A soul destitute of grace, is stark dead; an heart without integrity, not well compacted, is next to death or destruction; as a ship full of holes, or a body unloosed or dissolved. An heart well compact and knit fast together in the Lord (as is the entire) is1 valiant and courageous in all dangers, trials, temptations. It is not put out of countenance with slanderous tongues, nor shaken with fear of troubles. Though mine adversary should write a book against me, would I not take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown unto me, saith Job? The hypocrite in peace and security may seem strong and valorous: but let God by some affliction ⟨p. 83⟩drag him out, as it were by the ears from his lurking hole, and convent him before his tribunal, and thou shalt not see any thing more abject and heartless. Then is that of the Prophet verified, The sinners in Zion are afraid, a fear is come among the hypocrites. 2Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burning? But the entire heart, even in this case, holds out confident and courageous. And no marvel, for every man that walketh in his integrity hath the privilege of a treble guard, the guard of Gods protection, of the good Angels, and of a good conscience, for his defence against all adversary power. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 3for the end of that man is peace: for the Lord shall help and deliver him, he shall deliver him from the wicked, and save him, because he trusteth in him. The Lord will defend the perfect, and he hath given his Angels charge over them, to bear them in their hands, and keep them in their ways: In which respect they may say with the Prophet, how many soever rise up against us, they be more and stronger that be with us, then they that rise up against us. Moreover, they are blessed of God with a good conscience, which is as a strong Castle, against which no batteries of the enemy can prevail; he is a most valiant Champion, who will not be daunted with any proud on-set of the Adversary, which he knoweth to be weak, and of no strength. As there is nothing more base, or sooner abashed then a corrupt conscience, destitute of integrity: So nothing more bold and hardy then a good and perfect conscience.
A soule destitute of grace, is starke dead; an heart without integrity, not well compacted, is next to death or destruction; as a ship full of holes, or a body unloosed or dissolved. An heart well compact and knit fast together in the Lord (as is the intire) is1 valiant and couragious in all dangers, trials, temptations. It is not put out of countenance with slanderous tongues, nor shaken with feare of troubles. Though mine adversary should write a booke against me, would I not take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crowne unto me, saith Job? The hypocrite in peace and security may seeme strong and valarous: but let God by some affliction ⟨p. 83⟩drag him out, as it were by the eares from his lurking hole, and convent him before his tribunall, and thou shalt not see any thing more abject and heartlesse. Then is that of the Prophet verified, The sinners in Sion are afraid, a feare is come among the hypocrites. 2Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burning? But the entire heart, even in this case, holds out confident and couragious. And no marvell, for every man that walketh in his integrity hath the priviledge of a treble guard, the guard of Gods protection, of the good Angels, and of a good conscience, for his defence against all adversary power. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 3for the end of that man is peace: for the Lord shall helpe and deliver him, he shall deliver him from the wicked, and save him, because he trusteth in him. The Lord will defend the perfect, and he hath given his Angels charge over them, to beare them in their hands, and keepe them in their waies: In which respect they may say with the Prophet, how many soever rise up against us, they be more and stronger that be with us, then they that rise up against us. Moreover, they are blessed of God with a good conscience, which is as a strong Castle, against which no batteries of the enemy can prevaile; he is a most valiant Champion, who will not be daunted with any proud on-set of the Adversary, which he knoweth to be weake, and of no strength. As there is nothing more base, or sooner abashed then a corrupt conscience, destitute of integrity: So nothing more bold and hardy then a good and perfect conscience.
- 1Prov. 10. 29.
- 2Isa. 33. 14, 15.
- 3Ps. 37. 37. Ps. 37. 40. Ps. 91. 11.
