The application of redemption

for though they easily conceive they understand not what is good for their own sicknesses, yet they cannot conclude but others do or may understand more than themselves. So here, Men and Brethren, we knew not our sins before, nor now how to be quit of them. You that from God, know how to discover them, we cannot but think, but you may show us a way of escape and deliverance, and therefore we cannot but enquire; though the sinner cannot say it will, yet he doth not know it will not be; therefore I term it an unknown ⟨p. 600⟩expectation, it secretly sways and carries the heart.

for though they easily conceive they understand not what is good for their own sicknesses, yet they cannot conclude but others do or may understand more than themselves. So here, Men and Brethren, we knew not our sins before, nor now how to be quit of them. You that from God, know how to discover them, we cannot but think, but you may shew us a way of escape and deliverance, and therefore we cannot but enquire; though the sinner cannot say it wil, yet he doth not know it wil not be; therefore I term it an unknown ⟨p. 600⟩expectation, it secretly swaies and carries the heart.

Hence this Hope is confused and uncertain, it doth not, nor can bottom the heart in any grounded assurance, and settle it upon any certainty, for the attainment of that which now it needs; But keeps this on foot in the consideration of the sinner, that there be unknown passages of possibilities for his spiritual relief, and therefore this sends the heart out after search and enquiry. And those possibilities provoke the sinner to put to, with what diligence and endeavour may be to see what he can make of them, whether they will hit or miss, what will become of him and his comforts, that he may know what to make of himself and his condition, which as yet he knows not,