The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Secondly, I doubt not but in some particular sins, some civill men have a greater command over themselves, then many truly religious; David was given over of God by fall to bloody adultery, wherein I doubt not, but many thousands of civill men might plead themselves not guilty; yet no question to be made but that, the •ne was the child of God, the other in the snare of the devil held captive to do his will: for the affection of sinful anger, many of Gods children are more apt to offend by it, the temper of their natural disposition inclining that way, then many civill men in whom there is no work of regeneration; and all this no disparagement to Gods children, since the Lord doth out of these infirmities in his wisdom, make a sweet confection that purgeth pride out of their hearts, makes them more watchful, more diligent in prayer, hearing, […] •tion.

Secondly, I doubt not but in some particular sinnes, some civill men have a greater command over themselves, then many truely religious; David was given over of God by fall to bloudy adultery, wherein I doubt not, but many thousands of civill men might plead themselves not guilty; yet no question to be made but that, the •ne was the childe of God, the other in the snare of the divell held captive to doe his will: for the affection of sinfull anger, many of Gods children are more apt to offend by it, the temper of their naturall disposition enclining that way, then many civill men in whom there is no worke of regeneration; and all this no disparagement to Gods children, since the Lord doth out of these infirmities in his wisedome, make a sweet confection that purgeth pride out of their hearts, makes them more watchfull, more diligent in prayer, hearing, 〈…〉 •tion.

Thirdly, it is often the fault of the world, who bury many good things in the children of God, those that be professors, if but one sin (it may be which the Lord hath left in them to humble them) shall appear in their conversation, the unthankful and censorious world continually eyes and speaks of it, never mentioning the many good things that be in them: on the contrary, if a civill man have many evils, live in some grosser sins, yet if he have by virtue of a common gift of the spirit, some one commendable property, that one shall cure and commend all his other deformities. No marvel then if professors of religion, being