May not this also be sad reproof and terror1 ⟨p. 36⟩to them that stand it out against all means of conviction, and will not see their sin, nor believe the fearful wrath of God due to them for sin; not a man scarce can be found, that will come to this conclusion; I am a sinful man, and therefore I am a dead, I am a condemned man: but like wild beasts fly from their pursuers into their holes, and thickets, and dens; their sinful extenuations, excuses, and apologies for sin, and for themselves; and if they be hunted thither, and found out there, then they resist, and article against that truth which troubles them; They flatter themselves in their own eyes, 2until their iniquities be found most hateful. Many a man dislikes the text, the use, especially the long use wherein his sin is touched, and his conscience tossed; especially if it be his darling sin, his Herodias, his Rimmon; especially, if withal he thinks that the Minister means him, he will not see it nor confessed it; especially if he apprehends he shall lose his honour, or his silver shrines and profit by it; he will not see his •in, that he may not be troubled in conscience for his sin, that so he may not be forced to confess and forsake his sin, and condemn himself for it before God and men. Oh Lord, I mourn that I can scarce meet with a man that either cares to be, or will be convinced; but hath something alway to say for himself, ⟨p. 37⟩their sins are not so great, they are not so bad, but have some good, and therefore have some hope; and if God be merciful, it is no great matter though they be exceeding sinful, or some such thing; their mouths are not stopped to say nothing for themselves, but guilty. There is less conviction in the world in this age, then many are aware of. For I believe that all the powers of hell conspire together to blind mens eyes and darken mens minds in this great work of Christ: Principiis obsta, it is policy to stop Christ in his entrance, in this first streak upon the soul; but oh, little do you think what you do herein, and what woe you work to your selves hereby; dost thou stifle and resist the first breathings of Christs Spirit when he comes to save thee? what hurt will it be to know the worst of thy condition now, when there is hope hereby of coming out of it; who must else one day see all thy sins in order before thee to thy eternal anguish and terror?
May not this also be sad reproofe and terrour1 ⟨p. 36⟩to them that stand it out against all means of conviction, and will not see their sin, nor beleeve the fearfull wrath of God due to them for sin; not a man scarce can be found, that will come to this conclusion; I am a sinfull man, and therefore I am a dead, I am a condemned man: but like wild beasts fly from their pursuers into their holes, and thickets, and dens; their sinfull extenuations, excuses, and apologies for sin, and for themselves; and if they bee hunted thither, and found out there, then they resist, and article against that truth which troubles them; They flatter themselves in their owne eyes, 2untill their iniquities be found most hatefull. Many a man dislikes the text, the use, especially the long use wherein his sinne is toucht, and his conscience tost; especially if it be his darling sin, his Herodias, his Rimmon; especially, if withall he thinks that the Minister meanes him, he will not see it nor confeste it; especially if hee apprehends he shall lose his honour, or his silver shrines and profit by it; he will not see his •in, that he may not be troubled in conscience for his sin, that so he may not be forced to confesse and forsake his sinne, and condemne himselfe for it before God and men. Oh Lord, I mourne that I can scarce meet with a man that either cares to be, or will be convinced; but hath something alway to say for himselfe, ⟨p. 37⟩their sins are not so great, they are not so bad, but have some good, and therefore have some hope; and if God be mercifull, it is no great matter though they be exceeding sinfull, or some such thing; their mouths are not stopped to say nothing for themselves, but guilty. There is lesse conviction in the world in this age, then many are aware of. For I believe that all the powers of hell conspire together to blind mens eyes and darken mens minds in this great work of Christ: Principiis obsta, it is policy to stop Christ in his entrance, in this first streake upon the soule; but oh, little doe you think what you doe herein, and what woe you work to your selves hereby; dost thou stifle and resist the first breathings of Christs Spirit when he comes to save thee? what hurt will it be to know the worst of thy condition now, when there is hope hereby of comming out of it; who must else one day see all thy sins in order before thee to thy eternall anguish and terrour?
- 1Use 2.Vse 2.
- 2Psal. 36.2.
