344 The Coanterfeit of inherent Grate. SaCT.Vit fumptuoufly wicked mutt I needs be ? Thou 'therefore who dolt conftantly walk in ungodly, prophanecourfes, thou art a Theme and reproach to heaven and earth ; God from heaven, and God by all the Creatures ,,,dot, condemn thee here- in. This ftupidityof Confcience the Scriptures calls iThip ns, which is, when men through much labour and martian exercife have brought Inch a calloufneffe and (enfelcfneffe upon thepalmes of their hands, that they feel no pain at all. Thus men by frequent repreffìons of the beams of this light, doeat lait become altoge- ther (cupid ; as theDogs that lie by the Smiths forge, through cutlome, fear not thofe fpeaks of fire that flye about them. 5. Wemayconclude,e4 fifthcaul of' thefuffocati tgof theft natnrall Dif1ater tabs a jufi judgement ofGod uponmen, becaufe of theabufe of Natural light: when menhave not lived as they have known , nor walked as they have known , God as a juft judge bath delivered them up totheir own unnatural) lefts, which bath been more grievous than to be delivered up to Lions andBears, and to be torn in pieces by them. This is evidently let down, Rom. r. at large ; where the Hea- them, not walking according to thofe implanted principles within them , but breaking thebounds that nature had let them, God gave them up toall manner of lulls, whereby they committed molt unnaturall crimes , which the Apoltle there reckons up. Marvail not then to fee men become like bruit beafls; fay not,How can men be thus unnatural?How can they choakthat light in their hearts ? Think not much at thefe things, formany men live under Gods fpirituall curie upon them; he path delivered them up to their lulls and fines to doe all manner of wicked- nefle without fearand trembling : a judgement of all judgements moft terrible, yet it is often feen in the world : for were they not given up to .fuch a fpirit of (lumber and fecurity, they would be like fomany Cain: and f udoa's after their abo- minable iniquities, fo many t7lagormijfabihs, whom fear would incompaffe round about. 6. Sixely, Anothercaufethat will dull, if not extinguifh thole principle: ofconfcience, A turning a- is awilful!turning awayour thought: andconfiderations from what they (peak Within way from no. Men Judy diverfrons, andfor fear of loch fad melancholy thoughts as they whatconfci - term them, theywill goe into merry compaay, take great imployments upon ence fpeaks. them, that will bulk their heads fo much , that they never hear what Confcience (peaks within, becaufe of the crowd of imployments without, ThusCain full of trembling, to flake this off,he travaileth,and buildeth Cicies,and all to have a quiet mind. Thus as when the Prophetsof God calledto mourningand fackcloth,there was gladnefie, and making of all melody : fo when Confcienceaccufeth, condem- neth,calJsfor repentance and reformation, they labour to make a greater noife that may drown this. It's true the alts and (Matesof Confcience arenot tub- ¡eft toour wills , 0,Lnoad fpecificationem, as they fay. Aman cannot think that to be good which hedefireth, nor that to be evil) which hewould not ; but against and contrary to mens willsand affeetions they fay, This isgood, and this evil : but quoad exercitium, in refpeft of the exercife of it ; So they may wilfully turn away their thoughts fromconfideringwhat is Paid to them. Thus as the thief hateth the light, becaufe his deeds aredifcovered thereby ; fo a wicked man daresnot give heed to what confcience faith, he runneth from it as much as hecan, becaufe it is whollyagainft the courfeof his life; fo that if you never mindeor confider, what that lawof God in thy heart fpeaks to thee : Ks no wonder if thouart never re- formed : But if thouwouldit communewith thy own heart, and (catch it, bid all otherthings (land aloof off, thouand confcience willcónfider together , then and confciencewill examine together; if this were done, thy finsfhould not lodge a night longer with thee. 7. Seventhly, A prephanejollity, anda carnali merriment, this altoweakens the Prophase jol- voiceof natural) Confcience; Tome men areas afraid of any ferions lober thoughts lily. about God, and the day of judgement, as children are of thedark. This was their difpoltioo, who aid, Let to tote awl drink,for to morrow We0.41dye. Oh pro phaneneffe
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