Thirdly, If thou knowest nothing from them, then relate thy own condition, this is a most lovely provocation, and exhortation unto another frame, for one great cause that hardeneth men in their security, is because they see no such living Christianity in the world: But when they do, now (Zach. 8•) many shall take hold of the skirt of a Jew, for they shall say God is with you; Agrippa was almost persuaded and awakened when he heard Paul relate his conversion; although there be many impostors in the world that do so, Tell me, are all things in peace with you? the Devil is in you then: What? hast no temptations? yet many; Dost not observe how they prevail? yes; dost never get strength against them? yes; hast no good days after them? yes, much peace and life, and presence of God! Hath the Lord given these talents to ⟨p. 10⟩thee to be hid in a Napkin, this treasure to keep and not to spend? who knows but that the speaking of these may awaken others? these temptations, and this condition is mine, these sins I find he makes a great matter of them; Lord what will become of me that am hardened under them? this peace they find, my Soul is a stranger to it; Conscience will work thus: Women should speak thus to women, and men to men; others were provoked by the example of the Corinthians, to help others; so there is a provoking power here.
Thirdly, If thou knowest nothing from them, then relate thy own condition, this is a most lovely provocation, and exhortation unto another frame, for one great cause that hardeneth men in their security, is because they see no such living Christianity in the world: But when they do, now (Zach. 8•) many shall take hold of the skirt of a Iew, for they shall say God is with you; Agrippa was almost perswaded and awakened when he heard Paul relate his conversion; although there be many impostors in the world that do so, Tell me, are all things in peace with you? the Devil is in you then: What? hast no temptations? yet many; Dost not observe how they prevail? yes; dost never get strength against them? yes; hast no good days after them? yes, much peace and life, and presence of God! Hath the Lord given these talents to ⟨p. 10⟩thee to be hid in a Napkin, this treasure to keep and not to spend? who knows but that the speaking of these may awaken others? these temptations, and this condition is mine, these sins I find he makes a great matter of them; Lord what will become of me that am hardned under them? this peace they finde, my Soul is a stranger to it; Conscience will work thus: Women should speak thus to women, and men to men; others were provoked by the example of the Corinthians, to help others; so there is a provoking power here.
