I Wish that whilst my God calleth me among them,5 I may do good to them, as well as receive good from them, that I may as Musk, cast a fragrancy amongst such course and foul linen. Though I hate their sins, yet I am bound to love and pity their souls. Tis true, they are vile and vicious, they work iniquity, they walk after the flesh, they walk contrary to God, and bid him depart from them; But may I not say, Father forgive them, they know not what they do! Did they know him, they would not by their sins crucify afresh the ⟨p. 226⟩Lord of glory. Its no wonder that blind men should wander out of the right way, that those who have been kept in Dungeons all their days, should be contented with the poor Rush-candles of creature comforts, and never desire nor enquire after the Sun of Righteousness. Alas, the God of this World hath blinded their minds, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. He knoweth, that did they but see the grace they abuse, the love they despise, the excellency and certainty of that Salvation which they neglect, and the extremity and endlessness of that misery which they are hastening to, they would quickly turn about, and mind the things which concern their everlasting peace; therefore he holds his black hand over their eyes, and so they are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them. O what pity should I have for such ignorant persons, as are running hoodwinked to Hell! If to him that is afflicted pity should be shown, what pity doth he call for who is all over infected with sin, and every moment in danger of everlasting death? Can I be troubled to behold the blind, or the lame, or the sick, and have I no bowels for those souls that lye weltering in their blood! Besides, the time was, that I had as low thoughts of God and his ways, and as high thoughts of the flesh and the world as they; I was once in their condition, a servant of sin, an heir of wrath, and therefore I owe them the more compassion. Those that have been sensible of the Stone, or Gout, or Tooth-ache, are the more pitiful towards them that are affected with the same pain. My God bids me to be gentle, showing all meekness towards all men, ⟨p. 227⟩(Tit. 3. 2, 3.) Because I my self was sometimes disobedient, deceived, and serving divers lusts and pleasures.
I Wish that whilst my God calleth me among them,5 I may do good to them, as well as receive good from them, that I may as Musk, cast a fragrancy amongst such course and foul linnen. Though I hate their sins, yet I am bound to love and pity their souls. Tis true, they are vile and vicious, they work iniquity, they walk after the flesh, they walk contrary to God, and bid him depart from them; But may I not say, Father forgive them, they know not what they do! Did they know him, they would not by their sins crucifie afresh the ⟨p. 226⟩Lord of glory. Its no wonder that blind men should wander out of the right way, that those who have been kept in Dungeons all their days, should be contented with the poor Rush-candles of creature comforts, and never desire nor enquire after the Sun of Righteousness. Alas, the God of this World hath blinded their minds, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. He knoweth, that did they but see the grace they abuse, the love they despise, the excellency and certainty of that Salvation which they neglect, and the extremity and endlesness of that misery which they are hastening to, they would quickly turn about, and mind the things which concern their everlasting peace; therefore he holds his black hand over their eyes, and so they are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them. O what pity should I have for such ignorant persons, as are running hoodwinkt to Hell! If to him that is afflicted pity should be shewn, what pity doth he call for who is all over infected with sin, and every moment in danger of everlasting death? Can I be troubled to behold the blind, or the lame, or the sick, and have I no bowels for those souls that lye weltring in their blood! Besides, the time was, that I had as low thoughts of God and his ways, and as high thoughts of the flesh and the world as they; I was once in their condition, a servant of sin, an heir of wrath, and therefore I owe them the more compassion. Those that have been sensible of the Stone, or Gout, or Tooth-ach, are the more pitiful towards them that are affected with the same pain. My God bids me to be gentle, shewing all meekness towards all men, ⟨p. 227⟩(Tit. 3. 2, 3.) Because I my self was sometimes disobedient, deceived, and serving divers lusts and pleasures.
- 5Endeavour to reform them.
