Put case therefore we be very weak, yet so long as we are not found amongst malicious opposers, and underminers of ⟨p. 153⟩GODS truth, let us not give way to despairing thoughts, we have a merciful Saviour. But lest we flatter our selves without ground, we must know that weaknesses are accounted 1either 1. imperfections cleaving to our best actions, or 2. such actions, as proceed from want of age in CHRIST, whilst we are Babes; or 3. from want of strength, where there hath been little means, or 4. they are sudden indeliberate breakings out, contrary to our general bent and purpose, whilst our judgement is overcast with the cloud of a sudden ⟨p. 154⟩temptation. After which, 1 we are sensible of our infirmity, 2 we grieve or it, 3, and from grief complain, and with complaining strive, and labour to reform, and in labouring get some ground of our corruption. There be some (almost) invincible infirmities, as forgetfulness, 2heaviness of spirit, sudden passions, fears, &c. which though natural, yet are for the most part tainted with sin, of these we are weary, and would fain shake them off, as a Sick man his Ague; otherwise it is not to be esteemed weakness, so much ⟨p. 155⟩as wilfulness, and the more will, the more sin: and little sins when God shall awake the conscience, and set them in order before us, will prove great burdens, and not only bruise a Reed, but shake a Cedar. Yet GODS children never sin with full will, because there is a contrary Law of the mind, whereby the Dominion of sin is broken, which always hath some secret working against the Law of sin. Yet there may be so much will in a sinful action, as may wonderfully waste our comfort afterward, and keep ⟨p. 156⟩us long upon the rack of a disquieted Conscience, GOD in his fatherly dispensation suspending the sense of his love. So much as we give way to our wills in sinning, in such a measure of distance we set our selves from comfort. Sin against conscience is as a thief in the Candle, which wasteth our joy, and thereby weakeneth our strength. We must know therefore, that wilful breaches in Sanctification, will much hinder the sense of our Justification.
Put case therefore wee bee very weake, yet so long as wee are not found amongst malicious opposers, and underminers of ⟨p. 153⟩GODS truth, let us not give way to despairing thoughts, wee have a mercifull Saviour. But lest we flatter our selves without groūd, we must know that weaknesses are accounted 1either 1. imperfections cleaving to our best actions, or 2. such actions, as proceed from want of age in CHRIST, whilest we are Babes; or 3. from wāt of strength, where there hath beene little meanes, or 4. they are sudden indeliberate breakings out, contrary to our generall bent and purpose, whilest our judgement is overcast with the cloud of a sudden ⟨p. 154⟩temptation. After which, 1 we are sensible of our infirmity, 2 we grieve or it, 3, and from griefe complaine, and with complaining strive, and labour to reforme, and in labouring get some ground of our corruption. There be some (almost) invincible infirmities, as forgetfulnesse, 2heavinesse of spirit, sudden passiōs, feares, &c. which though naturall, yet are for the most part tainted with sinne, of these we are weary, and would faine shake them off, as a Sickman his Ague; otherwise it is not to bee esteemed weaknesse, so much ⟨p. 155⟩as wilfulnesse, and the more will, the more sinne: and little sins when God shall awake the conscience, and set them in order before us, will prove great burthens, and not onely bruise a Reed, but shake a Cedar. Yet GODS children never sinne with full will, because there is a contrary Law of the minde, whereby the Dominion of sinne is broken, which alwaies hath some secret working against the Law of sinne. Yet there may bee so much will in a sinfull action, as may wonderfully waste our comfort afterward, and keepe ⟨p. 156⟩us long upon the racke of a disquieted Conscience, GOD in his fatherly dispensation suspending the sense of his love. So much as we give way to our wils in sinning, in such a measure of distance we set our selves from comfort. Sin against conscience is as a theefe in the Candle, which wasteth our joy, and thereby weakneth our strength. We must know therefore, that wilfull breaches in Sanctificatiō, wil much hinder the sense of our Iustification.
- 1Weaknesses what?
- 2A necessitatibus meis libera me Domain. Aug.A necessitatibus meis libera me Domaine. Aug.
