The truly blessed man, or, The way to be happy here, and forever being…

The sore distress of Conscience that men are brought into for Sin, is because of Gods hand, lying heavily and continually upon them. That both Godly and wicked are sometimes in such distress, hath already been observed, and how heavily it lieth on them: that which now is before us, is to enquire, How or whence it cometh that they are i• such anxiety? It is certain that man himself doth not willingly, or upon choice bring himself into this trouble, though he doth morally procure […] for himself; for he doth all he can to keep […] lence, to hide, to maintain quiet and security i• ⟨p. 175⟩his mind, and to benum his Conscience into de•olency: yea Conscience it self is through the de•lement that is in it, prone enough to be rocked asleep, and lie still; and too often doth so in good men, as David. Satan also useth it as one of his great stratagems to hinder Unregenerate Men from Conversion, by keeping all quiet within; and is afraid of the least trouble of mind in •one of his own, lest it should issue in the dethroning of him, and subversion of his Kingdom in the Soul; for which end he spares none of his cunning, by himself and his instruments, to prevent or put a stop to all awakenings of Conscience in them; and though he hath a peculiar spite at the peace and tranquility of Gods Children, and for that reason, when Gods hand is heavy upon them, he endeavours to lay on load ill he breaks them; yet when he hath by his policy drawn them into any sin, he would keep them senseless as long as he can, hoping so to have greater advantage on them afterwards. Now ur Doctrine fully resolves this Enquiry.