The oil of gladnessThe oyle of gladnesse

Yea but I want that last part of repentance, and that which is the perfection of all, I do not amend, I do not amend, but J still slip into the same sins, and cannot leave them. Why tell me what sins be they that thou canst not leave, Is it murder, blasphemy, whoredom, &c. O no, but I find deadness, dullness, coldness in prayer, distractedness and forgetfulness in hearing, passionateness, impatience, and a number ⟨p. 163⟩like faults, still breaking forth in me. J answer, what dost thou make of God and of his mercy, when thou concludest from hence that thy sins be not pardoned? Is not he ready to pass by such weaknesses in his children and servants, as thou canst easily pass by in thine. Doth not he call himself a Father, doth not he tell us that he knows that we be but dust. Doth not the Scripture say,¹ In many things we offend all, and who can say his heart is clean? ²Sure if this ⟨p. 164⟩were a good argument that ones sins were not pardoned, no sins were pardoned to any sinner. For find me a man or woman under heaven, that hath not cause to complain thus. Assure thy self therefore that these continual weaknesses are not contrary to remission of sins. Sanctification must be true, else the soul is not justified, but it is not needful, nay nor in this life possible that it should be perfect. And it is true, so long as thou continuest to confess and lament, ⟨p. 165⟩