The application of redemption

Men devise new Rules, and make new Gospels of their §3own, and set such a measure to themselves in their own ⟨p. 276⟩apprehensions, which unless they can compass, they are resolved to take no content; nay, not to follow any other direction than that they have coined in their own conceit; and thus they please themselves in their own apprehensions, and resolve to dwell in the consideration of their sins, until their hearts were brought so low, see themselves so vile, the soul so through broken under the weight of their evil, and their own unworthiness, else what have they to do with a Christ, or once to look toward him.

Men devise new Rules, and make new Gospels of their §3own, and set such a measure to themselves in their own ⟨p. 276⟩apprehensions, which unless they can compass, they are resolved to take no content; nay, not to follow any other direction than that they have coyned in their own conceit; and thus they please themselves in their own apprehensions, and resolve to dwel in the consideration of their sins, until their hearts were brought so low, see themselves so vile, the soul so through broken under the weight of their evil, and their own unworthiness, else what have they to do with a Christ, or once to look toward him.

How we come to grapple with the heart by Meditation, we heard before; and because this Work is wearisome in it self, and tedious to our corrupt Nature, to be ever raking in the Wound, set a mans heart upon the rack, and keep it in restless disquiet, that the venom of a mans guilt and plagues should ever be before his eyes, and the Summons to Judgment ever sounding in his Ears; the soul is not able to bear the unsupportable weight thereof, and therefore it cannot get to Christ to be cured and healed; it winds and turns every way that yet it may be eased, therefore the sinner tries all conclusions that possible may be, that he may drive away the dismal thoughts of his sinful condition, and cast aside those stabbing considerations that makes his heart die within him. Therefore he turns every stone, if he can drink it out, or game it out, or work it out, or pray it out, or any ways, or by any means wear out the thoughts that weary him of his life.