A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. 7 That they differ in their properties.

Fourthly, they differ in their properties; for the carnal security of Worldlings is unsensible, and in the middest of their deep sleep and dangerous Lethargy, they suppose themselves waking in their perfect health, and so complete in respect of their spiritual estate, that they need nothing, as being highly in Gods favour, strong in Faith, rich in all Grace, and most assured of eternal salvation. But the security of the faithful is discerned by them, and no sickness vexeth them more, then the stone in their hearts; so that they are never at ease till they have voided it. To which purpose they use carefully all ⟨p. 31⟩the good medicines prescribed in Gods Word, for the effecting of the Cure; and flee daily to the heavenly Physician, by their frequent and fervent Prayers, for his counsel, direction and assistance in this behalf. And when they feel themselves eased by these means in part, they so rejoice in the Cure begun, as that withal they cease not to bewail the dregs and relics of their disease, which they feel still remaining in them. Secondly, the security of the unregenerate is voluntary and affected, because through it they quietly live in the pleasures of sin without any disturbance. In which regard they nourish their sloth, and use all means both to fall into it, and to continue in it without molestation. They compose themselves with a settled purpose to take their carnal ease, they make choice of such places and company, where they may not be disturbed with any noise, either of Gods Word in the public Ministry, or of the admonitions and rebukes of private Friends. They put out all light, both the outward light of the Word, and the inward light of Nature and Conscience; and if these disquiet them by giving some glimpses into their darkened minds, whether they will or no, they wilfully shut their eyes, and even blind-fold themselves by the interposition of worldly vanities, that they may not see them. They lay them down to rest, and make unto themselves soft Pillows and Beds of down, that they may sleep at ease. Yea, that they may sleep the more soundly, they cast themselves into the cradle or lap of prosperity, and desire to be rocked and sung asleep with the bewitching tunes of carnal pleasures. And so from a sound sleep they fall into a deep Lethargy, out of which they have neither will nor power to be awakened;