The zealous Christian taking heavenThe zealovs Christian taking heaven

To you I would say three things.

1 Whereas you say, that you are of a more civill life then others, and so you are apt to persuade your selves your case is better then others: Consider, others are more easily and ordinarily converted then you are: Publicans go to heaven before you. You read in Luke 18. 14. the Publican went ¹away justified rather then the Pharisee. Luther hath a notable gloss upon these words: It is far more easy for harlots and notorious sinners to be saved, then for proud titular Saints; because the former are easily brought to a sense of their sins, but the latter are like to perish in the conceit of their own righteousness, except they be converted in an extraordinary manner. This I speak, not that I would dissuade you ⟨p. 63⟩from a civill course of life, or draw you to in open profaneness; but that you may not rest upon your moral accomplishments, upon your good meanings, and think that you are sermon-proof, that the Minister can hardly meet with your corruptions and consciences.

1 Whereas you say, that you are of a more civill life then others, and so you are apt to perswade your selves your case is better then others: Consider, others are more easily and ordinarily converted then you are: Publicans go to heaven before you. You read in Luke 18. 14. the Publican went ¹away justified rather then the Pharisee. Luther hath a notable glosse upon these words: It is far more easie for harlots and notorious sinners to be saved, then for proud titular Saints; because the former are easily brought to a sense of their sins, but the latter are like to perish in the conceit of their own righteousnesse, except they be converted in an extraordinary manner. This I speak, not that I would disswade you