And there is good reason for it, for man is an understanding creature, and 1hath a rule given him to live by, and therefore is to be countable of every thought, word, action, passion. Therefore the first way to quiet the soul, is, to 2ask a reason of the tumult raised, and then many of our distempers for shame will not appear, because (though they rage in silent darkness) yet they can say nothing for themselves, being summoned before strength of judgement and reason. Which is the reason why passionate men are loath that any court should be kept within them; but labour to stop judgement all they can. If men would but give themselves leave to 3consider better of it, they would never yield to such unreasonable motions of the soul: If they could but gain so much of their unruly passions, as to reason the matter within themselves, to hear what their consciences can tell them in secret, there would not be such offensive breakings out. And therefore, if we be ashamed to hear others ⟨p. 54⟩upbraiding us, let us for shame hear our selves; And if no reason can be given, what an unreasonable thing is it for a man endowed with reason to contrary his own principles? and to be carried as a beast without reason; or if there be 4any reason to be given, then, this is the way to scan it, see whether it will hold water or not. We shall find some reasons (if they may be so called) to be so corrupt and foul, that (if the judgement be not corrupted by them) they dare not be brought to light, but always appear under some colour and pretext, for sin (like the devil) is afraid to appear in its own likeness, and men seek out fair glosses, for foul intentions. The hidden secret reason is one, the open is another: the heart being corrupt sets the wit a work, to 5satisfy corrupt will; such kind of men are afraid of their own consciences (as Ahab of Michaiah) because they fear it would deal truly with them: and therefore they take either present order for their consciences, or else (as Felix put off Paul) they adjourn the ⟨p. 55⟩6court for another time. Such men are strangers at home, afraid of nothing more then of themselves, and therefore in a fearful condition, because they are reserved for the judgement of the great day, if God doth not before that set upon them in this world.
And there is good reason for it, for man is an understanding creature, and 1hath a rule given him to live by, and therefore is to be countable of every thought, word, action, passion. Therefore the first way to quiet the soule, is, to 2aske a reason of the tumult raised, and then many of our distempers for shame will not appeare, because (though they rage in silent darknesse) yet they can say nothing for themselves, being summoned before strength of judgement and reason. Which is the reason why passionate men are loath that any court should be kept within them; but labour to stop judgement all they can. If men would but give themselves leave to 3consider better of it, they would never yeeld to such unreasonable motions of the soule: If they could but gaine so much of their unruly passions, as to reason the matter within themselves, to heare what their consciences can tell them in secret, there would not be such offensive breakings out. And therefore, if we be ashamed to heare others ⟨p. 54⟩upbraidingus, let us for shame heare our selves; And if no reason can be given, what an unreasonable thing is it for a man endowed with reason to contrary his owne principles? and to be caried as a beast without reason; or if there be 4any reason to be given, then, this is the way to scanne it, see whether it will hold water or not. We shall finde some reasons (if they may be so called) to be so corrupt and foule, that (if the judgement be not corrupted by them) they dare not bee brought to light, but alwaies appeare under some colour and pretext, for sin (like the devill) is affraid to appeare in its owne likenesse, and men seek out faire glosses, for foule intentions. The hidden secret reason is one, the open is another: the heart being corrupt sets the wit a worke, to 5satisfie corrupt will; such kinde of men are afraid of their owne consciences (as Ahab of Michaiah) because they feare it would deale truly with them: and therefore they take either present order for their consciences, or else (as Felix put off Paul) they adjorne the ⟨p. 55⟩6court for another time. Such men are strangers at home, afraid of nothing more then of themselves, and therefore in a fearefull condition, because they are reserved for the judgement of the great day, if God doth not before that set upon them in this world.
- 1Reason
- 2Distempers fall down, when they are arraigned before Reason.Distempers fall downe, when they are arraigned before Reason.
- 3Want of consideration, raises and maintains our distempersWant of consideration, raises and maintaines our distempers
- 4In discouragement, we cross our own principles.In discouragement, we crosse our own principles.
- 5Corruption of the heart sets the wit a work. 1 King. 22Corruption of the heart sets the wit a worke. 1 King. 22
- 6Acts 24. 25
