20 Chap. 31.. An E.3pofition upon the Book of o B; Verf.2g, Turning back from God,brings in the non-confideratiot he word and works of God ; The word and works of God, not be- ing confidered, brings in the workes of unrighteoufneffe towards men, or oppreffionof the poóre. One fin givenway to, makes way f.or many more. No man knows where he (hall end in doing evill, when once he begins to doe evill.David having defiled the wife is led to the murder of her husband. Peter having firfi difowned or denyed his Mailer, proceeded to fo:fweare him. If good men are thus hurryed from fin to fin before they come to repentance, whether will tan carry wicked men, whogoe onne and onne im- penitently ? Secondly , Note. They are the Ivor,fl fort ofwickedwho malepoore men cry. Oppreflion is a fin againfi the light and law ofnature,as well as againfi the light and law of God ; every fin is themore finfull,by how much it is committed againfi more light ofanykinde, or a gainfi more kindes of light ; And thofe fans are extreamly high, which are committed againfi the lowefi and mofi common light, that of Nature. Theywho fin againfi the light of grace , againfi the light ofthe Spirit, fin (as the Prophet fpeakes, Hof. 6. 7. ) like men, but theywho fin againfi the light of nature, fin as if they were not fomuch as men but verybeaus , yea worfe then many beafls, there being fcarce any of themwho (as oppreffors doe ) devoure thofe of their owne kind, though of forme of them it be fayd and experienced (efpecially of the fifhes in the Sea) that the Greater devoure the lefhe, as the mighty men of whom Eliku fpake did the poore, cooling their cry to come up unto god. Thirdly, Note. Opprefon will quickly caufe a Cry. (Ifa: 5.7. )I looked for Tudgement, brat behold oppreffion, and for righteoujeffe, and beholda cry; that is, the cry of the oppref- fed. As the ad of oppreffion is a crying fin, fo the effect{ of it is crying ; Opprefiion cryeth loud, though the oppreffed Phut their mouthes in filence and faynothing,yet ufually the oppreffed can- not forbeare crying. The Apoille7arnes (Chap: 5. 3. ) fchoöles the wicked rich men of the world, with, a Go to now weepe and bowie, &c. Teur riches are corrupt, and yourgarments moth eaten; Behold
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