A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

And as to the length of Gods sorrow, some thinks that the pangs of the new birth must be a long continued state, whereas we read in the Scripture, that by the penitent sinners, the Gospel was still received speedily with joy, as being the gift of Christ, and pardon, and everlasting life; humility and self-loathing must continue and increase, but our first great sorrows may be swallowed up with holy thankfulness and joy.

And as for hardness of heart, in Scripture it is taken for such a stiff rebellious obstinacy, as will not be moved from their sins to obedience, by any of Gods commands or threats, and is called oft an Iron sinew, a stiff neck, &c, but its never taken from the mere want of tears or passionate sorrow in a man that is willing to obey; the hard hearted are the rebellious; sorrow even for sin may be overmuch, and a passionate woman or man may easily grieve and weep for the sin which they will not leave, but obedience cannot be too much.

And as for hardness of heart, in Scripture it is taken for such a stiff rebellious obstinacy, as will not be moved from their sins to obedience, by any of Gods commands or threats, and is called oft an Iron sinew, a stiff neck, &c, but its never taken from the meer want of tears or passionate sorrow in a man that is willing to obey; the hard hearted are the rebellious; sorrow even for sin may be overmuch, and a passionate woman or man may easily grieve and weep for the sin which they will not leave, but obedience cannot be too much.

3. And abundance are cast down by ignorance of themselves, not knowing the sincerity which God hath given them, grace is weak in the best of us here, and little and weak grace is not very easily perceived, for it acteth weakly and unconstantly, and it is known but by its acts, and weak grace is always joined with too strong corruption; and all sin in heart and life is contrary to grace, and doth obscure it; and such persons usually have too little knowledge, and are too strange at home, and unskilful in examining and watching their hearts, and keeping its accounts: And how can any under all these hinderances, yet keep any full assurance of their own sincerity; if with much ado they get some assurances, neglect of duty or coldness in it, or yielding to temptation, or unconstancy in close obedience, will make them question all again, and ready to say it was all but hypocrisy, and a sad and melancholy frame of mind is always apt to conclude the worse, and hardly brought to see any thing that is good and tends to comfort.