Twenty sermons preached at Oxford before His Majesty, and elsewhere

So that now having proved this so clearly to you, consider with your selves how needful it is to apply this to our own souls. Many men, when they read such things as these of the Scripture, read them but as stories from strange Countries.¹ What, are we dead in sin•, not able to stir one foot in Gods ways? bad we are indeed: but dead, rotten, and stinking in sins and trespasses? What as bad as the World, the Devil, and Flesh, can make us? What, Children of wrath? Firebrands of Hell? Few can persuade themselves that it is so bad with them. Therefore take this home to your selves; think no better of your selves then you are: for thus you are naturally. Therefore consider if thou wert now going out of the world, what state thou art in, a child of wrath, a child of Belial, or the like. Set about the work speedily, go to God, pray, and cry earnestly; give thy self no rest, till thou know this to be thy condition: Let not thy corrupt nature deceive thee, to make •hee think better of thy self, then God saith thou art.

So that now having proved this so clearly to you, consider with your selves how needful it is to apply this to our own souls. Many men, when they read such things as these of the Scripture, read them but as stories from strange Countries.¹ What, are we dead in sin•, not able to stir one foot in Gods wayes? bad we are indeed: but dead, rotten, and stinking in sins and trespasses? What as bad as the World, the Devil, and Flesh, can make us? What, Children of wrath? Firebrands of Hell? Few can perswade themselves that it is so bad with them. Therefore take this home to your selves; think no better of your selves then you are: for thus you are naturally. Therefore consider if thou wert now going out of the world, what state thou art in, a child of wrath, a child of Belial, or the like. Set about the work speedily, go to God, pray, and cry earnestly; give thy self no rest, till thou know this to be thy condition: Let not thy corrupt nature deceive thee, to make •hee think better of thy self, then God saith thou art.

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