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

§. 1 The first sign, not to profit by afflictions. First, on others.

§. 1 The first signe, not to profit by afflictions. First, on others.

And these are the signs of carnal security, arising from the causes of it. Other signs there are which arise from the effects, and some other Arguments. As first, it is a sign of a secure and hard heart, when as we do not profit in Gods fear and obedience by afflictions, and Gods judgments and punishments inflicted, either upon other men or our selves. Upon others; for every wise Man is made more wary and watchful by other mens harms. If we see another man fall that goeth before us; when we come to the same place, we do more carefully look to our footing. If our Neighbours house be on fire, we make it our own case, and labour all we can to avoid the like mischief. When Malefactors are severely punished, those that be guilty of the same crimes, if they have any grace in them, do take warning; and are moved thereby to desist from those wicked courses, which bring unto the Offenders such shame of smart. On the other side, we account him a most foolish, reckless and secure person, who taketh no warning by other mens evils. We think him a careless child, who ⟨p. 41⟩seeing his brother dis-inherited for his vain, loose and riotous courses, doth tread in the same steps, and yet promise unto himself to succeed his Father in all his possessions. And we esteem him a desperate Malefactor, who seeing his Fellow executed for felony, doth at the same time cut purses. But yet much more secure and desperate is he to be accounted, who goeth on in his sins against God, when he seeth his fearful Judgements executed upon others for the like wickedness. For whereas one Malefactor may escape the hands of the Judge, when ¹