Gods husbandry

Again, the confession of the hypocrite and his sorrow comes but by fits and starts, sometimes, now and then, once or twice, and use it not. Seldom have you Pharaoh and Saul saying, We have ⟨p. 51⟩sinned, they are not often in this tune. It is a rare and unusual thing, to see Ahab going softly, to hear him sighing for his sin. For indeed it ariseth not from any such ground in them, as may make it lasting or perpetual; namely, a true hatred of sin, or love of God: but alone from a fearful expectation of punishment, or a weariness of crosses and afflictions. But now the true Christian is very constant in his confessing, and (at least) striving to lament sin. It is his usual and constant course, to blame himself before God for his daily and particular transgressions: and he is not well almost any day, unless he do take some time, to accuse and judge himself before his Maker. For indeed he walketh with God, and seeketh to approve his heart unto him, and therefore cannot but be frequent in laying open his heart unto him, and pouring out his soul before him. His heart will often so smite him, as to drive him into Gods presence, and make him say, O Lord, I have sinned greatly, and done exceeding foolishly: but Lord do away the sins of thy servant. Yea, he never almost committeth any sin, which he knows to be a sin, but he will confess it, taking daily notice of his daily slips, that he may the better confess them. So the sorrow and confession of hypocrites is in a qualm, when the good mood comes upon them; as a dry hole that is full of water upon a great shower: but the confessing and mourning of the true Christian is daily constant, perpetual, in a settled and usual course; as the running of water in a fluent stream, that hath issue ⟨p. 52⟩from some living Fountain, or Well-head.

Againe, the confession of the hypocrite and his sorrow comes but by fits and starts, sometimes, now and then, once or twice, and vse it not. Seldome haue you Pharaoh and Saul saying, We haue ⟨p. 51⟩sinned, they are not often in this tune. It is a rare and vnusuall thing, to see Ahab going softly, to heare him sighing for his sinne. For indeed it ariseth not from any such ground in them, as may make it lasting or perpetuall; namely, a true hatred of sinne, or loue of God: but alone from a fearefull expectation of punishment, or a wearines of crosses and afflictions. But now the true Christian is very constant in his confessing, and (at least) striuing to lament sinne. It is his vsuall and constant course, to blame himselfe before God for his daily and particular transgressions: and hee is not well almost any day, vnlesse he doe take some time, to accuse and iudge himselfe before his Maker. For indeede he walketh with God, and seeketh to approue his heart vnto him, and therefore cannot but be frequent in laying open his heart vnto him, and powring out his soule before him. His heart will often so smite him, as to driue him into Gods presence, and make him say, O Lord, I haue sinned greatly, and done exceeding foolishly: but Lord doe away the sinnes of thy seruant. Yea, he neuer almost committeth any sinne, which he knowes to be a sinne, but hee will confesse it, taking daily notice of his daily slips, that he may the better confesse them. So the sorrow and confession of hypocrites is in a quaume, when the good moode comes vpon them; as a drie hole that is full of water vpon a great shower: but the confessing and mourning of the true Christian is daily constant, perpetuall, in a settled and vsuall course; as the running of water in a fluent streame, that hath issue