Self-conceit caused him to think so highly of himself, that notwithstanding all that Godliness could say to confute Ignorance and Unbelief, he did not mind at all, for he said they were all Fools who troubled themselves about sin and another World, and that he who had lived so many years, understood better, and he knew what he had to do, and bid Godliness (in conclusion) hold his prating, For, saith he, every Tub must stand upon his own bottom, and sure I am, God will not cast away an old man; I was born a Christian, and made a Child of God, a Member of Christ, an Heir to the Kingdom of Heaven by my Baptism; (our Minister told me so) and would you persuade me to think my condition is bad at last; no, Sir, I understand what Religion is very well; do not mistake your self, for I do not see I am much pressed by my ⟨p. 69⟩ordinary to strike Godliness. But to come now and then to hear Prayers, and receive the Sacrament, and this I resolve to do, and though my condition is rendered so bad by you, I am sure there are many in our Parish, yet good Church-men, as bad, nay far worse than I.
Godliness by this time perceived Old-age was so hardened in his Sin, and trained up by Ignorance so long a time, that 'twas next to an impossibility ever to think the evil habits he hath got by being accustomed so long to those evil ways of Vice and Ungodliness, should ever be changed, considering he was become so unteachable and Self-conceited, was resolved to leave him, not thinking it was worth his time to wait longer at his Door, nor give any reply to those base-bred Children, and Servants he kept in his House; for Peevish made him so phroppish, that there was no speaking to him, remembering that word of the Prophet, Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? 1then may you who are accustomed to do evil, learn to do well. Yet he could not but take pity of him, considering his Age, therefore gave him this following general Reply, and departed.
Self-conceit caused him to think so highly of himself, that notwithstanding all that Godliness could say to confute Ignorance and Ʋnbelief, he did not mind at all, for he said they were all Fools who troubled themselves about sin and another World, and that he who had lived so many years, understood better, and he knew what he had to do, and bid Godliness (in conclusion) hold his prating, For, saith he, every Tub must stand upon his own bottom, and sure I am, God will not cast away an old man; I was born a Christian, and made a Child of God, a Member of Christ, an Heir to the Kingdom of Heaven by my Baptism; (our Minister told me so) and would you perswade me to think my condition is bad at last; no, Sir, I understand what Religion is very well; do not mistake your self, for I do not see I am much pressed by my ⟨p. 69⟩ordinary to strike Godliness. But to come now and then to hear Prayers, and receive the Sacrament, and this I resolve to do, and though my condition is r•ndred so bad by you, I am sure there are many in our Parish, yet good Church-men, as bad, nay far worse than I.
Godliness by this time perceived Old-age was so hardened in his Sin, and trained up by Ignorance so long a time, that 'twas next to an impossibility ever to think the evil habits he hath got by being accustomed so long to those evil waies of Vice and Ʋngodliness, should ever be changed, considering he was become so unteachable and Self-conceited, was resolved to leave him, not thinking it was worth his time to wait longer at his Door, nor give any reply to those base-bred Children, and Servants he kept in his House; for Peevish made him so phroppish, that there was no speaking to him, remembring that word of the Prophet, Can the Aethiopian change his Skin, or the Leopard his Spots? 1then may you who are accustomed to do evil, learn to do well. Yet he could not but take pity of him, considering his Age, therefore gave him this following general Reply, and departed.
- 1Jerem. 13.23.
