The Soul's Preparation for Christ

First, the heart is most of all weary of the burden of sin, as it is sin, and thinks it the greatest burden in the world: as a man that hath a great burden on his back wrencheth this way and that way, and if he cannot remove it, yet he will ease it; so the heart useth all means, and taketh all courses, that if it were possible, it may cast off and ease it self of the vileness of sin & plague of sin. This wearisomeness of the soul, which followeth the weight of sin, makes it self known in these three particulars.

First, the heart is most of all weary of the burthen of sinne, as it is sinne, and thinkes it the greatest burthen in the world: as a man that hath a great burthen on his backe wrincheth this way and that way, and if he cannot remove it, yet he will ease it; so the heart useth all meanes, and taketh all courses, that if it were possible, it may cast off and ease it selfe of the vilenesse of sinne & plague of sinne. This wearisomnesse of the soule, which followeth the weight of sinne, makes it self knowne in these three particulars.

First, his eye is ever upon it, his mouth is ever speaking of it, and he is always complaining against it, and he is readily content to take shame to himself for it. If a man have a sore place in his body, his eye, and his finger will ever be upon it: so it is with the soul; As the people when they apprehended the hideous wrath of God against them, they entreated Samuel to pray for them,¹ for (say they) We have added to all our sins this specially, in asking of us a King.

First, his eye is ever upon it, his mouth is ever speaking of it, and he is alwaies complaining against it, and he is readily content to take shame to himselfe for it. If a man have a sore place in his body, his eye, and his finger will ever be upon it: so it is with the soule; As the people when they apprehended the hideous wrath of God against them, they entreated Samuel to pray for them,