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And here I dare from my own observation assuredly affirm, that outward ⟨p. 28⟩sins have not been at some times so grievous to Gods children; as that they have sometimes used the means with little reverence and with less fruit. And no marvel, we shall see many men at some times, not so much grieved for their sickness it self, as for that that they have either willingly neglected the means which might have preserved their health, or that they have abused the Physic that might have restored their health to them again: in like manner (I say) it fareth with them, who either unreverentlie have refused the means, which should keep their souls from surfeiting: or else unthankfully have abused those helps, which might have recovered them again. From hence it cometh, that some men are as much grieved for not using their good gifts to the benefit of Gods Church, as others are troubled for pestering the Church with unprofitable corruptions; or as we shall see a rich man sometimes as much humbled for not giving money to the poor, which he might have done; as for heaping up riches falsely, which he ought not to have done. And thus, many (having received good gifts and graces from the Lord) are seasoned and sanctified by afflictions; whereby they are taught to put their gifts in ure, and to offer their service to Christ: and others are forced to ⟨p. 29⟩hide their gifts, which cannot be without some decay of Gods glory, without offence to the weak, without the loss of many souls, which otherwise might be won to the gospel, and without strengthening the hand of the adversary to slander our dark and dumb profession. All which things will in the end bring terror of mind: because if the Lord cannot work upon us by taking away goods, friends, credit, wife, children, or such like, to bring us to Repentance; he will surely whip our naked consciences, he will enter even into our very entrails, and pierce our secret bowels.

And heere I dare from my owne obseruation assuredlye affirme, that outward ⟨p. 28⟩sinnes haue not beene at some times so grieuous to Gods children; as that they haue sometimes vsed the meanes with little reuerence and with lesse fruite. And no maruel, we shall see many men at some times, not so much grieued for their sicknesse it selfe, as for that that they haue either willingly neglected the meanes which might haue preserued their health, or that they haue abused the Phisicke that might haue restored their health to them againe: in like manner (I say) it fareth with them, who eyther vnreuerentlie haue refused the meanes, which shoulde keepe their soules from surfetting: or else vnthankfully haue abused those helpes, which might haue recouered them againe. From hence it commeth, that some men are as much grieued for not vsing their good giftes to the benefit of Gods Church, as others are troubled for pestering the Church with vnprofitable corruptions; or as we shall see a rich man sometimes as much humbled for not giuing money to the poore, which hee might haue done; as for heaping vp riches falselie, which hee ought not to haue done. And thus, many (hauing receiued good giftes and graces from the Lord) are seasoned and sanctified by afflictions; whereby they are taught to put their giftes in vre, and to offer their seruice to Christ: and others are forced to