The Sincere Convert

but now to prepare the heart by serious meditation of God and mans self before he prays, then to come to God with a bleeding hunger-starved heart, not only with a desire, but with a warrant, I must h•ve such or such a mercy, and thereto wrestle with God, although it be an hour or two together for a blessing, this is too hard; men think none do thus, and therefore they will not.

but now to prepare the heart by serious meditation of God and mans selfe before he prayes, then to come to God with a bleeding hunger-starved heart, not only with a desire, but with a warrant, I must h•ve such or such a mercy, and thereto wrastle with God, although it be an houre or two together for a blessing, this is too hard; men thinke none doe thus, and therefore they will not.

Fifthly, the way of presumption, §5whereby men having seen their sins, ⟨p. 152⟩catch hold easily upon Gods mercy, and snatch comforts, before they are reached out unto them. There is no word of comfort in the Book of God intended for such as regard iniquity in their hearts, though they do not act it in their lives. Their only comfort is, that the sentence of damnation is not yet executed upon them.

Fifthly, the way of presumption, §5whereby men having seene their sins, ⟨p. 152⟩catch hold easily upon Gods mercy, and snatch comforts, before they are reached out unto them. There is no word of comfort in the Booke of God intended for such as regard iniquitie in their hearts, though they doe not act it in their lives. Their onely comfort is, that the sentence of damnation is not yet executed upon them.