The application of redemption

A heart content to take the shame, is not offended §2with the party, friend, or enemy, that will lay the shame upon him; he knows it is the burden which he ought to […], and if therefore any man will give him a lift, and help him to take it up, he will take it kindly at his hands: It's against common sense to conceive that one should be offended with another, or take it grievously that he doth any thing which he knows would, and he conceives will give him content: No man can be offended in Reason with the party for such a carriage or doing, such a thing. wherein he is contented, and with which he is pleased: True it is, shame in it self, is exceeding distasteful to flesh and blood, and in truth nothing more cross and contrary to an ingenious spirit; Praise is the privilege and prerogative of a reasonable Agent, who acts by Counsel, and therefore other Creatures are not so capable of it, nor do we give it as their due, we commend not the fire for burning heavy things, for falling downward; they cannot but do their work, and therefore no praise, no thanks to them for their deed; but Agents as Men and Angels who work by Counsel, who have wit and wisdom to contrive several ways, conceive the best, and will and care to follow that when they might have done other out of their liberty: Shame therefore crossing a man in his special privilege, his proper free hold, it must in it self be very grievous, and a tedious burden, but as he sees his duty in it, and the good that comes by it, and withal his just desert by reason of his vileness, he is not offended with the presence of the Chirurgeon, but he is glad to see him, and his […], though sharp and […] ⟨p. 660⟩which may lance his imposthume, and so save his […], whenas a naughty heart who would not have another take away his […], he is vexed inwardly at the least, that he lays the shame and disparagement upon him for it: See this odds in those two Kings, Ahab and […], the one a self-seeking deluded […], when he was under the whip and terror of Gods stroke and wrath, he then humbles his soul, fasts and prays, and that in print as it were, acts his part in that extraordinary duty with outward […], and therefore in reason it cannot but be conceived he bewailed his sin, confessed his failings, and yet he that hated Elijah, 1 Kings, 21. 20. he hates also Micaiah,