2. This is but selfness, which is ever accompanied with unquietness: for why dost thou refuse to apply those Promises which God hath made? Is it not because, 1. Thou wouldst have more goodness first, 2. Less unbelief first? And is not this a self-seeking, yea, in some sort a self-standing? What an odd and unseemly 1method of worshipping of God is this? Lord, I have but weak grace, and thou hast promised to strengthen it, and ⟨p. 85⟩perfect and finish it, but I will not believe thy Promise belongs to me; until I have first a greater increase of my grace. Or thus, Lord, I find much unevenness in duty, and thou hast promised to give thy Spirit, which shall cause me to walk in thy way, but I will not believe this Promise, until I be first more enabled in duty. Or thus, Lord, I find much sinfulness in me, and thou hast promised to change & cleanse the heart, and to subdue iniquity, but I will not believe this Promise, until first I see my sins subdued: When I find my graces increased, then I will believe that thou wilt increase them; when I find my 2obedience continued, and my sins subdued, then will I believe that thou wilt cause me to walk, and wilt subdue sins. q. d. If thou wilt perform thy Promise before I do believe ⟨p. 86⟩thy Promise, then I will believe thy Promise. This is as 3if a man would see the blood in the veins, before the veins are opened; or wash his hands clean, before he hath turned the cock to let out the water.
2. This is but selfnesse, which is ever accompanied with unquietnesse: for why dost thou refuse to apply those Promises which God hath made? Is it not because, 1. Thou wouldst have more goodnesse first, 2. Lesse unbeliefe first? And is not this a self-seeking, yea, in some sort a self-standing? What an odde and unseemly 1method of worshiping of God is this? Lord, I have but weak grace, and thou hast promised to strengthen it, and ⟨p. 85⟩perfect and finish it, but I will not beleeve thy Promise belongs to me; untill I have first a greater increase of my grace. Or thus, Lord, I find much unevennesse in duty, and thou hast promised to give thy Spirit, which shall cause mee to walk in thy way, but I will not beleeve this Promise, untill I be first more enabled in duty. Or thus, Lord, I find much sinfulnesse in me, and thou hast promised to change & cleanse the heart, and to subdue iniquity, but I will not beleeve this Promise, untill first I see my sins subdued: When I find my graces increased, then I will beleeve that thou wilt increase them; when I find my 2obedience continued, and my sinnes subdued, then will I beleeve that thou wilt cause me to walk, and wilt subdue sins. q. d. If thou wilt performe thy Promise before I doe beleeve ⟨p. 86⟩thy Promise, then I will beleeve thy Promise. This is as 3if a man would see the blood in the veines, before the veins are opened; or wash his hands cleane, before he hath turned the cock to let out the water.
- 1Note. So thou hast promised to pardon sins, &c.
- 2When thou hast done it, then I will believe that thou wilt do it.Whē thou hast done it, then I will beleeve that thou wilt doe it.
- 3Simile.
