Wicked Men Fools

    WICKED MEN FOOLS

    "The Fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" Ps 14:1.

    "Yea, also, when he that is a Fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a Fool," Ec 10:3.

    "For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one," Job 5:2.

    "They were children of Fools, yea, children of base men, they were viler than the earth," Job 30:8.

    "Thou Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee," Lu 12:20.

    SIN is folly, great folly, and sinners are Fools; how often in the Proverbs are ungodly men, though accounted very worldly-wise, called Fools, simple ones, men of no understanding?

    SIMILE

    I. A Fool is one that knows not what is good, what is best for him; he is a man of no understanding.

    PARALLEL

    I. So wicked men know not what is good and right in itself; they know not what is good for themselves, they are men of no understanding; they cry, "Who will show us any good?" Ps 4:6. That is, saith Mr. Caryl, any good cheer, plenty of corn and wine. They esteem gold and silver, and other outward good things, before pardon, peace of conscience, and the favour of God, and are therefore Fools.

    SIMILE

    II. A Fool or idiot will hurt, wrong, or abuse himself. Perhaps you have heard of the gentleman's Fool, who happened to be in company with a carpenter, and the carpenter making himself merry with him, hid his hat: but it so fell out, as the matter is related, the carpenter some time after chanced to fall asleep with his head upon a block, which the Fool observing, he took an ax, and chopped off his head, and hid it amongst the chips, and then went laughing away; but being asked wherefore he laughed? O, saith he, I have cut off the carpenter's head, and have hid it amongst the chips; and I wonder how he will do to find it when he awakes. But for this he was committed to prison, and when he was brought to his trial, the judge was informed that he was a natural Fool; but that he might be convinced it was true, he ordered a knife to be given to him, and accordingly it was; then said the judge to the poor idiot, cut yourself with that knife; and he, poor soul! did so immediately: by which the judge knew he was indeed a Fool, and so acquitted him.

    PARALLEL

    II. Wicked men hurt themselves: nothing wrongs or wounds a man more than sin, hence called a dart, sting, &c. Yet so void are all ungodly men of understanding, that they consent to sin, yield to sin, run, as it were, this spear into their own bowels, wound themselves to the very heart, and yet say, are not we in sport? can there be any greater folly, or a more palpable sign of a Fool, than for a man to whip, lash, scourge, and do thus unto himself? when Satan tempts men to sin, he doth, as it were, put a knife into their hands, and then bids them cut and slash themselves with it; and yet no sooner doth Satan tempt and entice them, but they presently consent away; but being asked, wherefore to him, until they have wounded themselves from the crown of their heads, to the soles of their feet. What man but a Fool would run into the hornet's nests? or after this lamentable manner wound himself? sinners are such Fools, that they play with the asp, and delight to be at the mouth of the cockatrice' den. Sin in the holy scriptures is compared to both these cruel serpents; and hence the poison of asps is said to be under their tongues, Ps 140:3; Ro 3:13. Who but Fools or mad men, will sport and play with such venomous serpents, or drink down deadly poison, when told again and again what it is, and what the effects of it will be, and yet they will do it. "Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright," Pr 23:31-32. That is, whatever allurements there are to sin, take heed of it: "At last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

    SIMILE

    III. Is not that man a Fool, who will harbour a thief in his house? and though he be told of it, and that he is in danger of losing all his goods, and having his throat cut by him, he being a bloody murderer, yet laughs at it, and loves his enemy, and hugs him in his bosom, and resolves to eat and drink with him, and lodge him in his chiefest room: and yet is informed this thief never spared any man that showed him favour.

    PARALLEL

    III. Wicked Men harbour sin, and deceitful lusts in their souls, which is the bloodiest thief and murderer that ever was; that spares none, nor ever did, who entertained it, or took delight therein. It hath slain and utterly undone thousands, and tens of thousands, yea, many millions: yet they hug this cursed traitor, and let him lodge in their hearts, and lie in their bosoms, and show him all the favour and kindness imaginable; and do they not from hence appear to be the greatest Fools in nature?

    SIMILE

    IV. Is not that man a Fool, that striveth with one that is infinitely stronger than himself? or thinks a thorn hedge can stand before a consuming fire? or supposes a potsherd can prevail against the potter?

    PARALLEL

    IV. Wicked men strive with the great God and do they not in this show themselves to be Fools? have they an arm like God? can they thunder with a voice like him? yet they continually resist him, and fight against him, Job 40:9. They that go on in their evil ways, make war with the Almighty, and dread-Sovereign of heaven and earth. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker: let the potsherd strive with the pot-sherds of the earth," Isa 45:9. Do you not see this day, how man, sorry man, sets himself against God! they are resolved to see what they can do, they will not yet lay down the eudgels; they set their wisdom against God's wisdom, and try if they can counter-work him in the ways of his providences. Now, what a folly is this! God is as a consuming fire, and man is as stubble fully dry. See what Jehovah himself saith upon this account: "Who would set the briers and thorns against him in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together," Isa 27:4. Now is not he that takes up arms against such an enemy, that commands heaven and earth, a Fool? he whom all the forces of earth and hell are not able to withstand; who at a word of his mouth makes frogs invade Pharaoh, and stars to fight against Sisera; who makes the hills and mountains quake and tremble before him, &c. "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who ever hardened their heart against him, and prospered?" Job 9:4.

    SIMILE

    V. Is not he a Fool that hath not wisdom enough to direct himself? but then what will you say of him that will not follow the counsel and direction of the wise? though he is told, the way that he is in will bring him into a lion's den; or if he step one step further, he will fall into a furnace of fire: yet resolveth to go on, notwithstanding he confesseth he hath no ground to question the truth of that, which is in faithfulness told him.

    PARALLEL

    V. Wicked Men have not wisdom enough to direct themselves; but that which adds to their folly is this, they will not take the counsel of the wise God, nor the direction of his faithful ministers. Though they are told day by day, that if they proceed and go on in the ways they are in, viz., swear, lie, whore, be drunk, &c., they must perish, and be damned for ever; and that they know not, but the next time they commit any of those sin's, they may fall into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone: yet they will go on, and continue in their sins, contemning all advice and counsel, though they have not the least ground to question the truth of what is declared to them, since the word of God saith possitively, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish:" Lu 13:5. "And that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, &c., nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners," 1Co 6:9-10. And now though they know they are guilty of some of these, or the like sins, yet they resolve to live in them, and therefore are Fools.

    SIMILE

    VI. Is not he a Fool, that is not able to judge of the nature of things, or of times, or occasions, and from hence is angry with every thing that suits not with his nature, or foolish humour? he will be angry with the sun, if it shine hotter than he would have it, and with the winds, if they blow harder than he would have them; he likes not the winter, nor would have it ever rain.

    PARALLEL

    VI. Wicked Men are such Fools that they know not the nature of things, times, nor occasions. He is offended with those ways of God that cross his sinful appetite; he would fain have God yield to him, and order things that suit his filthy lusts. If the word forbid all sin, and would, if it might kindle upon his heart and conscience, burn up and destroy all his lusts; presently he cries out, it is too hot, and therefore strives to put it out. In a word, he would be saved in a way of sin, i.e., have his wounds healed, and yet the sting let alone in the flesh; he would be well, but take no physic; would go to heaven, but never walk in the way to it; he would not be naked, and yet will put on no clothes, &c., and therefore a Fool. To vex and be angry at the troubles that fall upon us, or at the hand of God which sends them, is a high point of folly.

    SIMILE

    VII. A Fool will take brass counters for gold, and be pleased with bugles more than with diamonds. When an heir, saith Mr. Caryl,[1] is impleaded for an idiot, the judge commands an apple, or a counter, with a piece of gold to be set before him, to try which he will take the apple, or the counter, and leave the gold, he is then cast for a Fool, and unable to manage his estate; for he knows not the value of things, or how to make a true election.

    [1] Caryl on Job, c. 5. p. 182.

    PARALLEL

    VII. Wicked Men are thus foolish, and more; for when bugles and diamonds, counters and gold are set before them, they leave the diamonds and the gold, and please themselves with those toys and baubles; when, which is infinitely more sottish, heaven and hell, life and death, are set before them, they choose hell rather than heaven, and death rather than life; they take the mean, transitory, trifling things of this world, before the favour of God, the pardon of sin, a part in Jesus Christ, and an inheritance amongst the Saints in light; they prefer a moment's time of sinful ease and pleasure, before an eternity of joy and glory in heaven, they prefer the creature above the Creator; they labour more for the present good of their bodies, than for the eternal good of their souls, which are ten thousand times of greater worth: and do not these things demonstrate fully that they are Fools?

    SIMILE

    VIII. Is not he a Fool, that feeds on husks, gravel, and ashes, and yet thinks he feeds on the best food? He lives among swine, and feeds as they feed, and yet is contented?

    PARALLEL

    VIII. Wicked Men are said in the holy scriptures to feed on husks, gravel, and ashes, by which is meant the pleasures, profits, and honours of this world; for what is it that they feed upon, or take delight in, but these things? Isa 45:20. Take away their outward enjoyments, or the comforts of the world, and their hearts, like Nabal's, will die within them, or like a man that pines away for want of food: for alas! they have nothing else to support their spirits. And whilst they feed upon these things, they conclude they feed upon the best food, and enjoy the chiefest good; yet they never have a real taste of the love of God in Christ, nor do they know how good the Lord is, nor will they make trial, though they are invited to come and buy, and eat that which is good, and let their souls delight themselves in fatness. The prodigal would fain have filled his belly with husks that the swine eat, wicked men being intended by the swine in that place, but no man gave to him, Lu 15:16.

    SIMILE

    IX. Is not he a fool, that thinks it is time enough to sow when he should reap? When he should gather in his harvest, he begins to sow his seed; or when he sows tares, thinks to reap wheat. That work, that would take up the whole tune of his life, he thinks may be done on a death-bed, or in an hour or two at the end of his days: or who, having a long race to run, that requires all his strength, resolves to defer it until old, decrepid age?

    PARALLEL

    IX. Wicked Men think it is time enough to repent, when they have spent all their days in sin, and in serving the devil. When they should reap the harvest of a godly life, they think it is time enough to begin to sow to the Spirit, and convert to God. They sow to the flesh, and yet think to reap life everlasting; when nothing is more evident than this, viz., "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap;" therefore saith the apostle. "He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting," Ga 6:7-8. Shall foolish Men think to serve the devil all the best of their days, and yet hope that at last God will accept of their repentance?

    SIMILE

    X. A Fool delighteth to do mischief; or as Solomon saith, "It is as sport to a Fool to do mischief," Pr 10:23. We daily see how mischievous idiots are; it is dangerous to let some of them at large, or to be in company with them, though others are more harmless.

    PARALLEL

    X. Wicked Men are full of mischief. Hence saith David, "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men; in whose hands is mischief," &c.,Ps 26:9. "Draw me not away with the Wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbour, but mischief is in their hearts. Yea, he deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good," Ps 28:3. Nothing more evident than this. How restless have the ungodly been in every age of the Church, to contrive mischief against their peaceable neighbours, especially the wicked Papists! What plots and sham-plots have they devised, to destroy the quiet and peace of this land, nay, to destroy the upright and godly people that dwell therein! They care not what mischief they do, so that they may undo and spoil those who hate their idolatrous Church. One while they study ways how to blow up the king and parliament; another while, burn our houses, and lay our famous city in ashes. And, as if this mischief were not enough, they have carried on a secret and devilish design to take away our religion and lives, and whatsoever is dear to us; and then to blind the unwary and credulous sort of people, invent sham-plots to cast all upon the innocent Protestants. But let them remember, in this they are but Fools; they have the mark and brand of Fools upon them, and their mischief shall fall upon their own heads. "He that seeketh mischief, it shall come upon him," Pr 11:27.

    SIMILE

    XI. Is not he a Fool, that labours for the wind, and thinks to feed on the wind, and pursues a shadow, and sets his heart upon that which is not?

    PARALLEL

    XI. Wicked Men are said to labour for the wind: riches are compared to the wind; and he that pursues after them, pursues after the wind: and what a Fool is he that doth thus! "What profit hath he saith Solomon, that hath laboured for the wind?" Ec 5:16. And as Men are said to labour for the wind, so likewise they are said to feed upon the wind: "Ephraim on wind, and followeth after the east wind," Ho 12:1, which, saith Mr. Burroughs, is a proverbial speech, to note the following after vain and unprofitable things; that is, to feed on the wind, when men please themselves in their own conceits, and in their own counsels and plots, &c., 1. When they promise to themselves great matters by ways of their own, and leave God's ways and institutions, they may be said to feed on the wind; and the prophet rebuketh the ten tribes for this. 2. They feed on the wind, saith he, and so their hearts are puffed up in pride and carnal confidence. You know, according to the food a man or woman feedeth upon, so will their bodies be; so those that feed upon the wind, must needs have proud hearts, or be puffed up with pride and self-conceitedness. 3. Evil men, that live upon comforts that are carnal, and seek for the honour and applause of Men, they "Feed upon the wind," they seek to satisfy themselves with vanity, they strive to take hold of a shadow, and follow after the wind, things that cannot, fill the soul, nor satisfy its desires; things that are uncertain, lost by one storm at sea, consumed by one spark of fire, or gone by a false oath, or wasted by the badness of trade, or by the extravagancy of an evil and foolish son, and therefore are Fools.

    SIMILE

    XII. Is not he a Fool, that esteems the greatest evil above the greatest good?

    PARALLEL

    XII. Wicked Men set their hearts upon their base and cursed lusts, love their sins more than God and Christ. We read of some who are "Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God," 2Ti 3:4. Now is not sin the greatest evil, and God the greatest good? There is nothing bitterer than the one, nor nothing better than the other; and yet they choose sin, and refuse the good that is in the eternal God, and account Christ not worth the pleasure of one wicked lust, and therefore Fools.

    SIMILE

    XIII. Is not he a Fool, who to avoid a spark, leaps into the fire; or to save his hat loses his head?

    PARALLEL

    XIII. Wicked Men, to avoid a little trouble and affliction in this world, expose themselves to eternal torment, before they will deny themselves of their lusts, they will burn in hell for them; rather than go to prison for Christ, they will go to hell for denying of him.

    INFERENCES

    I. Lament over Wicked Men; Fools are to be pitied.

    II. Be patient, and thou wilt see what will become of these Fools.

    III. It shows what abundance of folly and Fools there are in the world.

    IV. It shows us how strangely ungodly Men, worldly wise Men are deceived in themselves.

    V. It shows what true wisdom is: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding;" Job 28:28, and in another place it is said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and a good understanding have all they that do his commandments," Ps 111:10.

    VI. Let it caution thee to take heed lest thou art a Fool: the characters of such an one, as given by wise Solomon, take as followeth, (1.) He will be meddling. (2.) One that is, as you have heard, mischievous, Pr 10:23. (3.) One that many afflictions and stripes will not work upon nor humble. (4.) One whose sin cleaves to him, Pr 27:22. (5.) One that is full of words, Ec 10:14. (6.) One that will utter all his mind, Pr 29:11; speaks that which he should conceal. (7.) One that prosperity destroys, Pr 1:32. (8.) One that is slothful, Ec 4:5. (9.) One that trusteth in his own heart, Pr 28:26. (10.) One that holdeth it folly to depart from evil, Pr 13:19.