20.27 That they have not shunned to declare unto us all the Councel of God And whilst others are daubing with untempered morter sowing of pillows under their elbows and healing the hurt of the Daughter of my people slightly crying peace when there is no peace yet we have some who are found faithful Moniters as to our approaching imminent dangers by whom instrumentally the silver Trumpet of the Gospel giveth forth a most certain sound causing the Saints and people of God to see and understand that now it is high time to prepare to the Battel Amongst whom this worthy and faithful servant of Jesus Christ the Author of these excellent ensuing discourses diservedly ought to be reckoned and rancked not in the meanest place whose design herein next unto the glory of God I doubt not confidently to affirm is the spiritual good and benefit of all his people whilest it evidently appeareth that he endeavoureth the good of all but especially the houshold of faith of some he hath compassion making a difference others he saveth with fear pulling them out of the fire that if possible he might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus To this end our Reverend Author in delivering the mind of God in this Discourse so speaketh as stooping down to the meanest capacity so manifesting much of a sweet Self-denying and Soul-saving Spirit whose Preaching is not with inticeing words of mens wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and with Power who though he could speak with Tongues God having given him the Tongue of the Learned that he might know how to speak a word in season to every weary soul yet I am sure that in the Church of Christ he had rather speak five words with his understanding that all might he edified and comforted than five hundred in an unknown Tongue But I need not say any more in this matter the Work that is before thee Christian Reader doth sufficiently speak for him wherein he as a good Steward of the manifold Grace of God doth labour to give to every one a portion for here thou hast both milk for Babes and strong meat for strong Men in Christ Such as are yet strangers to Christ he labours to bring them into a measure of Spiritual Acquaintance with him and such as do in measure savingly know him he labours to put them into a more full enjoyment of him In order hereunto in the first place he wisely and faithfully acquaints all who desire to set their faces Zion-ward what things they may meet withal in travelling thither letting them understand the worst first that meeting with such things in the way they might not be discouraged so as to be turned out of the good way of the Lord. Moreover in those sweet Discourses he as a Son of Consolation doth speak comfortably labouring more and more to confirm and encourage all the godly to keep on in their way considering that all who are now in Heaven that Haven of Rest and Happiness have more or less trod in the same path viz. of Active and Passive Obedience Yea our Lord himself who is the Captain of our Salvation in his bringing of many Sons to Glory was made perfect through Sufferings and is through Sufferings entered into Glory In which way all that will be found good Soldiers of Christ must be willing to follow him Now as a strong enducement or as a mighty encouraging and perswasive argument hereunto our reverend Author doth hold out in these divine discourses many sweet promises as being proper and peculiar to all and only to such as shall be found overcomers Thereby intimating unto us first That here while we are in the body is the time and place for managing of this spiritual combat and conflict and then secondly here is laid before us what these Enemies are with which we are to encounter in this spiritual combat namely Sin and Satan the World and the Flesh Thirdly by what means every Christian shall be enabled so to manage the great engagement as they may undoubtedly be Conquerers in the end I more then Conquerers viz. Through the faith of Christ who loveth all that are his which love of his being shed abroad in a soul will be in it such constraining love as will be stronger than death causing the soul so to exercise faith in Christ that through the strengh of Christ it shall certainly prevail and wholly overcome and so come in the end to see and share in the comfort of those sweet promises viz. 1. To eat of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God 2. Not to be hurt of the second death 3. To eat of the hidden Manna and to have that white stone c. 4. To have power over the Nations and to have the Morning-star 5. To be cloathed in white rayment c. 6. To be a pillar in the Temple of God and to go no more out c. 7. To sit with Christ in his Throne yea to inherit all things Now good Reader That thou maist be helped to do thy duty faithfully so as thou maist obtain all these things promised effectually and so be made happy in the Lord everlastingly is the earnest prayer of him who is thy sincere well-wisher in the Lord. T.W. SERMON I. REV. II 7. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God THE order of giving this Book of the Revelation is very observable For God the Father gave it to his Son Jesus Christ Christ to his Angel the Angel to John and John to the Seven Churches in Asia Rev. 1.1 4. It 's observed that this John was honoured to be an Evangelist in his Gospel an Apostle in his Epistles and a Prophet in his Revelation It is a Book of singular use to Christians to the end of the world And though many things in it are very mysterious which Christ will reveal to his Servants in their proper seasons yet many things are more clear and obvious The Epistles to the Churches though directed to the Angel of each Church yet concern the whole body and each member and therefore it 's said He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit speaks unto the Churches This is spoken to each particular Church which plainly shews they were all bound to attend the voice of the Holy Ghost in all that is delivered yea all the Churches that have been since now are or ever shall be are concerned in it for all that is written is for our learning upon whom the ends of the world are come Rom. 15.4 The Text is the conclusion of that Epistle directed to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus By the Angel some understand the Ministers so stiled to shew both their dignity and duty This Ephesus was that famous City Acts 19. where the great goddess Diana was so much esteemed in which a Church was planted at first vigorous and
Father said Luke 15. Son thou art ever with me He that is a Servant to day may be none to morrow but if God be a Father and we his Children by Adoption this relation abides unchangeably he is an everlasting Father and we his Sons and Daughters for ever O what an excellent Priviledge is this new Name here promised To be a Son of God is an old Name for Adam was called the son of God but it was only by Creation The Angels in that sense are also called the Sons of God but to which of all the Angels did ever God say Thou art my Adopted Son This is the new Name here spoken of and is the peculiar Priviledg of true Believers 'T is storied That Alexander the Conquerour was by the flattering Oracle saluted as a Son of Jupiter but the Believer who overcomes the Devil Sin and the World in a more noble Spiritual way is by the true Oracle stiled the Son of God To as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name Joh. 1.12 The Believer is no longer a mere Son of Adam but in the instant of his Believing is united to Christ the natural Son of God and so becomes an Adopted one And this is not an empty Title For they are born of God and are of the Seed-royal of Heaven yea this Adoption is Quaedam Similitudo Filiationis aeterni as a Learned man expresses it a Shadow of the Eternal One. The natural son is the Image of Gods nature the brightness of his Fathers glory and the express Image of his person Heb. 1.2 The adopted Son is the Image of his will of his own will begat he us by the word of truth James 1.18 And this puts a lustre upon Believers beyond what is to be seen upon the Princes and Potentates of the earth All the great swelling names thrown upon them by men is but fumus seculi a little smoke which quickly is scattered but this divine Adoption is radius coeli a beam of heavenly glory which makes them shine in the eyes of the Angels and continues an indelible character upon them You see by these things somewhat of the new name here promised and is this a little matter in any mans account When Sauls servants told David of the purposes the King had to give him one of his Daughters to wife David said Seemeth it a light thing to any of you to be a Kings Son-in-law seeing I am a poor man and lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 18.23 What may Believers then say as to this Divine Adoption Shall it be a light matter to be a Son or Daughter of the most high God the King of Kings That they who may say to corruption Thou art my Father or as 't is said Thy Father was an Amorite and thy Mother a Hittite Ezek. 16. should receive the spirit of Adoption crying Abba Father even to God himself This This is that new Name which is here promised to all that overcome I might here add Reasons of this point The love of God to them his chusing-love is the cause of this The Lord loveth the righteous Psal 146.8 Therefore his secret is with the righteous Prov. 3.32 Delilah could not believe Samson's love was so great to her as he pretended because he told her not that great secret where his strength lay It springs also from the purchase of Christ He bought a peculiar people and purchased for them peculiar favours Their common much more their special Mercies are the price of Blood and what Christ hath purchased God will give out unto them To all which add his engagement by Promise as in the Text And faithful is he that hath promised The Vse follows and briefly Vse 1. See here the great mistake of the men of the world who are ready to think none outgo them in their Enjoyments They exceed in outward things and knowing no better conclude themselves the only Favourites of God And others miserable who want them This Errour proceeds from Ignorance of and Inexperience as to higher things Every one is satisfied with what he apprehends most suitable as the Prodigal with his Husks but having a new Nature must have new Food and began to think of the Bread in his Father's house How much are all in a state of Unbelief to be pitied who judge good men have no such Priviledges as to be acquainted with God's Secrets more than themselves They measure a good man by themselves and therefore are ready to say in this case as Eliphaz did to Job in another Hast thou heard the Secret of God What knowest thou that we know not What understandest thou that is not in us Is there any secret thing with thee Job 15.8 9 11. Yet Believers do know and understand what worldly men know not For the Secret of the Lord is with them that fear him The Secrets of his Counsel are reserved in his own breast but the Secrets of his Providence are many times revealed to them Surely the Lord will do nothing but he revealeth his Secrets to his Servants the Prophets Amos 3.7 And the Lord himself saith of Abraham Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I will do Yea the Secrets of his Truth are with Believers for he hath promised his Spirit of Truth shall lead them into all Truth the Secrets of his Love and Grace are with them of which the world knows nothing no more than of the Word of God which the Spirit only can savingly discover which Spirit the world cannot reeeive Joh. 14.16 17. As wicked men have Bread which they eat in secret Prov. 9.17 of which good men desire no knowledg some secret Lust which is as a sweet Morsel under their Tongue as to which good men are ready to say with the Patriarch O my Soul come not thou into their secret or with David Let me not eat of their dainties So they that are truely good have Spiritual Comforts peculiar to themselves which the world knows not of never tasted of Oh pity such and pray if perhaps any may be delivered from their present delusion Vse 2. This Truth and Text is full of Comfort to all true Believers who are victorious in their holy Warfare Set these Divine Refreshments here promis'd against all Discomforts and Discouragements of spirit Are you weak and feeble by the assaults of the enemy here is hidden Manna to strengthen and revive you Are you cast down with the fears of Sins Guilt and Gods Wrath Here is a White-Stone in token of your Election and Absolution which may also relieve against the black coals of Scandal and Reproach with which men are ready to dirty and defile you And if your Names be cast out among men Christ hath given you a new Name that shall be had in everlasting Remembrance when the name of the wicked shall rot And that your Joy may be yet more full from this Text consider
he was a poor man Eccl. 9.15 yet an inheritance without wisdom is not good to the owner of it but a temptation fuel of lust pride vanity and so is harmful for want of this wisdom to order and keep it in its right place out of the heart Moreover there is hostility to be used against the world even in our passing through the world lest it cause us to lose our sight of God by interposing between him and us A man may hide the Sun from his eye with his hand A little of the world if we be not careful may be like a cloud which will keep us from the sight of God But to be curnbred with a multiplicity of cares about these things is to set great mountains between him and us to cause an eclipse of his countenance that we cannot behold him The Moon eclipseth the Sun from our sight earthly things hide the gracious sace of God from us if we be not very watchful against them Yet further we are to fight against this enemy as it doth oppose grace and hinder us in our faith hope and charity In our Faith he that sees a fair estate had need pray and say Lord draw the curtain and let me by faith see thee and thy beauty and glory The God of glory Acts 7. or God in his glory appeared unto Abraham and this so darkned the glory of this world that by Faith he left all at the call of God So much as we fix our eye upon the creature so much the less we see of God and so much the more our faith is hindered When Jacob had least of this world he saw most of God and so it is with many So for hope the world often hurts that the soul is ready to say How shall I travel over the fords and deeps of the world how shall I be able to resign up my all This is hard and difficult to sell all to part with all the hope of better things will carry us through it but if we fix here hope is lost so love and charity they are defiled there is spiritual whoredom between the Soul and the Creature by the love of the world Ye adulterers and adulteresses says St. James Jam. 4.4 know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God Some take it for that spiritual adultrey wherein a man gives his love away from God to the Creature where love to the world prevails the best things are slighted and undervalued we ought to hate Father and Mother Brother and Sister Houses and Lands yea and our own Life also for Christ's sake Luke 14.26 when they stand between us and God then away with them had we not need watch and war against the world to subdue it and get the upper hand of it 1 Cor. 6.12 All things are lawful but I will not he brought under the power of any saith St. Paul He would stand upon the liberty and priviledg Christ gave him he would have the upper hand of these things nothing should command his love his fear or his joy and it is sweet walking with God when in this frame of Spirit That man who stands in right terms with the things of the world is content in every condition instructed in all things and can be in want or abound as it pleaseth God to order for him and this we should account better then the greatest estate in the Countrey these will come on faster in all grace that can cast off this weight and will run the race set before them and none shall hinder them this is the generation of Travellers when Jacob went from his Fathers House he had but a staff and a stone a staff to walk with in the day and a stone to rest his head upon in the night yet he returned two bands and glorious visions of God were given him Gen. 31. Gen. 32. though he met with hardship yet these made him pluck up his feet and go on chearfully This will put resolution into the heart of a Christian Acts 20.23 24. None of these things move me saith St. Paul neither do I count my life dear so I may finish my course with joy This is that which is implied That we have Enemies to war and combate with and we hear what they are 2. That which is expressed is that Overcomers all that get Victory of these Enemies shall eat of the Tree of Life in God's Paradise Some Questions follow for a brief explication of this proposition Quest Who may be said to be Overcomers Answ This Apostle doth best of all resolve the Question which he first propounds and then answers 1 Jo. 5.5 Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God Though the world is only named yet all the Enemies are included for he that gets victory over one overcomes them all some will say who doth not believe this that Jesus is the Son of God There will soon be an end of the war if this be all the Victory will be easy let such know that though there be no great difficulty in giving our assent to this proposition yet the Deity of Christ hath been denied and opposed by none of the meanest for learning not onely by the Pharisees whilst he himself lived but in the times when this Apostle wrote his Epistle and afterwards by the Arrians and Socinians of late How few imbrace it with a Divine Faith which is the only Faith that overcomes in the day of tryal Some take this up upon reasons of antiquity Authority and Consent of the Church in which they live but this Faith will not give us Victory if great trials arise upon this Fundamental Article in the Creed when the Apostle wrote this it was the critical point the Shibboleth as I may say by which one was distinguished from another the discriminating Doctrine the word of Christ's patience Persecution rose so high upon the defenders of this great truth as their Liberties and Lives were in danger to be taken from them for maintaining it at such a day not to be afraid to confess Christ to be the Eternal Son of God gave a comfortable ground to conclude them true Believers such Faith might charitably be judged right by which they thus overcame the world 'T is an easy thing when a Protestant Prince reigns to declare we believe that Transubstantiation is an error contrary to Scripture reason and our very senses but if Popery should come in like a flood and be the prevailing Interest and condemn them to be burnt for Hereticks who deny it as was the case of the Martyrs in the Marian days then to be stedfast even to the death in this perswasion would be a very hopeful evidence of the truth of our belief and of our Victory over the World So in the case this Text mentions O how few would find Faith and Patience to help them to seal to this That Christ is the Son of
a man tells his friend a secret he would not have others know he whispers in his ear so the Lord deals with his People he reveals those secrets to them which every one shall not know which indeed eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entred into the hearts of other men These God reveals to Believers by his spirit 1 Cor. 2.9 10. On this account is the Church stiled by Christ a Garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 Not only are Believers as to their persons so enclosed that they cannot fall away and miss of salvation nor are the graces of such only so enclosed that they perish not but they are also enclosed in their mystical enjoyments that none partake of them but themselves To which agreeth that Prov. 14.10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy Believers have bitter and sweet listings up and castings down sorrows and joys peculiar to themselves alone Quest You will say What are those special favours Christ gives those that overcome which others cannot receive Answ There are many of these peculiar tokens of special love he doth bestow upon them that by faith get Victory over their spiritual Enemies as true Believers do we read that Abraham gave the sons of the Concubines portions and sent them away but to Isaac he gave all that he had Gen. 25 5 6. God gives portions in this Life even to all to the worst of men but some things Believers have others share not in They have the Lord for their God in a peculiar covenant-relation 't is said he is not ashamed to be called their God Heb. 11.16 others have none of the life of God given them none of the fulness of God none of the peculiar knowledge of God no special interest in the attributes of God none of the saving influential goodness of God all which the Saints receive Yea they partake of Christ they have received Christ Jesus the Lord Colos 2.16 others are without Christ no right to the Covenant no interest in the Promises no reconciliation no righteousness no acceptance no salvation for these benefits are derived to men by Faith in Christ I might adde Believers only are partakers of the spirit of God I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter saith Christ even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive John 14.16 17. And he is to them a Spirit of Light and Wisdom a Spirit of Power and Love and of a sound mind a spirit of Grace and Holiness a spirit of Love and joy none of which things others partake of But I wave those and confine my discourse to those in the Text. 1. Hidden Manna To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna that is of Christ himself whom though none of the Princes of this World knew yet God reveals this hidden Manna to his hidden ones by his Spirit It is an allusion to the Manna God gave Israel the Wilderness which was a famous and excellent type of Christ as he himself largely declares John 6. Moses gave you not that Bread from Heaven but my Father giveth you the true Bread from Haven For this pointing to himself is the Bread of God which cometh down from Heaven and giveth life unto the World verse 32.33 and so verse 48. I am that Bread of Life Again vers 56. This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven whereof if a man eats he shall not dye This Manna God gave the Jews was twice hidden 1. It fell in the dew of the Morning and so was hidden from their sight for it is said when the Dew was gone up they saw a little round thing and when they saw it they said it is Manna Ex. 16.14 15 33. And 2. It was hidden when some part of it was by Gods appointment put into a golden pot and preserved as a memorial of that wonderful Work to future Generations unto this latter many take the Text to allude The sense of this Promise take in two things 1. That Christ will give Overcomers to feed and feast upon himself sweet tastes of himself here in Dunes and Ordinances Even in these they shall be able to say as Christ did I have meat to eat you know not of Joh. 4.32 we have hidden Manna given us the World cannot taste of Of this they eat sometimes in Prayer when Hannah had prayed she was so strengthened by this Manna that 't is said her countenance was no more sad 1 Sam. 1.18 An ancient once speaking of what he met with of Christ in this Ordinance said nunquam abs te absque te recedo Lord I never go from thee without thee very sweet are the Refreshments victorious souls meet with in this Duty so in hearing the word they meet with more than a voice of words even Angels food the hungry soul is filled they eat the word as Jeremiah saith he did and find their weak hands strengthened their feeble knees confirmed their fainting hearts comforted their doubts resolved and their minds settled Whilst Peter was preaching the word the Holy-Ghost fell upon all the hearers Acts 10.44 Especially in that great Ordinance of the Lords Supper Believers feed not only upon Sacramental Bread but hidden Manna also Here they eat his Flesh which is meat indeed and drink his Blood which is drink indeed and sup with Christ and he with them Here they have a feast of fat things and wine on the lees well refined they are satisfied as with marrow and fatness and taste his love which is better than wine fat things both sweet and filling yet not cloying as other fat things are My soul is satisfied with the goodness of thy house even of thy holy Temple says David Psal 65.4 We read that the Israelites nauseated the Manna We have nothing besides this Manna Numb 11. who shall give us flesh to eat The excellent Bread God gave them was now but light Bread and they loathed it and grew weary of it but the spiritual refreshments Believers sometimes are partakers of have a present delight in them and create an earnest appetite in the soul after them Such hidden Manna does Christ give them to eat here 2. This Promise intimates that they shall feed and feast themselves upon him in Heaven He is hid and laid up there as the Manna in the golden pot was laid up in the holiest of all which was but a shadow of this mystery This none but themselves can be admitted to share in for without are the fearful and the unbelievers Here they eat by Faith there by sight here now and then a little as they are able to bear there fully and without intermission Here when the King sits at the table their spiknard sends forth its savour their graces and gracious affections slow forth What will the Sweet-Meats of Heaven the full and eternal fruition of this Banquet the everlasting enjoyment of these Dainties produce in them
be given If a man hath Faith in the Habit only though it were as strong as Abraham's yet it will do little towards a Victory but Faith though but as a grain of Mustard-seed yet in lively exercise will do wonders Hence it is a strong Believer that suffers sloth and security to grow upon him will fall before the Enemy when the weak Christian improving his little Strength shall be victorious and get the better of him If any object we find the Enemy too strong for us as the Sons of Zeruiah were too strong for David so may some say The evil Heart within Satan and the World without are too hard for me I shall never overcome I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul by the Policy and Power of my Adversaries Let such look to their Captain for fresh Auxiliaries and fear not God gave St. Paul and will thee Victory not for or by thine own Endeavours though they must be used but through Jesus Christ Particularly 1. Through the Strength of Christ I can do all things and suffer all things too saith the Apostle through Christ that strengthneth me Phil. 4.13 A Christian in Christ walks up and down the world like a Conquerour but without him they can do nothing John 15.5 2. Through the Blood and Cross of Christ 'T is said that when Constantine was going to fight against his Enemies the Sign of the Cross appeared to him with these words written upon it By this shalt thou Overcome I know no Vertue to be in the Sign of the Cross but I read the Saints overcame the Dragon by the Blood of the Cross that Blood of the Lamb shed upon the Cross Christ's Blood is Sin-conquering Satan-subduing and World-overcoming Blood 3. Through the Word of Christ The Apostle saith That Young men having the Word of God abiding in them overcome the wicked One 1 Joh. 2.14 Young Saints by this applied and improved overcome old Adam yea that old Serpent the Devil 4. By the Love of Christ Believers are said to be more than Conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8.37 Many waters cannot quench the flame of this Love nor the floods drown the sense of it Love is strong as Death and Death overcomes all none can stand before it 5. By the Victory of Christ Hence he doth cheer up the hearts of his troubled Disciples ready to faint at the consideration of his Departure from them and the Hatred of the world against them Be of good comfort I have overcome the world This he did as a publick Person for himself and for his Church and every Member of it When Satan conquered the first Adam he overcame all Mankind all being in him their Head and Representative So all in Christ the second Adam do and shall Overcome by his victory Therefore be of good cheer I have overcome the world As if he had said My Victory is yours and for you else if they had no Interest in it what support could this give to them Well then Let all that are of a fearful heart be perswaded to fight as if they had no Captain no Christ yet to rely on the Strength Blood Word Love and Victory of Christ as if they had not struck a stroke so shall they certainly Overcome their Enemies and enjoy the good of these Promises SERMON VII REV. III. 21. To him that Overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also Overcame and am set down with my Father in his Throne THis is the last though not the least of those Seven Promises made to Overcomers in this and the former Chapter It is directed to the Angel of the Church of Laodicea vers 14. This Angel some think was Archippus who had declined from his first life and activity in the work of the Ministry Hence the Apostle Paul bad some say to Archippus Take heed to thy self and to thy ministry that thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfil it Col. 4.17 Laodicea was a City nigh to the Collosians and the Church planted there seems more corrupt than any of the other In some there is much commended and something reprehended In others nothing reproved but much commended Here much reproved nothing of commendation The sum of the Epistle is to discover her Sins and perswade to repentance The sins were two 1. A detestable neutrality in their Christian profession at the 15 verse Thou art neither cold nor hot as if he had said thou art indifferently affected neither eager for the truth nor an open Enemy to it Neither a zealous professor nor a professed Enemy to Religion but a neuter halting betwen two as they 1 Kings 18.21 2. Pride and self-conceit in the 17 verse Thou sayest I am rich and encreased with goods and have need of nothing c. as if he had said Thou dost boast as if thou wert rich in all manner of spiritual Grace that nothing need be added to that perfection thou hast attained when thou vauntest thus being ignorant of thine own lamentable state not knowing that thou art poor and beggarly yet poor and proud like a beggar boasting of wealth so true of her was that of Solomon There is that maketh himself rich and yet hath nothing Prov. 13.7 And some think that the reason why no fault was mentioned in some Churches was not because there was no imperfection in them but to shew how much the Lord favoureth humble modesty and nothing commended in Laodicea not because there was nothing good among them but to shew how much the Lord disliketh a luke-warm temper and a proud vain-glorious disposition These were her sins Now Christ perswades to repentance by many arguments 1. From his own Omniscience verse 15. I know thy works that thou art neither hot nor cold as if he had said though thou beest careless yet I care though thou takest no notice yet I do I observe what temper thou art of and how doubly thou dealest by me 2. By an argument drawn from the loathsomness of this sin verse 16. Because thou art neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth Though they might think it were nothing to deal thus deceitfully with God they might account it a piece of wisdom to be thus moderate as some call it But I have other thoughts of it it is a filthy abominable sin I will spue thee out of my mouth for it if thou beest not zealous and repent a plain expression intimating the loathsomness of it as we spit at that which is loathsom to our Stomach so does the Lord by this declare how much he abhors this sin in our Religion 3. From the present inconvenience it brought upon her verse 17. It brings them into a miserable condition They had a seeming shew to be rich and wife and happy and full when they were poor and blind and wretched and naked A shew of Religion makes men think they are in a good estate and want