The application of redemption

The […] which stops the way and work of Faith is, a settled kind of contentedness in our corrupt condition,§1 and the blind, yet bold and presumptuous confidence that a natural man hath, and would maintain of his good condition. Each man sits down willingly, well apaid with his own estate and portion, sees no need of any change, and therefore not willing to hear of it. Each ⟨p. 8⟩man is so full of self-love that he is loth to pass a sentence against his own soul, to become a judg and self-condemner, and consequently an executioner of all his hopes and comforts at once, and so put his happiness and help out of his own hand. Besides, we are Naturally afraid (out of the privy, yet direful guilt of our own Consciences) to profess the wretchedness of our own miserable and damnable Condition, as to put it upon a peremptory conclusion, and that beyond question, I am undone, I am a damned man, in the Gall of bitterness, in the bonds of iniquity, lest they should stir such horrors, which they are neither able to quiet, nor yet able to bear. And therefore out of the presumption of their own hearts, they would easily persuade and delude themselves, they have no cause to alter their condition, and therefore they should not endeavour it. Hence the carnal heart is said to bear up himself against all the assaults of the Word, Deut. 29. 19. When all the Curses of the Law were denounced with never so much evidence, yet the presumptuous sinner blesseth himself, promiseth all good to himself, and secretly feeds himself with vain hopes that he shall attain it, therefore he will not stir to seek for a better estate, nor yet receive it if offered, Job, 22. 17. They say unto the Almighty, depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of his ways: do Ministers press them, do others persuade them to a more serious and narrow search, to get more grounded assurance of their estate in Grace, they profess they bid them to their loss, they think they need not be better, nor do they desire to be other. It is impossible upon these terms that ever the soul should be carried by Faith unto God.

The 〈…〉 which stops the way and work of Faith is, a setled kind of contentedness in our corrupt condition,