I have been weak in faith, slow in hope, cold in charity, unpatient in tribulation, and more stiff in retaining other mens offences against me, then ready to pardon them, what more shall I say, my God? Also many other sins which I cannot express, which being even at this day hidden from me in my infirmities do overwhelm my soul, were ⟨image 184⟩it not for the repentance that thou grantest me, and the trust that I have in thy mercy, through the righteousness of my Saviour Jesus Christ, which it pleaseth thee in thy Fatherly love to make mine; I see nothing but matter of despair. His sacrifice giveth me peace with thee: his blood cleanseth me: his obedience absolveth me: his wounds do cure me: In his torments my soul findeth her rest: for of all these benefits do I ⟨image 184⟩feel thy promise sealed in my heart by thy spirit, which maketh me to cry unto thee (Abba Father) and assureth me, that thou wilt of thy free mercy, in the name of thy Son, and for his sake, give me remission of my sins, and eternal life, being illuminated; therefore, by this celestial light, I do with the eyes of my mind behold the ship that shall carry me over from earth to heaven, no farther off from the presence of my ⟨image 185⟩Redeemer, then was that of his Disciples, when they rowed against the tempest, to whom he said (fear not, for it is I.) For in like manner cometh he to meet me, to say unto me; Fear not, assure thy self, be constant; It is I, not the death which thou mayest peradventure fear, but he that hath broken the sting thereof, that hath led it in triumph, that hath broken the bars and bonds even in hell; and who ⟨image 185⟩therefore doeth make thee to ascend from the grave into the Palace of my glory.
I haue beene weake in faith, slow in hope, cold in charitie, vnpatient in tribulation, and more stiffe in retaining other mens offences against mee, then ready to pardon them, what more shal I say, my God? Also many other sins which I cannot expresse, which being euen at this day hidden from mee in my infirmities doe ouerwhelme my soule, were ⟨image 184⟩it not for the repentance that thou grauntest mee, and the trust that I haue in thy mercy, through the righteousnesse of my Sauiour Iesus Christ, which it pleaseth thee in thy Fatherly loue to make mine; I see nothing but matter of dispaire. His sacrifice giueth mee peace with thee: his blod cleanseth me: his obedience absolueth me: his woundes doe cure mee: In his torments my soule findeth her rest: for of all these benefites doe I ⟨image 184⟩feele thy promise sealed in my heart by thy spirit, which maketh me to crie vnto thee (Abba Father) and assureth me, that thou wilt of thy free mercy, in the name of thy Sonne, and for his sake, giue mee remission of my sinnes, and eternal life, being illuminated; therefore, by this celestiall light, I doe with the eies of my mind behold the ship that shall carry me ouer from earth to heauen, no farther off from the presence of my ⟨image 185⟩Redeemer, then was that of his Disciples, when they rowed against the tempest, to whom he said (feare not, for it is I.) For in like maner commeth hee to meete mee, to say vnto me; Feare not, assure thy selfe, be constant; It is I, not the death which thou maist peraduenture feare, but hee that hath broken the sting thereof, that hath led it in triumph, that hath broken the barres and bonds euen in hell; and who ⟨image 185⟩therefore doeth make thee to ascend from the graue into the Pallace of my glorie.
