Gods husbandry

so foolishly taking to himself the praise of Gods restraint, as if a man should commend the carcass for not stinking, when it was embalmed. Now the true Christian in his immunity from such like palpable evils (if it fall out that the Lord have pleased so to restrain him, for often it is otherwise with him), yet knowing the loathsome foulness of his own heart, and being well acquainted with the bottomless quagmire of his own original corruption, is still humble and base in his own eyes: for though he have not committed so foul abominations; yet no thanks unto himself, but to the goodness of God in restraining; for he of himself is even as bad by nature, and should have done as bad (he knows), if the Lord had in like manner given him over to himself. Hence it comes also, that he doth find his heart affected, as with just zeal against gross sinners, so with a pitiful and remorseful disposition towards them, whom he perceiveth to be no whit more wicked than himself should be, if the Lord did not preserve him. But if the true Christian have either before his calling, lived in, or after his calling, slipped into some gross wickedness (as Paul ⟨p. 61⟩was a persecutor before his conversion; David committed murder after) than is he for his whole life time after, much abashed in the remembrance of it, and made exceeding vile in his own eyes. Thus the Publican durst scarce advance his eyes to heaven, but with a countenance replenished with tokens of grief and shame, smote himself on the breast, and begged mercy. And so the Apostle is very much in vilifying himself (notwithstanding the abundant labours of his Apostleship) for his former bloody (though ignorant) persecution.

so foolishly taking to himselfe the praise of Gods restraint, as if a man should commend the carcasse for not stinking, when it was imbalmed. Now the true Christian in his immunitie from such like palpable euils (if it fall out that the Lord haue pleased so to restraine him, for often it is otherwise with him), yet knowing the loathsome foulenesse of his owne heart, and being well acquainted with the bottomlesse quagmire of his owne originall corruption, is still humble and base in his owne eyes: for though he haue not committed so foule abominations; yet no thankes vnto himselfe, but to the goodnesse of God in restraining; for he of himself is euen as bad by nature, and should haue done as bad (he knowes), if the Lord had in like manner giuen him ouer to himselfe. Hence it comes also, that hee doth find his heart affected, as with iust zeale against grosse sinners, so with a pitifull and remorsefull disposition towards them, whom he perceiueth to be no whit more wicked than himselfe should be, if the Lord did not preserue him. But if the true Christian haue either before his calling, liued in, or after his calling, slipt into some grosse wickednesse (as Paul