Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…

I answer,¹ that it is far from my meaning to raise the least discouragement to any; in whom, if I knew but the smallest desire to be reconciled to God, I would be most ready to cherish and to strengthen the same:² and he that exerciseth himself in reading, hearing, prayer, God persuade him ten fold more, if he desire to profit thereby: neither do I doubt,³ but that such shall see in time to their great comfort, that it is not in vain to wait patiently on the Lord, for a blessing upon his own ordinance. But this I say, when men either think, that they do as much as they need, while they join themselves to the exercises of religion, and rest contented therein, and see not that they are enemies to God, under his curse, and without faith, and therefore without God §Bin the world, and see not their wants and emptiness of grace, how they are fraught with many sins uncontrolled, and strong rebellions not restrained; let not such look to glory in their means using: their rejoicing is not good, their estate is woeful, and that in no mean degree. They may be said unto, as they of Laodicea were in the Revelation by the holy Ghost:⁴ Thou sayest thou art rich and needest nothing, and knowest not, that thou art miserable and blind, and poor, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, and eyesalve?

I answere,¹ that it is farre from my meaning to raise the least discouragement to any; in whom, if I knew but the smallest desire to be reconciled to God, I would be most readie to cherish and to strengthen the same:² and he that exerciseth himselfe in reading, hearing, prayer, God perswade him ten fold more, if he desire to profit thereby: neither doe I doubt,³