An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

But because many men naturally have patient dispositions; others stout and strong stomachs, it is good to know, whether Nature or Grace support thee. When Solomon saith, Prov. 18. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear! He doth by that give us a distinction of two sorts of troubles, The former External, such as fall upon our Body, Estate, or good Name. And now under these, many a man hath so much natural courage and boldness, that he will not shrink under them. But then

But because many men naturally have patient dispositions; others stout and strong stomacks, it is good to know, whether Nature or Grace support thee. When Solomon saith, Prov. 18. 14. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear! He doth by that give us a distinction of two sorts of troubles, The former External, such as fall upon our Body, Estate, or good Name. And now under these, many a man hath so much natural courage and boldnesse, that he will not shrink under them. But then

The second sort is Internal, because of the guilt of sins, when the wrath of God falleth upon the conscience being now awakened and made tender; this he calleth a wounded spirit; and concerning this he saith, None can bear it. So that although for outward troubles, many men do with their natural power and strength go through them, yet a troubled conscience no humane power is able to bear, if God withdraw his helping hand. Cain cried out, It was greater than he could bear. Judas was so overwhelmed with it, that he destroyed his own self. Oh then take heed of bringing a burden upon thy conscience, that is heavier than any weight! Poverty may be borne, ⟨p. 282⟩misery and straits may be borne, but a wounded conscience, who can bear?

The second sort is Internal, because of the guilt of sinnes, when the wrath of God falleth upon the conscience being now awakened and made tender; this he calleth a wounded spirit; and concerning this he saith, None can bear it. So that although for outward troubles, many men do with their natural power and strength go through them, yet a troubled conscience no humane power is able to bear, if God withdraw his helping hand. Cain cried out, It was greater than he could bear. Iudas was so overwhelmed with it, that he destroyed his own self. Oh then take heed of bringing a burden upon thy conscience, that is heavier than any weight! Poverty may be borne,