Directions and persuasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…Directions and perswasions to a sound conversion for prevention of that deceit and damnation…

4. In the next place, you are hence informed, how to answer that Question, Whether it be possible for a man to be humbled, and repent too much. That part of Humiliation, which consisteth in the acts of the Uuderstanding and the Will, cannot be too much as to the Intention of the ⟨p. 161⟩Act; And if it be too much as to the Objective extent, then as it is misguided, so it changeth its Nature, and ceaseth to be the thing that it was before. A man may think worse of himself then he is, by thinking falsely of himself, as that he is guilty of the sin which he is not guilty of: But this is not the same thing with true Humiliation. But to have too clear an apprehension of the evil of his sin, and his own vileness; this he need not fear. And in the will it is more clear: No man can be too willing to be rid of sin, in Gods time and way; nor be too much averse from it, as it is against the Lord. But then the other part of Humiliation, which consisteth in the depth of sorrow, or in tears, may possibly be too much. Though I know very few that are guilty of it, or need to fear it; because the common case of the world, is to be stupid, and hard-hearted; and most of the Godly are lamentably insensible. But yet some few there are, that have need of this advise, that they strive not for too great a measure of grief. Let your hearts be against sin as much as is possible: But yet let there be some limits in your grief and tears. And this ⟨p. 162⟩counsel is necessary to these sorts of people. 1. To Melancholy people, that are in danger of being distracted, and made unreasonable, and useless by overmuch sorrow. Their thoughts will be fixing, and musing, and sad, and dark, and full of fears, and either make things worse then they are, or else be deeplyer affected with them then their heads can bear. 2. And this is the Case of some weak spirited women, that are not Melancholy; but yet by natural weakness of their brains, and strength of their passions, are unable to endure those serious deep affecting apprehensions, which others may desire; but the depth of their sensibility, and greatness of their passion, doth presently endanger the crazing of their brains, and quickly cast them into Melancholy, or worse.

4. In the next place, you are hence informed, how to answer that Question, Whether it be possible for a man to be humbled, and repent too much. That part of Humiliation, which consisteth in the acts of the Uuderstanding and the Will, cannot be too much as to the Intention of the