The application of redemption

that it is not in your wealth or parts or endeavours or outward pomp, behold these poor base creatures, base in their condition and yet more base in their carriage, scant worse in the bottom of Hell, yet these are called. Oh how will it confound the wise to see the foolish of the world brought to the knowledge of Christ when they never knew the things belonging to their peace, how will it confound the Civilian and subtle hypocrite who had painted over his profession with appearance of Godliness to see a profane wretch whose lewdness time was when he loathed, as though his person were not fit to be looked on, yet now pulled out of his sink and dunghill, made a glorious saint in heaven when he shall be cast out amongst dogs. So the Prophet. Ezek. 16. last.

that it is not in your wealth or parts or endeavours or outward pomp, behold these poor base creatures, base in their condition and yet more base in their carriage, scant worse in the bottom of Hel, yet these are called. Oh how wil it confound the wise to see the foolish of the world brought to the knowledg of Christ when they never knew the things belonging to their peace, how wil it confound the Civilian and subtil hypocrite who had painted over his profession with appearance of Godliness to see a prophane wretch whose leudness time was when he loathed, as though his person were not fit to be looked on, yet now pulled out of his sink and dunghil, made a glorious saint in heaven when he shal be cast out amongst dogs. So the Prophet. Ezek. 16. last.

Look we at the Work it self, There is also a depth of ¹infinite wisdom in this Dispensation to bring that about in many hearts, and that by this means, and that with most success the Lord suffers many to go to a great excess of sin, before he lays hold upon them, or seems to take them to task, that the grossness of the evils might make way for their more easy conviction; and so for the entry of the Word upon their souls, and their subjection to the power and evidence thereof. Men or Hypocrites of a smooth refined carriage, when they carry a conformity in their course to the ways of Godliness, and have strength of carnal reason to make the best of an unblameable life, it's hard for any to come within them, either to pass a Sentence of their present condition, because love hopes the best, when it can bring no evidence of the contrary evil, much less to persuade their estate is unsafe