He will further you in your self-vexations (when he cannot keep you in security and presumption) but in amending he will hinder you with all his might. How oft have I known poor passionate Creatures, that would vex and rage in anger, and break out in unseemly language, to the disquieting of all about them; and others that would drop into other the like sins, and when they have done, lament it, and condemn ⟨p. 537⟩themselves; and yet would not set upon a resolute and cheerful Reformation! Nay, if you do but reprove them for any sin, they will sooner say, If I be so bad, God will condemn me for an Hypocrite; and so lye down in disquietness and distress; then they will say, I see my sin, and I resolve to resist it, and I pray you warn me of it, and help me to watch against it. So that they would bring us to this pass, that either we must let them alone with their sins for fear of Tormenting them, or else we must cause them to lye down in terrors. Alas, poor mistaken souls! It is neither of these that God calls for! Will you do any thing save what you should do? Must you needs be esteemed either Innocent, or Hypocrites, or such as shall be damned? The thing that God would have, is this; That you would be glad that you see your fault, and thank him that showeth it you, and resolvedly do your best to amend it, and this in faith and cheerful confidence in Christ, flying to his Spirit for help and victory. Will you please the Devil so far, and so far contradict the gracious way of Christ, as that you will needs either sin still, or Despair? Is there not a middle between these two? to wit, Cheerful Amendment? Remember that it is not your Vexation or Despair, but your Obedience and Peace that God desireth ⟨p. 538⟩That life is most Pleasing to him, which is most safe and sweet to you.
He will further you in your self-vexations (when he cannot keep you in security and presumption) but in amending he will hinder you with all his might. How oft have I known poor passionate Creatures, that would vex and rage in anger, and break out in unseemly language, to the disquieting of all about them; and others that would drop into other the like sins, and when they have done, lament it, and condemn ⟨p. 537⟩themselves; and yet would not set upon a resolute and chearful Reformation! Nay, if you do but reprove them for any sin, they will sooner say, If I be so bad, God will condemn me for an Hypocrite; and so lye down in disquietness and distress; then they will say, I see my sin, and I resolve to resist it, and I pray you warn me of it, and help me to watch against it. So that they would bring us to this pass, that either we must let them alone with their sins for fear of Tormenting them, or else we must cause them to lye down in terrours. Alas, poor mistaken souls! It is neither of these that God cals for! Will you do any thing save what you should do? Must you needs be esteemed either Innocent, or Hypocrites, or such as shall be damned? The thing that God would have, is this; That you would be glad that you see your fault, and thank him that sheweth it you, and resolvedly do your best to amend it, and this in faith and chearful confidence in Christ, flying to his Spirit for help and victory. Will you please the Devil so far, and so far contradict the gracious way of Christ, as that you will needs either sin still, or Despair? Is there not a middle between these two? to wit, Chearful Amendment? Remember that it is not your Vexation or Despair, but your Obedience and Peace that God desireth ⟨p. 538⟩That life is most Pleasing to him, which is most safe and sweet to you.
