§. 107. Of wilfulness, aggravating sin.
THe erring in heart here intended, is such perversness of will as made them 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 part from the wayes of the Lord, and stubbornly oppose against him.
This is it that much grieved the Lord, and forced him to complain against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Of Gods complaining, See §. 105.
Of sinners wilfulness and stubbornness Wisdom complains, Prov. 1. 24, 25. A•…•… God himself, Isa. 1. 4, 5. And he tels his Prophet, That they are impudent and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hearted, Ezek 3. 7.
This wilfulness makes men refuse and reject the means which God affords for th•…•… good: and brings them into an incurable condition, Prov. 1. 24, 25, 26.
How earnest should we be in beating down our stout stomacks and proud he•…•… Such hearts are in us all by nature; but much increased by our own pervers•…•… Think how little thou gainest thereby. It is the Almighty God against whom t•…•… standest out, He with the froward will shew himself froward, Psal. 18. 26. Obser•…•… how parents deal with stubborn children, they will make them feel the smart of th•…•… wilfulness. Is it safe for the earthen pot to dash it self against the iron pot?
Pray to God to give thee a heart of flesh, which may be affected with his •…•…∣cies, tremble at his judgements, and melt at his Word. Pray that thy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be made pliable to Gods will. To this we ought to give the more •…•…∣gence, because it is very hardly rooted out: as the phrase next to be sp•…•… of, sheweth.