The Soul's Preparation for Christ

Answ. For answer, I say, no man is saved by nature, but if any be saved, the Lord opens his eyes, and breaks his heart, and so it must be with thee too, if ever thou thinkest to receive any mercy from God.

Answ. For answer, I say, no man is saved by nature, but if any be saved, the Lord opens his eyes, and breakes his heart, and so it must be with thee too, if ever thou thinkest to receive any mercy from God.

Secondly, there is also a naturalness in a sinful course, and they say, it is my nature and infirmity, and I am of a choleric disposition, I shall sometimes swear, when I am angry; and I cannot but be drunk sometimes, when I light into good company. Quest. What, would you have of us Saints on earth? Answ. I, either Saints or Devils, never sanctified, never saved; never purged, never glorified,¹ as the Apostle Saint John saith, He that hath this hope purgeth himself, as he is pure, he striveth with his whole endeavour to be pure, and ⟨p. 42⟩always he hath a respect to all Gods commandments; And as the author to the Hebrews saith, pursue faith and holiness, ²without which no man can be saved.

Secondly, there is also a naturalnesse in a sinfull course, and they say, it is my nature and infirmity, and I am of a cholericke disposition, I shall sometimes sweare, when I am angry; and I cannot but be drunke sometimes, when I light into good company. Quest. What, would you have of us Saints on earth? Answ. I, either Saints or Devills, never sanctified, never saved; never p•rged, never glorified,¹