Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

2. And the weak Christian is so far of the same mind, that he had rather come to God by Death and Judgement, than not at all: (except when temptations make him fear that he shall be condemned.) He hath fixedly made choice of that Felicity, which till then he cannot attain. He would not take all the pleasures of this world, for his hopes of the happiness of that day: But yet he thinketh not of it with so strong a faith, and great consolation, nor with such boldness and desire, as the confirmed Christian doth: but either with much more dull security, or more perplexity and fear. His thoughts of God and of the world to come, are much more dark and doubtful; and his fears ⟨p. 169⟩of that day are usually so great as make his desires and joys scarce felt: Only he thinketh not of it with that contempt or stupidity as the Infidel or hardened sinner; nor with the terrors of those that have no God, no Christ, no hope: (except when temptation bringeth him near to the borders of despair.) His death indeed is unspeakably safer than the death of the ungodly; and the joys which he is entering into will quickly end the terror; but yet he hath no great comfort of the present; but only so much trust in Christ, as keepeth his heart from sinking into despair.

2. And the weak Christian is so far of the same mind, that he had rather come to God by Death and Judgement, than not at all: (except when temptations make him fear that he shall be condemned.) He hath fixedly made choice of that Felicity, which till then he cannot attain. He would not take all the pleasures of this world, for his hopes of the happiness of that day: But yet he thinketh not of it with so strong a faith, and great consolation, nor with such boldness and desire, as the confirmed Christian doth: but either with much more dull security, or more perplexity and fear. His thoughts of God and of the world to come, are much more dark and doubtfull; and his fears ⟨p. 169⟩of that day are usually so great as make his desires and joys scarce felt: Only he thinketh not of it with that contempt or stupidity as the Infidel or hardened sinner; nor with the terrours of those that have no God, no Christ, no hope: (except when temptation bringeth him near to the borders of despair.) His death indeed is unspeakably safer than the death of the ungodly; and the joys which he is entring into will quickly end the terrour; but yet he hath no great comfort of the present; but only so much trust in Christ, as keepeth his heart from sinking into despair.