The application of redemption

The first are such, Who are unwilling to come within §1the Rule and discovery of the Truth, that will lay open a mans loathsome corruptions, which are yet beloved, and lodge too near the heart. If he might have his will, he would not meet with that Truth that would meet with his Courses, whereby he gives his sensual Spirit exceeding great content; unwilling to hear that to be an evil, which he is unwilling to reform; loth that such and such either dispositions or carriages should be condemned as wicked, which he is loth to part withal; he loves not to have this or that to be a Rule, or a Duty, and yet he fears it will prove so, and therefore desires not to hear of it, lest he should be forced to practice it; and therefore he is most at case when he is least within the sight, and call, and command of such Truths which he knows do so narrowly and deeply concern him: and therefore he deals in this case with the Dispensations of the Word, as men use to do that are in debt and danger of Law and Creditors; they fly the Country when they know the under Sheriff hath any Writ out against them, or else betake themselves to some Privilege places, where ⟨p. 106⟩they may be freed from the Arrest of the Officer. So these labour to be there where the Truth in reason is not likely to exercise any jurisdiction, they willingly desire to be without the reach of it, and therefore willing to live in such places under such Ministries where their Consciences may not be troubled, their hearts and ways searched, and they brought to yield subjection by an over powering hand. And here sometimes it comes to this, and that by the confession of their own mouths, when God hath broke in upon their hearts, that they have been afraid to be in the company of such men that they suspected would either convince and call to such practices, or yet to come to the Congregations while such Truths were in scanning and consideration: Or as a Formal Knight once professed (in the Country from whence we came) he would not come to the Assembly until the Minister had made an end of such a Text. Thus […] Spirit was carried towards Micaiah, when all his Trencher Chaplains, the false Prophets, had dressed a Dish on purpose to fit his tooth and turn, had brought in a Verdict that they knew would please his humour, and content his carnal desire;

The first are such, Who are unwilling to come within §1