The application of redemption

Thus the Deceitfulness of Sin promiseth nothing but Good; the […] of a mans heart is such, […] […] nothing but Good, mens Self-love and […] ⟨p. 295⟩is such, it will not suffer any thing but Good to be presented to the view of the soul.

Thus the Deceitfulness of Sin promiseth nothing but Good; the 〈…〉 of a mans heart is such, 〈…〉 〈…〉 nothing but Good, mens Self-love and 〈…〉 ⟨p. 295⟩is such, it will not suffer any thing but Good to be presented to the view of the soul.

These are the Grounds why a sinful Heart settles it self in security, and blesseth it self, though nothing belongs to him but misery.

Hence we may see the Reason why sharp and¹ soul-saving Preaching, seems so grievous and tedious to the carnal hearts of wicked and natural men; they hardly vouchsafe audience, but not acceptance: Whats the cause? It would awaken them out of their sleepy security in which they lye: To bring a Candle to a sleepy man is unpleasing but to pluck off the Clothes, he will hardly bear it, but will let fly at you: Why will you not suffer a man to be quiet in his bed? &c. All men are naturally in a dead sleep of sin, therefore to bring the Candle of the Law to them, to show them their condition, to pluck away all their coverings and hidings that they may see their sins and themselves as they are, it is death to a man in this case: Plain dealing and rough dealing evermore finds harsh entertainment here: still Music is pleasing and rocks men asleep; but sound blows will awaken men, and not suffer them to sleep in their sins, and therefore they cannot bear them; they have itching ears (saith the Apostle) heaping up Teachers to themselves after their own lusts, and therefore they cannot endure sound doctrine,