The Soul's Preparation for Christ

Fourthly, the soul hath a strange inward resolution of •leaving to sin, whatsoever can be said or done to the contrary. And this inward resolution of the soul hath a delight in corruptions, though he die, and be damned for the same; this plucketh the heart from the word, and layeth so many mists upon the understanding, that it cannot see the truth; when the soul hath nothing to say for it self, it falls to open and profest reviling of Jesus Christ, and defying of him; and hence it is, that after many good arguments the soul stands as it were at a set; and saith, I will not believe it, though there were five thousand Ministers to persuade me to it; and why doth ⟨p. 45⟩he so? hath he any argument to allege? No, not a word, but he that is proud will be proud, and he that is a swearer will swear, and will not make conscience of any thing; this comes from a proud and a sturdy heart. When Jeremiah would have convinced the people of their sins and of the punishments threatened to them, they said,¹ Thou speakest falsely, there is no such matter: So it is with many a carnal heart now a days; if the minister of God will not please their phantasies, then all the business is, they knew all this before: when as indeed they knew nothing at all.² Therefore saith God, Take heed there be not in any of you a root of bitterness; if the soul heareth the law and blesseth himself in his wickedness, and saith, I shall have peace though I walk after the imaginations of my own heart; the Lord will not spare that man: but the Jealousy of the Lord shall smoke against him; this root of bitterness is nothing else but sin, and a resolution to continue in it; For the Lord Jesus sake consider this; there are too many of these in the Congregation; wilt thou not believe Gods word, I tell thee thou deniest almost that there is a God, and thou renouncest the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation by him; thou sayest in effect, there is no God, and that there is not any means of grace revealed; What devilish blasphemy is this? Let me speak to the terror of all such hearts, hell never entertained any such thoughts, the devils in hell for ought I know, have not any such profest resolutions, the devils believe and tremble; the devils believe that the ⟨p. 46⟩