1The first use is for reproof, and it checks the desperate discouragement that harbours in the hearts of many poor sinners, that if they find ⟨p. 7⟩no power in themselves, no succour in the means; they do question in this case, and presently conclude an impossibility to receive mercy, and they think there is no hope, of pardon, as heretofore they have had no care in sinning; because they cannot see how it may be, they suppose it cannot be: This bringeth a great indignity to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a great discouragement to themselves: why? the Lord hath hardness, and difficulties at command.2 When the siege about Jerusalem was marvellous sore, and every man did despair of any comfort or succour, the Prophet said, before to morrow this time shall a measure of fine flower be sold for a shekel, and then a Lord on whose hand the King leaned, said, If the Lord should make windows in heaven, how can this thing be? and the Prophet said unto him, thou shalt see it, but not eat of it, so it is with many that beg often, and the Lord answereth not, so that the soul is marvellously starved, and the flood of iniquity comes in amain upon the soul, and all his sins come to his view, and the heart begins to reason in this manner; If the depths of Gods mercies should be opened, can all these sins be pardoned? and can this damned soul of mine be saved? Surely this cannot be. It is just with God we should seek mercy, given to others as bad as we, and yet we not taste of it, because we distrust the Lord. Cains sin was so much the greater, because he said it could not be forgiven: so it is a horrible sin to say, the Lord is not so merciful, as the Devil is malicious, and that the ⟨p. 8⟩world, and a sinful heart, […] able to damn me then God is to save me; if […] so, God were no God, and Christ no […], and the Spirit no comforter, this is a […] sin, our selves, and the devil above God & the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh therefore check all those discouragements of soul which too much prevail with us.
1The first use is for reproofe, and it checks the desperate discouragement that harbours in the hearts of many poore sinners, that if they finde ⟨p. 7⟩no power in thēselves, no succour in the meanes; they doe question in this case, and presently conclude an impossibilitie to receive mercy, and they thinke there is no hope, of pardon, as heretofore they have had no care in sinning; because they cannot see how it may be, they suppose it cannot be: This bringeth a great indignity to the Lord Jesus Christ, and a great discouragement to themselves: why? the Lord hath hardnesse, and difficulties at command.2 When the seige about Jerusalem was marvellous sore, and every man did despaire of any comfort or succour, the Prophet said, before to morrow this time shall a measure of fine flower be sould for a shekle, and then a Lord on whose hand the King leaned, said, If the Lord should make windowes in heaven, how can this thing be? and the Prophet said unto him, thou shalt see it, but not eat of it, so it is with many that begge often, and the Lord answereth not, so that the soule is marvellously starved, and the flood of iniquitie comes in amaine upon the soule, and all his sinnes come to his view, and the heart beginnes to reason in this manner; If the depths of Gods mercies should be opened, can all these sins be pardoned? and can this damned soule of mine be saved? Surely this cannot be. It is just with God wee should seeke mercy, given to others as bad as wee, and yet wee not taste of it, because wee distrust the Lord. Cains sin was so much the greater, because hee said it could not be forgiven: so it is a horrible sinne to say, the Lord is not so mercifull, as the Devill is malitious, and that the ⟨p. 8⟩world, and a sinfull heart, 〈…〉 able to damne me then God is to save me; if 〈…〉 so, God were no God, and Christ no 〈…〉, and the Spirit no comforter, this is a 〈…〉 sin, our selves, and the devill above God & the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh therefore check all those discouragements of soule which too much prevaile with us.
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