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. Consider so much as is bitter in it, is of your own preparation: You may thank your selves for it. Who was it that brought you to this Necessity of sorrow? Have you been all your life time surfeiting of the creature, and causing your own disease, and now will you grudge at the trouble of a cure? Whom have you to blame, and find fault with but your selves: was it not you that sinned? was it not you that laid in the fuel of sorrows, and sowed the feeds of this bitter fruit, and cherished the Cause of trouble in your selves? God did not do this: It was you your selves. He doth but undo that which you have been doing. Grudge not therefore at your Physician, if you must be purged, and let blood, and dieted strictly, but thank your selves for it that have made it so necessary.

4. Consider so much as is bitter in it, is of your own preparation: You may thank your selves for it. Who was it that brought you to this Necessity of sorrow? Have you been all your life time surfeiting of the creature, and causing your own disease, and now will you grudg at the trouble of a cure? Whom have you to blame, and find fault with but your selves: was it not you that sinned? was it not you that laid in the fuel of sorrows, and sowed the feeds of this bitter fruit, and cherished the Cause of trouble in your selves? God did not do this: It was you your selves. He doth but undo that which you have been doing. Grudg not therefore at your Physician, if you must be purged, and let blood, and dieted strictly, but thank your selves for it that have made it so necessary.

5. Consider also that you have a wise and tender Physician, that hath known what sorrow and grief is himself; for he ⟨p. 186⟩was made for you a man of sorrows, Isa. 53. 3. And therefore can pity those that be in sorrow. He delighteth not in your trouble, and grief; but in your Cure and after-consolations. And therefore you may be sure that he will deal gently and moderately with you: and lay no more on you then is necessary for your good: Nor give you any bitterer a cup, then your disease doth require. When he showeth his greatest liking of the contrite; it is that he may Revive their hearts; and he professeth withal, that he will not contend for ever, nor be always wrath, lest the Spirit should fail before him, and the Souls which he hath made,