The truly blessed man

1. Sometimes he brings some distressing outward Providence on them, and with it troubleth their Consciences. A time of affliction, is often a time of calling sin to remembrance, a time of adversity is a ⟨p. 179⟩considering time, and God often sets in with it, and maketh Conscience charge home the sin upon them which they have been Guilty of; thus Josephs Brethren, when they met with hard usage, Gen. 42.42. And it is a thing to be observed, that frequently some frown in Providence, gives occasion to fearful troubles of mind, which ensue thereupon; because God by these frowns, brings them to consider of their sins, and giveth Conscience a rousing jog upon it.

2. Sometimes God cometh to them in a word, and knocks them down with it at once. One end of the Scriptures and Preaching of it, is for Conviction; 2 Tim. 3.16. And when the Spirit of God, whose instrument it is, pleaseth to set in with it, it shall so do to purpose. The man before sat regardless under it, and though it as much concerned him, it touched him not, he slept under, wandered from it, or inwardly scoffed at it; but now it enters not his ear only, but ransacketh his heart, divides between joints and marrow, searcheth him to the bottom: Conscience is startled, and wounds his very Soul, the man quaketh as Faelix, Acts 24.25. And cries out as Peters Hearers, Chap. 2.37.

2. Sometimes God cometh to them in a word, and knocks them down with it at once. One end of the Scriptures and Preaching of it, is for Conviction; 2 Tim. 3.16. And when the Spirit of God, whose instrument it is, pleaseth to set in with it, it shall so do to purpose. The man before sat regardless under it, and though it as much concerned him, it touched him not, he slept under, wandred from it, or inwardly scoffed at it; but now it enters not his ear only, but ransacketh his heart, divides between joynts and marrow, searcheth him to the bottom: Conscience is startled, and wounds his very Soul, the man quaketh as Faelix,