The application of redemption

If yet the Power of the Truth, and the evidence of §4the Argument take off all these pretences, and would seem to compel the Judgment, then a corrupt heart calls in all Forces, levies new Armies of Arguments to maintain its own Station, and withstand the […], and therefore though the thing be plain, and be see it, yet he will not be satisfied, but seeks […] as hoping to […] some Dispensation for it self, or some evasion out of the Word; Numb. 23. Balaam consults again with God after he sufficiently understood the mind of God. Now therefore I pray you stay with me this night that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more: why, he knew before, and the Lord had told him plainly, […] shalt not go, thou shalt not curse; he well understood Gods mind, but he would have had him of another mind; therefore he devises ways still to try, verse 14. here he must have seven Altars; if he might bribe God with his Sacrifices to give him leave to go and curse them. But if he can find no allowance to dispense with the Truth, then he begins to invent Cavils and carnal Reasonings against it: he cannot get it by running, he will get it (if he can) by doubling; he is not willing to yield, therefore is resolved to quarrel and wind away from under the force of the Argument, and to make an escape, Acts, 17. 18. They encountered Paul, they came into the field with Cavils against his Doctrine: observe how careful an unwilling heart is to invent a shift, and how content to take it; and if yet he fail of his hopes, and is not able to make his party good with the […], he unlocks all the Devils Chests, and ⟨p. 311⟩[…] his Skull for devices; and though the Reasons be of no weight nor worth, nor strength, yet he is well […] to be cozened with them, though there be scant any appearance of a pretence, when the young man had professed all readiness to follow the Command of the Lord, and saw nothing would serve turn unless he sold all, overpowered with the Authority of the Truth, he left it in the plain field,¹ and went away sorrowful.

If yet the Power of the Truth, and the evidence of