The application of redemption

When now the Devil and his Instruments, the §2World and her Favourites, perceive their company […], their companions departed, they all set […] the soul, and labour to withdraw it from under the Charge and Command of Conscience: The World by her Allurements, Satan by his Temptations, and […] accursed delights of our sinful lusts, they all […] the soul, and by their wiles persuade the sinner […] join sides with them, and not to be awed or carried by any contrary command: these be (say they) […] denounced, but threatened men live long, this wind shakes no Corn, this is in way of Policy to scare men, but it is not in earnest to hurt men, the same hath been spoken to others, but nothing inflicted upon them, they never found, never felt any such sore blows as all those terrible shakings of the […] would pretend. Thus the sinner is yet drawn aside to follow his sinful courses: Conscience therefore makes after him, lays violent hands upon him, and holds him faster than ever; he becomes now an accuser of him, who was only a friendly admonisher before; a swift witness, yea, a thousand witnesses against him before the tribunal of the Lord, by reason of his sins committed: He raiseth therefore Hue and Cry after the sinner, finds and attacheth him; he that was Gods Herald before to tell and proclaim what should be done; becomes now Gods Pursuivant to summon, his Sergeant to arrest him for what he hath done; he that directed him before, now smites him; as 2 Sam. last, 10. Davids heart smote him after he had numbered the people: Though the sinner could avoid or neglect the Command of Conscience, he cannot avoid the Stroke of Conscience: though he could avoid the warning of Conscience, and cast away that, yet he cannot avoid the horror of Conscience, Rom. 2. 14. His thoughts accusing of ⟨p. 368⟩him in Gods behalf, and his accusations will be heard nay, his judgment is now aggravated, because of the Command that was […], As Gideon dealt with the men of Succoth, who scorned him, when he pursued Zebah, and Zalmunnah: Judg. 8. 7. Returning he tore their flesh with the thorns of the wilderness. So […] after his Commands have been slighted, and his warnings cast behind the back, he surpriseth the sinner in the midst of his […] and greatest Jollity;