A59669:470
The Sincere Convert
The sincere convert discovering the paucity of true believers and the great difficulty of saving conversion by Tho. Shepherd ....The sincere convert discovering the paucity of true beleevers and the great difficulty of saving conversion by Tho. Shepheard ....
London: printed by T.P. and M.S. for Humphrey Blunden, 1641
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, By giving the soul liberty to recreate it self in any sinful course, wherein the eye of conscience may not be pricked and wounded. Servants when they are put always to work, and never can go abroad, are weary both of work and Master: that Master pleaseth them, that giveth them most liberty. To be pent up all the day long in doing Gods work, watching, praying, fighting against every sin, this is a burden, this is too ⟨p. 199⟩strict, and because that they cannot endure it, they think the Lord looks not for it at their hands. Now Satan gives men liberty in their sinful courses; and this liberty begets peace, and this peace makes them think well of themselves, 2 Pet. 2. 19. There's many rotten professors in these days, that indeed will not open their mouths against the sincere hearted people of God, yet they walk loosely, and take too much liberty in their speeches, liberty in their thoughts, liberty in their desires and delights, liberty in their company, in their pastimes, and that sometimes under a pretence of Christian liberty, and never trouble themselves with these needless controversies, to what end, or in what manner do I use these things? whereas the righteous man feareth alway, considering there is a snare for him in every lawful liberty. May not I sin in my mirth, in my speaking, in my sleeping? Oh! this liberty that the Devil gives, and the world takes, besots most men with a foolish opinion, that all is well with them.
Secondly, By giving the soule liberty to recreate it selfe in any sinfull course, wherein the eye of conscience may not be pricked and wounded. Servants when they are put alwayes to worke, and never can goe abroad, are weary both of work and Master: that Master pleaseth them, that giveth them most liberty. To be pent up all the day long in doing Gods worke, watching, praying, fighting against every sinne, this is a burden, this is too ⟨p. 199⟩strict, and because that they cannot endure it, they thinke the Lord lookes not for it at their hands. Now Satan gives men libertie in their sinfull courses; and this libertie begets peace, and this peace makes them thinke well of themselves, 2 Pet. 2. 19