But the text speaks of " imaginations and of high things which exalt themselves," not merely against the authority, but " even against the knowledge, of God." We must therefore mark the rebellion of men as it shews itself in their " thoughts" which serve as " strong-holds" in which they are intrenched and fortified, and by means of which they exclude God from their hearts.
They fortify themselves then,
1. By proud thoughts —
[It is scarcely credible that such an insect as man should exalt himself with such impious presumption in the presence of his God. If we assert the authority of God, and vindicate his claim to their hearts, they reply, like Pharaoh, " Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? I know not the Lord; neither will I obey his voice ^."]
2. By unbelieving thoughts —
[We declare what will certainly be the issue of the con- test ; and that, if they will not bow to the sceptre of his grace, the}' shall be broken in pieces with a rod of iron'': and that, if they will not have Christ to reign over them, he will call forth his executioners to slay them before him*^. But not one word of this will they believe. They deny that God will ever execute his threatenings, or that they have any thing to fear at his hands ''.J
3. By worldly thoughts —
[When we summon them to surrender themselves up to God, they tell us, that at some more convenient season they may listen to us ; but at present they are so occupied with the cares or pleasures of life, that they cannot find leisure for such concerns as these. To all our pressing invitations, they either answer, more civilly, " I pray thee have me excused," or, more rudely, " I cannot come^."]
4. By self-righteous thoughts —
[When they are driven, as it were, from their out-posts, they raise interior fortifications with great zeal and industry : they encompass themselves with " works of righteousness," and there insist upon stipulations and agreements with God. They will pay him such a tribute ; they will perform such
^ Exod. V. 2. See also Ps. xii. 4, and Jer. xliv. 16. •> Ps. ii. 0. c Luke xix. 27.
<i Ps. xciv. 7. with Mai. ii. 17. * Luke xiv. 18 — 20.