Caryl - Houston-Packer Collection BS1415 .C37 v7

Chap. 24. An Expojition upon the Bookef JO B. Verf. 13. 555 men would be glad that no man knew of the evill which they do, and they doe what they can to binder others from knowing it ;as hypocrites love to be teen in all the good they do, and would do no good, were it not (as C.hrift affures us, Math. 6. 5. ) tobe feen ofmen ; They fart, and pray, and give Aimes, and all to be feen ofmen, that is, that men may applaud them, and poynt at them with a Behold (of admiration) There gue the men, The charitable men, Thehumble men, The devout men; and if men fee them not, or applaud them not, they are as in the lhadow of death, they are dead hearted to every good word and worke. Now (I fay) as all groffe hypocrites love the light, or to be feen while they are doing good,fo the molt prophaneand wicked ufu- ally avoid the light, and lovenot to be feen when they are doing evill. For though they are not troubled at the difhonour they doe to God by finning, yet to be difhonoured among men is a trouble to them. They can eafily venture their foules as to the life tocorn; but they are afraid co doe wickedly in the fight of men, left they endanger their cafe and fafety in this prefect life. That God feeth themnot is their hope, that men may not fee them is their care, and that they may not fee themfelves is their defire.They are unwilling to know their duty,left their con- fciences fhouldcheck them fornot doing,or for doing that which is not their duty. Thus in every fence, They are ofthofe who rebel again; the light. bath been rebelling t wicked tmendeli're not toknowwhat chewed ) theyought to doe, fo it teacheth us Further, That wicked menwill:doe againfi that which they know. Men will have fellowf ip with the works ofdarkneffe, while their eyes are dazzledwith light, if their hearts have not been changedby it. They would be glad ifthey might never be trou- bled with the light, but fuppofe the light doe come ( as many times it doth comewhether they will or no ) fuppofe the light darted upon them fo clearely and convincingly, that they cannot but fee and knowwhat they ought, and what they ought not to doe,yet they rebell againft it; either they will not do what they know, or they will doe contrary to their knowledge.When forme ofthe Pharifees were offended at thofe words (john 9. 39.) For B b b b z 1ndge

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