Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture

(1.) The corruptions that remain, and daily work in the best hearts, these are evermore puzzling and scaring the poor soul with fears and doubts about its condition. Grace teacheth men due severity to themselves, and fear of their own deceitfulness makes them think no hearts are like their hearts, especially ⟨p. 201⟩whilst they compare other mens outside with their own inside, as generally they do. O, how do our own corruptions every moment raise mists and clouds, that it is a wonder we ever should have one clear beam of assurance shining into such hearts as our hearts are.

(1.) The corruptions that remain, and daily work in the best hearts, these are evermore puzling and scaring the poor soul with fears and doubts about its condition. Grace teacheth men due severity to themselves, and fear of their own deceitfulness makes them think no hearts are like their hearts, especially ⟨p. 201⟩whilst they compare other mens outside with their own inside, as generally they do. O, how do our own corruptions every moment raise mists and clouds, that it is a wonder we ever should have one clear beam of assurance shining into such hearts as our hearts are.

(2.) The multitudes of mistakes and cheats that are frequently committed and found in this matter, makes upright hearts the more suspicious and doubtful of their own conditions. O, when they read Matth. 7. 22. that many will say to Christ in that day, Lord, Lord, we have Prophesied in thy Name, &c. It scares them lest they also be deceived.