A Golden Chain

The second fruit of his conversion is, that he condemneth himself and his fellow for their sins, saying, Indeed we are righteously here, for we receive things worthy for that we have done, that is, we have wonderfully sinned against Gods majesty, and against our brethren: and therefore this grievous punishment which we bear, is most just and due unto us. This fruit of repentance springs and grows very thin among us, for few there be which do seriously condemn themselves for their own sins: the manner of men is to condemn others, and to cry out that the world was never so bad, but bring them home to themselves, and you shall find that they have many excuses and defences as plaster-work to cast over their foul and filthy sins: and if they be urged to speak against themselves, the worst will be thus; God help us, we are all sinners, even the best of us. But certain it is, that he which is thoroughly touched in conscience for his sins, both can and will speak more against himself for his manifold offences, then all the world besides. Thus Paul when he was converted,¹ calls himself the chief of all sinners. And the prodigal child confessed that he had sinned against heaven and against his father, and was not worthy to be called his child.

The second fruit of his conuersion is, that he condemneth himselfe and his fellow for their sinnes, saying, Indeede we are righteously here, for we receiue things worthie for that we haue done, that is, we haue wonderfully sinned against Gods maiestie, and against our brethren: and therefore this grieuous punishment which we beare, is most iust and due vnto vs. This fruit of repentance springs and growes very thinne among vs, for fewe there be which doe seriously condemne themselues for their owne sinnes: the manner of men is to condemne others, and to crie out that the world was neuer so bad, but bring them home to themselues, and you shall find that they haue many excuses and defences as plaister-worke to cast ouer their foule and filthie sinnes: and if they be vrged to speake against themselues, the worst will be thus; God helpe vs, we are all sinners, euen the best of vs. But certen it is, that he which is thoroughly touched in conscience for his sinnes, both can and will speake more against himselfe for his manifold offences, then all the world besides. Thus Paul when he was conuerted,¹ calls himselfe the chiefe of all sinners. And the prodigall childe confessed that he had sinned against heauen and against his father, and was not worthie to be called his child.