A discourse about the state of true happiness delivered in certain sermons in Oxford,…A discourse about the state of true happinesse deliuered in certaine sermons in Oxford,…

The fifth reason whereby the formal hypocrite doth falsely §Vpersuade himself to be truly happy, and so by consequent that keeps him short of the state of grace, may be this: When by some good motion of Gods spirit stirred up in him by the preaching of the word, he begins to set and address himself to a sanctified use and exercise of religion, and to a faithful and constant course of true holiness indeed; he presently meets with a sore and strong opposition by his own inward corruptions, by temptations of Satan, and vexation from the world; which he perceiving, and being very sensible of such sudden disturbance from his former security, persuades himself, that the passage to grace is not so rough and boisterous, ⟨p. 60⟩and therefore retires and reposeth himself upon his formal Christianity, as the best state he sees any possibility of attaining unto. But if he will save his soul, he must acknowledge and feel by his own experience the truth of that saying of Isai. 59.15, He that refraineth from evil, maketh himself a pray. For what child of God is there truly converted, who at the very first step out of the world, and the vanities thereof, met not with many crosses and discouragements? He knows, and may remember full well whosoever he be, how his own flesh fretted when it felt it self snaffled and guided by the Law of the spirit; how by making conscience of sin he laid himself more open to the advantages, wrongs and insultations of his enemies; how the companions of his former lewdness and iniquity railed and raged against him, as against an Apostate from goodfellowship and high resolution. And Satan, that he may give edge and vigour to all these vexations, he busily bestirs himself, and casts about to hinder our conversion. While a prisoner lies in a dungeon fast in fetters, the Jailer is quiet and secure; but if he once knock off his bolts, break the prison and escape, there is presently a tumultuous clamour in the house, the Country is raised, and he is followed with Hue and Cry: Even so while we lie quietly in the captivity of sin, under the chains of eternal death, he neither disquiets himself nor us: But if by the mercies of God we be once enlarged, and set foot into the liberty and light of grace;

The fifth reason whereby the formal hypocrite doth falsly §V