The application of redemption

especially there be some closets and secret corners and conveyances of soul, wherein the most sweet and delightful abominations are hugged and harboured: the Lord leaves not a poor wretch, if indeed he intend his good, before he breaks open those great depths, rests not before he come home to the root, and let out the heartblood ⟨p. 360⟩of thy lusts, and then their death will undoubtedly follow.

especially there be some closets and secret corners and conveyances of soul, wherein the most sweet and delightful abominations are hugged and harbored: the Lord leaves not a poor wretch, if indeed he intend his good, before he breaks open those great depths, rests not before he come home to the root, and let out the heartblood ⟨p. 360⟩of thy lusts, and then their death wil undoubtedly follow.

And hence it is this sorrow is compared to such as enter into the very inwards of Nature, and sinks the soul with unsupportable pressures: when that great conversion and return of the Jews to the entertainment of the Gospel shall be brought about by the Lord. The Prophet sets forth the greatness of that sorrow of theirs, under a double similitude. First, Zach. 12. 10. They shall mourn for him, as the mother mourns for her only son, and for her first born: the mourning of a tender hearted mother for her son, her first born, and for her only son, he adds all degrees of grief: if she had possessed many, she might more easily have wanted one, or at least parted with it; or had it been any but her first born which had the first of her strength, and the first of her love, yet she might have born it with more quietness: but when all these meet together, her life and comfort is wrapped up in the life of the Child, the mourning becomes unmeasurable, fills the heart as it were. Secondly, It shall be like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the Valley of Megiddon, when all Israel lamented the death of their good Josiah, the light of their eyes, the breath of their Nostrils, the comfort of their souls,