſo the Church, Lam. 1. 12. thinks her great ſufferings to be ſuperlative and ſurpaſſing all others: Behold and ſee if there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow which is done unto me: yea what man living can clear himſelf from theſe Thoughts?

1. In caſe of inward Sufferings we are apt to think thus; never any ſo overwhelmed with troubles and terrours as we are.

None ever ſo tempted and buffeted by Satan, as we, none ever tormented with ſuch horrid blaſphemous injections as we are; never any waited ſo p. 207long for comfort and aſſurance as we.

2. In outward ſufferings we are full of ſuch Thoughts as theſe, was there ever any man that had ſuch croſſes, loſſes, pains, preſſures, and diſtreſſes as we, behold & ſee if any miſery be like to ours. Now the reaſon why men do overgreaten their ſufferings in their thoughts, is,

1. Their looking upon their ſufferings more than their ſinnes.

2. Their judging of afflictions by ſenſe more than by faith.

3. Their eying the fleſhly dark outſide of affliction, more than their ſpiritual inſide.

4. The ſmallneſſe of their ſtrength and Prov. 24. 10.Prov 24:10unfitneſſe of their ſpirits to ſuffer the will of God.

Queſt. What muſt we do to cure and crucifie theſe ſinfull Thoughts which are ſo apt to beſet us in afflictions.

1. Learn to conceive rightly of our Heb. 12. Pſal. 25. Rom. 8. 20.Heb 12Ps 25Rom 8:20ſufferings in their divine cauſes, fruits and effects: the afflictions of the Saints do come from the higheſt love, are ordered by the higheſt wiſdome, and end in the greateſt mercy. When our apprehenſions are rectified, the cure is half wrought.

2. Duly weigh in our thought the p. 208demerit of our ſinnes; for which we are worthy to be deſtroyed.

3. Conſider that the worſt that befalls the Saints here, is to prevent the worſt, namely eternal condemnation, 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32. that they might not be condemned with the world.

11. There is a ſpirituall barrenneſſe, and emptineſſe of good Thoughts in all carnall minds; it is expreſly ſaid of evil men, that their Thoughts are onelyonly evil continually from their childhood, Gen. 6. 5. & 8 21. Now where there is nothing but evil, there good is wanting altogether, ſpirituall good Thoughts are totally wanting in naturall men.

The ſpirituall myſteries of the Goſpel enter not into our Thoughts, untill 2 Cor. 3. 5. 1 Cor. 2. 9.2 Cor 3:51 Cor 2:9we become ſpirituall: if we duly obſerve the daily frame of our Thoughts we may find, an apparant want of good Thoughts in our ſelves. This defect will appear in four things ſpecially.

1 We are extreamly defective in the ſerious Thoughts of the preſence of Gods all ſearching eye: how few there be that ſet God alwayes before them in their Thoughts, and think with themſelves that God beholds all their thoughts and wayes, that he remembers p. 209them, and will certainly bring them to judgement, examine your hearts, are theſe your conſtant Thoughts, I am now in Gods preſence, he beholds every thought that I think, heareth every word that I ſpeak; and takes notice of all that I do, may not God take up that complaint againſt us, that he doth againſt Ephraim and Samaria, They have dealt falſely, and they ſay not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedneſſe, Hoſ. 7. 2. all that falſhood and prophaneſſe that flames out in mens lips and lives, is radically and chiefly from hence, they do not ſeriouſly think and conſider that God looks upon all their wayes. When our hearts are filled w^th the apprehenſion of Gods preſence, & ſo we walk with God in our thoughts, this is a ſure evidence of uprightneſſe.

2. Men are ſtrangers to the ſerious Thoughts of their laſt end Deut. 32. 29. Oh that they were wiſe, that they underſtood this, that they would conſider their laſt end: This ſhows how averſe foreignwe are to apply our minds to the Thoughts of our laſt end, how unapt are we of our ſelves to think of death, Lam. 1. 9.Lam 1:9which is the end of all fleſh, what will be our end after death, what will become p. 210of our Soules to Eternity.

3. Carnal men are empty of all ſpirituall repentant Thoughts of ſinne.

1. They never think of their manifold guilt by a ſerious reflection upon their own wayes, this is evident by the Lords complaint againſt the Jews, Jer. 8. 6. not one of them would ſay, in his heart, What have I done?

2. They do not conſider the incomparable ilneſſe and uglineſſe of ſinne, that there is more evil in the leaſt ſinne that men commit, than in all penal ſufferings of this life, and of hell it ſelf.

3. They think not of their extreme folly in ſinning, how they prefer empty creatures before an all ſufficient God, earth before heaven, Moment any pleaſures before, Rivers of pureſt pleaſures, and joyes that never end.

4. Sinners never think of the emptineſſe of their ſinfull wayes, nor of the abſurdneſs and unreaſonableneſſe of their courſes, the Prophet ſets out the ſottiſhneſſe of idolaters, in making an Idol god of one part of a Tree, with the other part whereof they had roſted their Iſa. 44 16, 17. 19, 20.Isa 44:16Isa 44:17Isa 44:19Isa 44:20meat and warmed themſelves, yet they conſidered not this in their hearts,—to ſay, I have baked bread upon the coals p. 211thereof, &c. and ſhall I make the reſidue thereof an abomination?

5. They think not of the deadly end of their ſinnes, ſorrows without end.

4. Carnal perſons are ſtrangers to the Thoughts of their own duty.

1. They do not think of improving their Talents.Matth. 25. 18.Matt 25:18

2. Nor of the end of their being, and the great buſineſſe for which they came into this world which is to advance God by doing his will.

3. They think not of their many obligations▪ and engagements to love and fear the Lord. It is Gods complaint againſt the Jewes, they ſay not in their Jer: 5. 24.hearts let us fear the Lord our God. Now the true cauſe why we are ſo barren in godly diſcourſe, ſo empty of heavenly ſpeeches, ſo unfruitfull in good works, is, becauſe we are ſo empty of holy thoughts, and heavenly meditations; our thoughts have a ſtrong influence upon our whole converſation.

12. There is a ſpirituall madneſſe and folly which runs through our thoughts, when they are like to the thoughts of mad men & fools, unſettled, incoherent, full of non ſenſe; this is one of thoſe great defiling evils, which proceed out of p. 212the heart of men, and poſſeſſeth their thoughts, fooliſhneſſe and madneſſe, Mark foreign.7. 22. madneſſe is in the hearts of men while they live, from thence it overflows into their Thoughts. This madneſſe of Eccleſ. 9 3.Eccl 9:3the Thoughts ſhows it ſelf in three things eſpecially.

1. They are full of inconſiſtency and inconſtancy: our minds are full of ſlipperineſſe and unſtableneſſe in good Thoughts, the thoughts of fools and mad men dance up and down, and ſettle upon nothing. There is a fooliſh wantonneſſe and roving in mans mind, an unſetledneſſe in meditating, that it cannot fix upon a good object; but as Salomon ſayes, A fools eyes are in the ends Prov. 17. 24. foreignProv 17:24of the earth: their thoughts rove and runne up and down from one end of the earth to the other, to the firſt and laſt parts thereof, as the Hebrew words import. Their bodily eyes are terminated; therefore it muſt …e meant of their mentall Eph. 1, 18.Eph 1:18eyes: there is a ſtrange unſteadineſs and unſtayedneſſe in mans mind before renewing, if it fall upon a good object, it is preſently off again, and runnes out into other Thoughts.

2. It is apt to let out the Thoughts after every object that comes before it. p. 213The mind of man being deprived of that glorious preſence of God that it once enjoyed in Paradiſe perfection; it is now in Cains condition the greateſt vagabond and runnagate on the earth, it runnes up and down the world, and cannot reſt or ſettle upon any thing, but what is ſinfull and ſenſual.

2 This madneſſe of our Thoughts appears in their Incoherence and incongruity, they are like the ſpeeches of mad men, which have as little dependence one upon another, as right reaſon in them, they ſpeak two or three words, and then fly off to another thing, which hath no agreement with their former words, how incongruouſly and abſurdly do our hearts ſpeak? if we would ſeriouſly reflect upon our own Thoughts, take notice of them one day, and write down every thought as the heart ſpeaks them, and then at night read over our notes: and ſtrictly examine them we ſhould find ſo much incoherence, diſagreement and nonſenſe in our thoughts, ſuch jarring and jangling, roving and rambling, running backward and forward, that we might have cauſe enough to look upon our ſelves as Bedlam fools.

p. 2143. Our thoughts are full of extravagancy and digreſſions: how many thoughts have we every day whereof we can give no account how they came in, whence they came, nor whither they would; they are extravagant vagabonds.

13. Our thoughts are commonly unprofitable, becauſe ſo unſettled, incoherent and extravagant.

2. For 1. Many good motions do vaniſh and come to nothing.

3. We often begin good Meditations, and bring them to no perfection, they miſcarry in the conception.

There is abundance of vanity in mans mind, waſting and wearying it ſelf in childiſh, impertinent and unprofitable Thoughts and Notions, Toſſings and Tumblings, ſo that we wofully waſt and miſpend pretious time in thinking Epheſ. 4. 17.Eph 4:17of nothing, as idle perſons do in doing nothing, and thus we become altogether unprofitable in our Thoughts, words and works, and vain in our affections.Pſal. 14. 3.Ps 14:3

14. Mans corruptmind is exceeding fixed and intenſive in thinking upon vain, worldly, and ſinfull objects, when we ſet our ſelves moſt ſeriouſly to meditate p. 215upon holy ſpirituall things, we ſhall find our Thoughts as unſtable as water, apt to fly off preſently, but our thoughts are apt to fix and feed upon earthly ſenſuall things, with much ſtability and greedineſſe: ſuch Thoughts as are ſuitable to mans corrupt nature, the heart dwells upon them with the greateſt attention and intention: it is the greateſt difficulty to keep in our thoughts to any holy, heavenly object; and it is no leſſe difficulty to take off our Thoughts from worldly things, if once faſtened thereto by inordinate affections; our Thoughts firſt ſtir up our affections, which being once raiſed and fixed upon ſenſuall objects, do faſten our thoughts ſo ſtorngly to thoſe objects that we cannot looſen them again, this we have ſad experience of continually.

1. If vain ſlaviſh fears ſe…e upon us, our minds are filled with fooliſh, fearfull thoughts, which follow us reſtleſly where ever we are, what ever we are doing.

2. In raiſing of worldly grief, what black Thoughts do haunt us continually: how do our Thoughts dwell upon our preſent croſſes and loſſes.

3. When our love and deſires are inflamed, p. 216and take hold upon the things of this preſent world, as riches pleaſures, &c. how are our Thoughts drowned in theſe vanities, and chained to theſe objects day and night? exceſſive affections do ſwallow up all our Thoughts, and our thoughts often ſwallow up our ſ…ep, abundance of riches will not ſuffer a covetous man to ſleep for the multitude of thoughts in his head, Eccleſ. 5. 12:

15. Out of the heart of men proceeds Curioſity, raſh unprofitable enquiries, fooliſh, unlearned queſtions, which are the fruits of rotten, corrupt minds, this curioſity conſiſts chiefly in theſe two things.

1. We are apt to be thinking of myſterious things which are above us, and do not at all concern us, mans mind ſtrongly covets the forbidden knowledge of myſteries that are beyond its reach, and without the pale of written revelations.

2. It is ſtrangely delighted with curious conceits and new notions, the figments of mans fancy.

The glorious heights of Scripture-myſteries cannot content carnal minds, they will be ſoaring aloft after unheard of curioſities, and prying into things p. 217that they have not ſeen, neither can be ſeen in the word or works of God, this curioſity of knowledg and ſpeculation, the Scripture often condemnes, as 1 Tim. 6. 4. 20. Col. 2. 2. Tim. 4. 3. where the Apoſtle foretells of a time, when men will heap up teachers to themſelves, according to their own luſts, that is,

1. They will ſeek after Teachers with ardent deſires, running to and fro.

2. They will make choice of their teachers raſhly, without judgement and diſcerning.

3. Without order, they will not be confined to a Paſtor and teacher according to Goſpel-order, but they will have heaps of teachers which imports a confuſed multitude, theſe three things are implyed in the Original word here uſed, 2 Tim. 4. how apparantly is this Scripture fulfilled in theſe our dayes? Now what is the ground of all this? foreign.they have itching ears, their minds are poſſeſt with an itching deſire after curioſities; therefore they go after divers teachers, that ſo they may hear ſomething which may feed their curious minds, this itching after curioſity of knowledge was the ruine of our firſt Parents; and it is an hereditary diſeaſe, p. 218which they have conveyed to all their poſterity: men love to be poring upon ſtrang notions, and muſing on hidden myſteries.