The application of redemption

Another Shift which keeps off the edge and power of¹ a Conviction, Is the deadly and destroying hazards they expect, and great extremities which they fear will […] befall, if they should not dispense with some sins in such cases: Hence it is their Arguments come on armed with such unanswerable Interrogations in their ⟨p. 140⟩apprehensions; Why? what would you have us do? You little know the desperate straits unto which we are driven, were you but in our places, we are persuaded you would not only pity us in what we have done, but would do the same things; Alas, would you have us beggar our selves? undo our families? destroy our Liberties and Comforts? yea, hazard, nay lose our lives? herein we hope the Lord will allow us some dispensation or connivance: Thus they with one […] consent, not only desired, but took it for granted they should also obtain their desire, which to them appeared so reasonable; Luke, 14. 18. […] Guests began to excuse themselves; One hath hired a Farm, and he must go and see it; Another a yoke of Oxen, and he must try them; and therefore I pray you have me excused; Another hath married a Wife, and he cannot come, and […] desires he may be excused, q. d. We conceive the case so equal and reasonable, we suppose we need not speak our selves, you will plead our excuse, which indeed pleads for it self: should not a man preserve his state, and therefore in a way of providence go visit his Farm? should he not attend his Calling? if he be called to follow the Plough, why should he not follow it?

Another Shift which keeps off the edg and power of¹ a Conviction, Is the deadly and destroying hazards they expect, and great extremities which they fear will 〈…〉 befal, if they should not dispense with some sins in such cases: Hence it is their Arguments come on armed with such unanswerable Interrogations in their ⟨p. 140⟩apprehensions; Why? what would you have us do? You little know the desperate streights unto which we are driven, were you but in our places, we are perswaded you would not only pity us in what we have done, but would do the same things; Alas, would you have us begger our selves? undo our families? destroy our Liberties and Comforts? yea, hazard, nay lose our lives? herein we hope the Lord wil allow us some dispensation or connivance: Thus they with one consent, not only desired, but took it for granted they should also obtain their desire, which to them appeared so reasonable;