The application of redemption

He then begins to bethink himself what to do.

We here see the reason why there is so little good done ¹by the Ministry of the Word upon the hearts of ungodly men: Many Hypocrites lie skulking under the covers of deceit, and are not discovered; many proud hearts not humbled, but go on in their sturdy distempers; many sleepers sit and snort in their security, and go hoodwinked down to destruction, and see nothing before they sink into the pit. We do not knock at mens doors, we do not bring the light to their bed-sides, we do not pinch them indeed with sharp and particular reproofs, and those set on to purpose; we do not put them […] ⟨p. 199⟩their fence, we do not keep them under the arrest of some conviction, so that they cannot make an escape; but each carnal reason rescues them from the hold of some common Truths that happily are delivered. Oh we level not, we hit not, we apply not the Word so home, so particularly as the occasions, conditions, corruptions of men require; and therefore it prevails not with that power, finds not that success which otherwise it might. Common Reproofs are like the confused […] in the Ship when the Mariners were rowing Jonah to the shore, notwithstanding all which, Jonah lies and sleeps under-hatches: But when they go down to him, and laid hold upon him, and awakened him with a witness, Arise thou sluggard, and call upon thy God, lest we all perish, Jonah, 1. 5. He then began to bethink himself where he was, and what he had done; and then remembered that though he had feared and served the God of Heaven, yet by […] rebellion he had departed away from him. So here, all the while we take up mens minds, and exercise their Ears and thoughts with some hovering Discourses, and common words of course, We are all sinners, In many things we offend all, All flesh is frail; but I hope better things of you, I hope there is none such amongst you.