The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

To these he spe•keth in other language, and chargeth them to hold fast by him, for if they lose ⟨p. 223⟩their hold they will fall into the bottom, and if they stick not to him they will be drowned. Some of them upon this warning hold fast: others are so boldly confident of his skill and good-will and promise that they forget or value not his warning and threatening, but lose their hold: Some through laziness and weariness do the like. Whereupon he lets them sink till they are almost drowned and cry out for help, Save us or we perish, and think they are all lost: and then he layeth hold of them and fetcheth them up again, and chideth them for their bold folly, and biddeth them look better to themselves and hold faster by him hereafter if they love themselves. Some at last through mere weariness and weakness, before they can reach the bank, cry out, O I am tired, I faint, I shall never hold fast till I reach the shore, I shall be drowned. These he comforteth and gives them cordials and holdeth them by the hand, and bids them, Despair not: do your best: Hold fast, and I will help you. And so he brings them all safe to the Haven.

To these he spe•keth in other language, and chargeth them to hold fast by him, for if they lose ⟨p. 223⟩their hold they will fall into the bottom, and if they stick not to him they will be drowned. Some of them upon this warning hold fast: others are so boldly confident of his skill and good-will and promise that they forget or value not his warning and threatning, but lose their hold: Some through laziness and weariness do the like. Whereupon he lets them sink till they are almost drowned and cry out for help, Save us or we perish, and think they are all lost: and then he laieth hold of them and fetcheth them up again, and chideth them for their bold folly, and biddeth them look better to themselves and hold faster by him hereafter if they love themselves. Some at last through meer weariness and weakness, before they can reach the bank, cry out, O I am tired, I faint, I shall never hold fast till I reach the shore, I shall be drowned. These he comforteth and gives them cordials and holdeth them by the hand, and bids them, Despair not: do your best: Hold fast, and I will help you. And so he brings them all safe to the Haven.