( 19 )
a hundred miles from the word, we say the word is good, but when the word is near to command us, and to controul our lusts, and deny our wills: when we do as Jeroboam's conscience, that slipt the shackles, when Gods word was like, as he did think to deprive him of his kingdom. Our conscience goes along with the word in general, but when it meets with our wild humours, or lights on Herod's best, then we cry and complain as he did: when our lusts rise, and the word binds our conscience, then conscience gives God fair words, like a flattering friend or knavish servant, that is ay to seek when there is most ado The adulterer says God's word is true yet in time of temptation, when the seventh command comes in handy-grips, and are all wrestling then he tells another tale. The mind is as a judge that ay does right till he get ill counsel, and then never a good turn The mind afar off judges aright of God's word, but in comes the affections; as an ill counsellor and does lead conscience by the nose: when it comes to practice, the affections are conscience's ill neighbours, like Rehoboam's counsellors.
Verse 10. And I fell down at his feet o worship. We read of very few of John, faults; he fell twice into idolatry, very in considerately taking the angel to be more nor an angel he directing his worship to God, as he supposed; his heart being too much addicted to admire and reverence a creature, he slips when he doats so much on instruments; humility can steal in on our hearts in the heat of love, and Satan can beguile us with it. Idolatry comes in upon John with a sweet disguise, he welcomed it asGod's
