But it is the best for our selves, it perfects us above all other; take all other actions that 1go directly forward, they perfect somewhat that is out of a man, but they perfect not the heart of a man. If it be in teaching others, in ⟨p. 80⟩it is the perfection of the Scholar, other actions of wealth, of honour, of learning, or any thing of this nature, they perfect the thing upon which they are pitched, but now this action, by which the heart returns upon it self, this reflect action is that which perfects a mans soul, it makes him a better man, it builds him up in grace and in truth; when a man looks in, and returns upon himself, he makes up the breaches of his heart, if there be any thing amiss there, he rectifies it: therefore it is an action that we should easily assent unto, and agree to the exhortation of the Apostle. Therefore to conclude this point, let 2us be exhorted, to consider what we do, the failing in this is the cause of so many errors in our lives, the cause of so many ill spent 3hours, of so many vain speeches, of so many gross sins committed, all for want of consideration. If the swearer would well consider what that is, when the Lord saith, I will not hold him guiltless that taketh my Name in vain, he would not be so ready to swear as he is. If the adulterer would consider what God saith, Heb. 13. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge, he would not so easily continue in that sin: so you may run through other particulars, therefore this consideration is necessary in things that belong to salvation. It is not so in other things, in other things the notion passeth soon from ⟨p. 81⟩the mind to the rest of the faculties, as soon as the light, it is no sooner kindled but presently it is executed; but in matters that belong to godliness, there may be a spark, and it will go out again in the heart, as green wood putteth out the fire; in that 4case there must be pains taken, because of the stubbornness in the faculties of the mind to obey the light, which is dictated to the conscience: Therefore we must do in this case, as we do with stubborn servants, they 5must be bidden do a thing again, they must be forced unto it. If the under-faculties were as ready to obey the mind in spiritual things as in other things, it were another case.
But it is the best for our selues, it perfects vs aboue all other; take all other actions that 1goe directly forward, they perfect somewhat that is out of a man, but they perfect not the heart of a man. If it be in teaching others, in ⟨p. 80⟩it is the perfection of the Scholler, other actions of wealth, of honour, of learning, or any thing of this nature, they perfect the thing vpon which they are pitched, but now this action, by which the heart returnes vpon it selfe, this reflect action is that which perfects a mans soule, it makes him a better man, it builds him vp in grace and in truth; when a man lookes in, and returnes vpon himselfe, he makes vp the breaches of his heart, if there be any thing amisse there, he rectifies it: therefore it is an action that we should easily assent vnto, and agree to the exhortation of the Apostle. Therefore to conclude this point, let 2vs be exhorted, to consider what we doe, the failing in this is the cause of so many errours in our liues, the cause of so many ill spent 3houres, of so many vaine speeches, of so many grosse sinnes committed, all for want of consideration. If the swearer would well consider what that is, when the Lord saith, I will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh my Name in vaine, hee would not be so ready to sweare as he is. If the adulterer would consider what God saith, Heb. 13. Whoremongers and adulterers God will iudge, hee would not so easily continue in that sinne: so you may runne thorow other particulars, therefore this consideration is necessary in things that belong to saluation. It is not so in other things, in other things the notion passeth soone from ⟨p. 81⟩the minde to the rest of the saculties, as soone as the light, it is no sooner kindled but present'y it is executed; but in matters that belong to godlinesse, there may bee a sparke, and it will goe out againe in the heart, as greene wood putteth out the fire; in that 4case there must bee paines taken, because of the stubbornnesse in the faculties of the minde to obey the light, which is dictated to the conscience: Therefore wee must doe in this case, as we doe with stubborne seruants, they 5
- 12 It perfects the soul.2 It perfects the soule.
- 2Use.Vse.
- 3Inconsideration, the cause of errors in our lives.Inconsideration, the cause of errors in our liues.
- 4Simile.
- 5Simile.
