Learn hereby in the use of all temporal blessings to seek ⟨p. 211⟩for pardon of sin. It is one end of Grace before meat (according to the* ancient and commendable custom of Gods people) to have the curse taken away from the creatures we use, and to have them turned into a blessing. Do the like, crave pardon of sin, before thou goest about the work of thy calling, before thou takest a journey, before thou goest to any recreation though thou knowest it to be lawful and meet, before thou goest to bed, when thou risest up, in all things, at all times seek remission of sin. Never think thy self well or safe, no not in thy greatest abundance or best prosperity till thou have assurance thereof.2 Sin not remitted lieth as a bondage at the door, and keepeth all Gods blessings from entering.3 Sin, like a cloud, hideth from us the bright Sun-shine of Gods favour. Sin like the accursed thing which Achan stole,4 maketh us a prey to our deadliest enemies. Sin, as the wild gourds, bringeth death with it, and that into such things as are otherwise wholesome,5 and good. Sin, like that hand-writing which on a wall appeared to Bel-shazzar, in the middest of our greatest jollity, will change countenance, trouble thoughts, loose joints, and make knees to smite one against another. Is there not then great and just cause in all things at all times to seek pardon thereof?
Learne hereby in the vse of all temporall blessings to seeke ⟨p. 211⟩for pardon of sinne. It is one end of Grace before meate (according to the* ancient and commendable custome of Gods people) to haue the curse taken away from the creatures we vse, and to haue them turned into a blessing. Do the like, craue pardon of sinne, before thou goest about the worke of thy calling, before thou takest a iourney, before thou goest to any recreation though thou knowest it to be lawfull and meete, before thou goest to bed, when thou risest vp, in all things, at all times seeke remission of sinne. Neuer thinke thy selfe well or safe, no not in thy greatest abundance or best prosperitie till thou haue assurance thereof.2 Sinne not remitted lieth as a bondage at the doore, and keepeth all Gods blessings from entring.3 Sinne, like a cloud, hideth from vs the bright Sunne-shine of Gods fauour. Sinne like the accursed thing which Achan stole,4 maketh vs a prey to our deadliest enemies. Sinne, as the wilde gourdes, bringeth death with it, and that into such things as are otherwise wholesome,5 and good. Sinne, like that hand-writing which on a wall appeared to Bel-shazzar, in the middest of our greatest iolletie, will change countenance, trouble thoughts, loose ioynts, and make knees to smite one against another. Is there not then great and iust cause in all things at all times to seeke pardon thereof?
- *1. Sam. 9. 13. Math. 14. 19. Luke 24. 30. Acts 27. 35.
- 2Gen. 4. 7.
- 3Lam. 3. 44.
- 4Jos. 7. 11. &c. 2. King. 4. 40.Ios. 7. 11. &c. 2. King. 4. 40.
- 5Dan. 5. 5, 6.
