The application of redemption

When a mans sins are so far from being his vexation, that it is his vexation that he cannot have free […] to commit his sins, that he is vexed with the word that discovers his evil, vexed with Conscience that checks him for it, plagued and tormented with all that come in his way that will cross him in his lusts: if there be a graceless heart in Hell thou art one to this very day, thou didst never know what it was to put off the will of sinning.

When a mans sins are so far from being his vexation, that it is his vexation that he cannot have free 〈…〉 to commit his sins, that he is vexed with the word that discovers his evil, vexed with Conscience that checks him for it, plagued and tormented with all that come in his way that will cross him in his lusts: if there be a graceless heart in Hell thou art one to this very day, thou didst never know what it was to put off the will of sinning.

Observe where the will takes up its last stand, and §4what it looks at as that which lastly satisfies its desire either in pretended parting with sin, or in performance of duties, or improvement of means. The end steers the action, and gives in evidence of the goodness of it: The Merchant and the Pirate goes in the same channel, useth the same wind to carry them, the same Compass to direct the one about his honest Affairs to serve Gods Providence and his own Duty, and the other to serve his own covetous and unlawful lusts of Thievery and spoiling: So here, I speak it for this purpose, because it's one of the cunning cheats of a deceitful heart, he will perform such Duties, and forsake such sins, not because he either loves the Duty, or loathes the sin, but because he would land himself at the place where he would be, at some other end of his own. Nay, it's possible and ordinary for a man to part with his sin for a push, when indeed it is only that he may keep his sin: As Paul spake of Onesimus, he departed from him for a season that he might be received for ever; and as the Adultress chides her mate before others, that she may enjoy him more freely without fear or suspicion; so it's usual for a false heart to chide with his corruptions, and to speak great words against them, when yet the secret […] is but to enjoy them more freely by that means: therefore let not the Devil cozen you with colours, your confessions and resolutions, your prayers and tears against your sins, and that in secret, and that unto God; if your hearts […] these but as means for your own ends, you never were willing to part with sin.