A59669:488
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, when the will sets the understanding §2a work to extenuate and lessen sin: for many, when they see their sin, yet make it small by looking at the false end of their optic glass; they think such small matters never make any breach between the Lord and their souls. Hence they say, the best man sins seven times a day, and who can say my heart is clean? What is the reason that a child of God hath little peace many times after commission of small sins? Oh! it is because they see the horrible nature of the least sin: small wrongs against so ⟨p. 212⟩dear, so great a friend as the Lord is, it cuts their hearts; yet a carnal heart is never troubled for great sins, because they make a light matter of them.
Secondly, when the will sets the understanding §2a worke to extenuate and lessen sinne: for many, when they see their sinne, yet make it small by looking at the false end of their opticke glasse; they thinke such small matters never make any breach betweene the Lord and their soules. Hence they say, the best man sinnes seven times a day, and who can say my heart is cleane? What is the reason that a child of God hath little peace many times after commission of small sinnes? Oh! it is because they see the horrible nature of the least sinne: small wrongs against so ⟨p. 212⟩deare, so great a friend as the Lord is, it cuts their hearts; yet a carnall heart is never troubled for great sinnes, because they make a light matter of them.
Thirdly, Wilful ignorance of the horrible wrath of God. Hence men rush on in sin, as the horse into the battle. Hence men never fear their estates, because they know not Gods wrath hanging over them. Coldest Snakes when they are frozen with cold, never sting nor hurt; one may carry a nest of them in his bosom: but bring them to the fire, then they hiss and sting: so sin when it is brought near Gods wrath, (that devouring fire) it makes men cry out of themselves, then I am undone, oh I am a lost creature; but being not thus heated, sin never makes a man cry out of himself.