The application of redemption

Lastly its honourable for a poor scandalous wretch to be under such heavy breakings of heart, and therefore §4it should be comfortable to him. I rather mention this to stop the mouths of the refuse rabble of the world, and to show the desperate mistakes unto which carnal reason carries us, out of the pride of our own spirits; we know that sin is […] and shame loathsome, even to nature especially corrupt and proud, to be forced to acknowledge the one, to take the other. It appears very direful to the apprehension of all the sons of Adam. And therefore when the Lord is pleased to hold a scandalous wretch upon the wrack and to make him roar out his wretchedness, vomit out his sin and take the shame he hath deserved. His companions that have conversed with him, and his friends that have honoured him, they are driven to their dumps in discouragement and discontentment, and cry out the man is undone, and curse the day that ever the Minister came into the country, and blames his folly and silliness that he would attend to what he said and be troubled with any thing he heard, to bring an everlasting blemish upon himself. No: I say there's no such matter. This is the greatest honour that yet ever befell him in this world, and will be a means of blessing to him in another. It is a ⟨p. 354⟩shame to commit sin but not to have the heart breaking under the apprehension of it. Nay it is an expression of Gods favour and as it may prove, a sign of Gods special love, if it be rightly improved. God thus far honours a poor wretch that he will speak to him as he passeth by. Should a Prince that was provoked by the conspiracies and rebellions of many Traitors, as he passed by, should he vouchsafe to send unto, and call upon some one to reclaim him from his crew, and company and courses, and that upon very equal terms he might find acceptance and pardon and peace: when he will not so much as look after others, or change a word with them, would not this be accounted matter of marvellous respect from the King, and honour to the man? So here. As David, begs favour from the Lord. […]. 119. 132. be merciful to me, and look upon me as thou usest to do upon them that desire to fear thy name, he takes it to be the highest pitch of his happiness to be so dealt withal.

Lastly its honourable for a poor scandalous wretch to be under such heavy breakings of heart, and therefore §4