The truly blessed man

2. Now search for the sin that hath procured it▪ It is a time to make inquisition; all your afflictions are to turn your eyes upon sin, and put you on the search: you may hope it is not for sin, but trial; but you may so be deluded. And I believe, if now you do not search for Sin, it is a sign that there is one that you would hide; and it was because you kept silence, that he thus touched you: it is then time to look about you.

3. Take heed of hiding your sin. Seek not to cover or extenuate, or suppress the Conviction of it in your Consciences. Ungodly men always thus practice; and the same lust that tempts a Child of God to sin, doth also put him upon so doing; this is the very thing that brought the trouble upon you, in Gods righteous Judgment, and it will continue it, if you nourish it; if when Conscience striveth, you suppress Convictions, and cover your Sins, you will but increase your trouble: ask David how long his distress continued on him, and he will tell you, it was as long as he kept silence.

3. Take heed of hiding your sin. Seek not to cover or extenuate, or suppress the Conviction of it in your Consciences. Ungodly men always thus practice; and the same lust that tempts a Child of God to sin, doth also put him upon so doing; this is the very thing that brought the trouble upon you, in Gods righteous Judgment, and it will continue it, if you nourish it; if when Conscience striveth, you suppress Convictions, and cover your Sins, you will but encrease your trouble: ask David how long his distress continued on him, and he will tell you, it was as long as he kept silence.

4. Beware what means you use to get rid of it. If you be not careful, you may involve your selves the more, and make the hand heavier on you. If you fly to your hiding places of deceit, they will disappoint you; if you think to cure it by diverting from it, and putting it out of your mind by other things, it will deceive you; or if you hope to do it by complaining to your accomplices