Consider these things, 1. That this inconsideration leaves many a sin already committed upon a sad account. God doth consider 1them, though we will not; they are in his book and before his eye, though we will not think and look on them. 2. That it ripens sin exceedingly: The heart which will not consider of past, will ⟨p. 76⟩break out into sin future; it will be high in sinning, if negligent in considering; he will venture deeply, who knows not the nature nor the merit of sinning. 3. All the work of Repentance will lye flat and dead: Why? where can be that brokenness of heart? that filial lamentation for sinning? that remorse of spirit? that indignation, that detestation of it? that resolution against it? that watchfulness and fear? until by a sound consideration we come to see the vileness and miserableness of sinning, &c. He who thinks his way right, will not turn aside; and that man who knows no better, will never leave, or change, a bad course. 4. You advantage Temptations exceedingly: You are under the edge and power of them all, for you see nothing to hinder you; the motions to sin will pass without any contradiction, for you know not the evil nor misery of being impenitent. Great sins will seem but little, little will seem none; how easy is he to sin, who considers not the great evil in sin? 5. All the edge of the Ordinances is blunted and dulled by inconsideration; they are but water on the Tiles, which pass away: For what are Threatenings against sin? what operation have they on us to make us tremble and humble our hearts, whiles we hear them as Pieces discharged at others, not at our selves? And so, what force have the Precepts for new Obedience, or the Promises for much mercy to the Penitent, until we see that we are the men (as Nathan said to David) whom all this concerns. 6. You will never prize Christ aright, nor the love of God in giving of Christ, nor will you ever seek him to purpose (with hungrings and thirstings) until you do seriously consider of your sinful estates: A man, if whole, will not seek to the Physician, and if he hath but a scratch, will not send to the Chirurgeon: No, sense, or slight sense of sin, hath no influence on ou• affections; but let a man sadly view and find out that he is bad indeed, out with God, ready for Hell, must perish for sin, this man will cry out, Is there no Balm in Gilead? is there no hope for us sinners?
Consider these things, 1. That this inconsideration leaves many a sin already committed upon a sad account. God doth consider 1them, though we will not; they are in his book and before his eye, though we will not think and look on them. 2. That it ripens sin exceedingly: The heart which will not consider of past, will ⟨p. 76⟩break out into sin future; it will be high in sinning, if negligent in considering; he will venture deeply, who knows not the nature nor the merit of sinning. 3. All the work of Repentance will lye flat and dead: Why? where can be that brokenness of heart? that filial lamentation for sinning? that remorse of spirit? that indignation, that detestation of it? that resolution against it? that watchfulness and fear? until by a sound consideration we come to see the vileness and miserableness of sinning, &c. He who thinks his way right, will not turn aside; and that man who knows no better, will never leave, or change, a bad course. 4. You advantage Temptations exceedingly: You are under the edge and power of them all, for you see nothing to hinder you; the motions to sin will pass without any contradiction, for you know not the evil nor misery of being impenitent. Great sins will seem but little, little will seem none; how easie is he to sin, who considers not the great evil in sin? 5. All the edge of the Ordinances is blunted and dulled by inconsideration; they are but water on the Tiles, which passe away: For what are Threatnings against sin? what operation have they on us to make us tremble and humble our hearts, whiles we hear them as Pieces discharged at others, not at our selves? And so, what force have the Precepts for new Obedience, or the Promises for much mercy to the Penitent, until we see that we are the men (as Nathan said to David) whom all this concerns. 6. You will never prize Christ aright, nor the love of God in giving of Christ, nor will you ever seek him to purpose (with hungrings and thirstings) until you do seriously consider of your sinful estates: A man, if whole, will not seek to the Physician, and if he hath but a scratch, will not send to the Chyrurgion: No, sense, or slight sense of sin, hath no influence on ou• affections; but let a man sadly view and find out that he is bad indeed, out with God, ready for Hell, must perish for sin, this man will cry out, Is there no Balm in Gilead? is there no hope for us sinners?
- 1Considerations to such as do not Consider their ways.Considerations to such as doe not Consider their wayes.
