Thus we see, it may be made sure, now therefore let us go about it, and that with diligence. If you purchase lands, you buy the strength of law to make sure the tenures: if you drive a bargain, you will have earnest for assurance: if you let money to interest, you will not do it without good assurance. The common voice of all the Usurers about the town, is Assurance: the very Stage knows them by no other names, but Security and Assurance. You bind a debtor to you surer, than the Philistines bound Sampson: and if he cannot loose himself, you put out his eyes, set him to grind at the mill, while you eat the flour. All is made so sure, that neither the corrupt man of law, nor the Devil himself, can find a trick to untie it. But now for heaven and salvation, you play at fast and loose: the last thing that ever is assured, is your eternal bliss. Beloved, I would this were a slander, and that you could nobly confute my jealousy with your actual piety. O that upon so good terms I might be brought hither again, to recant it: for you are sure! when did you ever take so much pains, to be sure of the pardon of your sins, as you do weekly to make sure your debts? The want of that assurance hath often broke your sleeps, ⟨p. 218⟩when did the want of this disquiet you? I will tell you; the purchase of your lands, the leases of your houses, the bonds of your moneys, the care of your books; shall all at the day of Judgement, be bills of accusation, and indictments against you. A man apprehended for a robbery, is convicted, condemned; yet by suit of friends reprieved, till they can get a pardon for him. In the mean time come some of his acquaintance, and will him to be of good cheer; they sing, dance, and drink with him: he answers, I am condemned, the sentence is past, the execution is ready; how easy it will be to get a pardon, I fear: if I were sure to escape, I could be merry with you; till then, I must say to laughter, thou art mad; and to jovisance, be thou a stranger to me. Thus stands the case with us; the Law hath condemned us for transgression, the devils are ready executioners to hasten Justice; show me my pardon, assure me that the great King of heaven hath forgiven me; I can then rejoice; till then, no comfort can down with me. There is a tale of a covetous man, that had nothing in his mouth, but It is good to be sure.
Thus we see, it may be made sure, now therefore let us goe about it, and that with diligence. If you purchase lands, you buy the strength of law to make sure the tenures: if you drive a bargaine, you will have earnest for assurance: if you let money to interest, you will not doe it without good assurance. The common voice of all the Vsurers about the towne, is Assurance: the very Stage knowes them by no other names, but Security and Assurance. You bind a debtor to you surer, than the Philistims bound Sampson: and if he cannot loose himselfe, you put out his eyes, set him to grind at the mill, while you eat the floure. All is made so sure, that neither the corrupt man of law, nor the Devill himselfe, can finde a tricke to untie it. But now for heaven and salvation, you play at fast and loose: the last thing that ever is assured, is your eternall blisse. Beloved, I would this were a slander, and that you could nobly confute my jealousie with your actuall piety. O that upon so good termes I might bee brought hither againe, to recant it: for you are sure! when did you ever take so much paines, to be sure of the pardon of your sinnes, as you doe weekely to make sure your debts? The want of that assurance hath often broke your sleepes, ⟨p. 218⟩when did the want of this disquiet you? I will tell you; the purchase of your lands, the leases of your houses, the bonds of your moneyes, the care of your bookes; shall all at the day of Iudgement, be bills of accusation, and indictments against you. A man apprehended for a robbery, is convicted, condemned; yet by suit of friends reprived, till they can get a pardon for him. In the meane time come some of his acquaintance, and will him to be of good cheare; they sing, dance, and drinke with him: he answers, I am condemned, the sentence is past, the execution is ready; how easie it will be to get a pardon, I feare: if I were sure to escape, I could be merry with you; till then, I must say to laughter, thou art madde; and to jovisance, be thou a stranger to me. Thus stands the case with us; the Law hath condemned us for transgression, the devils are ready executioners to hasten Iustice; shew me my pardon, assure me that the great King of heaven hath forgiven me; I can then rejoyce; till then, no comfort can downe with me. There is a tale of a covetous man, that had nothing in his mouth, but It is good to be sure.
