The Soul's Conflict with Itself

1. When the troubled party, deals not directly, but doubleth with him that is to help him. Some are ashamed to ¹acknowledge the true ground of their grievance, pretending sorrow for one ⟨p. 239⟩thing, when their hearts tell them it ariseth from another; Like the Lapwings which make greatest noise furthest from their nest, because they would not have it discovered: This deceit moved our blessed Saviour (who knew what was in the harts of men,) to fit his answers many times, rather to the man then to the matter.

1. When the troubled party, deales not directly, but doubleth with him that is to helpe him. Some are ashamed to ¹acknowledge the true ground of their grievance, pretending sorrow for one ⟨p. 239⟩thing, when their hearts tell them it ariseth from another; Like the Lap•ings which make greatest noise furthest from their neast, because they would not have it discovered: This deceit moved our blessed Saviour (who knew what was in the harts of men,) to fit his answeres many times, rather to the man then to the matter.

1. 11.

2. Some rely too much upon particular men, Oh if they had such a one they should do well, and mislike others, (fitter perhaps to deal with them, as having more thorough knowledge of their estates,) because they would have their disease rather covered then cured; or if cured, yet with soft words, whereas no plaster worketh better then that which causes smart. Some out of mere humorous fondness must have that which can hardly be got, or else nothing pleases them: David must needs have the waters of Bethlehem when others were nearer hand: And oftentimes