The application of redemption

Thus he strives if he cannot get good by his Meditation, yet to get rid of it; because he cannot be bettered by it, he would not be troubled with it. As the Patient when he is not able to bear the extremity of the Corrosive, that would eat out the proud flesh, takes it off and lays it aside, rather keep his sore though it hazard his life than suffer the smart of it, and may be his perverseness costs him his life. A serious consideration set on, and kept on upon the soul, is like this extreme Corrosive, ⟨p. 277⟩the rebellious hear is not able to endure the continuance of it, and therefore at last it will make an escape from under the sting and strength of it, if possibly it may; and usually it doth, unless the Lord put forth his powerful hand in some special help: and therefore herein lies the last, and the hardest part of Meditation, to get above the heart, and to get the better of it. And to this purpose, the Directions are Three.

Thus he strives if he cannot get good by his Mediration, yet to get rid of it; because he cannot be bettered by it, he would not be troubled with it. As the Patient when he is not able to bear the extremity of the Corrosive, that would eat out the proud flesh, takes it off and laies it aside, rather keep his sore though it hazard his life than suffer the smart of it, and may be his perversness costs him his life. A serious consideration set on, and kept on upon the soul, is like this extream Corrosive, ⟨p. 277⟩the rebellious heare is not able to endure the continuance of it, and therfore at last it wil make an escape from under the sting and strength of it, if possibly it may; and usually it doth, unless the Lord put forth his powerful hand in some special help: and therefore herein lies the last, and the hardest part of Meditation, to get above the heart, and to get the better of it. And to this purpose, the Directions are Three.

Labour to possess thy heart aright with a dreadful fear of thy sinful and desperate condition: maintain it alive in thy self, that it may go along with thee, that will keep thy Meditation alive also, and mightily prevailing. Where a mans fears are, his thoughts will be, they carry a mans consideration uncontrollably with them. Fear is a faithful Watch-man, it sends post between the head and heart, it calls up our consideration and thoughts, and carries them along with them, as the occasion is presented; and it's beyond all a mans skill, either to prevent the coming, or gainsay the power and overbearing force of fears. If once Satan get the heart fearless, it becomes careless and thoughtless, as I may so speak. Eliphas couples them together,