Godly. Conscience I thank you, you speak like an honest Man, and indeed I have always found you impartial, according to your Light. I will then give you such a Description of this subtle and deceitful Enemy of mine, that you cannot well mistake; and this I shall do, by propounding a few Questions to you.
First, Sir, Was he ever thoroughly wounded in the Sense of Sin, as 'tis Sin, being convinced of the ugly and abominable Nature thereof; there being nothing in all the World more hateful to God than that, not only convinced of the Evil which does attend it, or is the Fruit of it, but also of that cursed Evil there is in it, it being utterly contrary to the holy and pure Nature of God, a Breach of his Law, and that which hath made a Breach between God and Man, and basety defaced the Image of God if him, and is the absolute Cause of all that abominable Enmity that is in his Heart against God and me his blessed Off-spring; and also makes Man in love with the ⟨p. 98⟩Ways of the Devil, nay, to be like the Devil, conformable to him, and to do his Will.
Secondly, Is there no one Sin that he secretly loves and lives in, (the evil Habits never being broken?) Have you found him now and then telling a Lie for his Advantage Sake, or in telling of Tales or Stories, adding to them, to please the Company, or to excuse himself when accused of this or that, that so he may gain Credit? Is he not sometimes overtaken by Drunkenness? Is he not proud, minding more the Honour, Praise, and Applause of Men in what he doth in Religion, than the Praise of God? Is he not Covetous? Doth he give according to his Ability to the Poor? Doth he not rob God to serve the World? I mean neglect hearing of God's Word, and other indispensable Duties, for worldly Profit Sake, and so prefer the World above the Word? Doth he never in Trading offend you, in speaking better of his Commodities than they deserve? Is not the World more in his Love and Affections than God and Jesus Christ? Does he always give good and just Weight and Measure, and not take unlawful Profit? Doth he not make Gain of Godliness, and use Religion as a Cloak, to cover his secret Sins; doth he concern himself for the Interest of the Gospel, and his open-heartedness show upon that account he loves Christ above Son or Daughter?
Godli. Conscience I thank you, you speak like an honest Man, and indeed I have always found you impartial, according to your Light. I will then give you such a Description of this subtil and deceitful Enemy of mine, that you cannot well mistake; and this I shall do, by propounding a few Questions to you.
First, Sir, Was he ever thoroughly wounded in the Sense of Sin, as 'tis Sin, being convinced of the ugly and abominable Nature thereof; there being nothing in all the World more hateful to God than that, not only convinced of the Evil which does attend it, or is the Fruit of it, but also of that cursed Evil there is in it, it being utterly contrary to the holy and pure Nature of God, a Breach of his Law, and that which hath made a Breach between God and Man, and basety defaced the Image of God if him, and is the absolute Cause of all that abominable Enmity that is in his Heart against God and me his blessed Off-spring; and also makes Man in love with the ⟨p. 98⟩Ways of the Devil, nay, to be like the Devil, conformable to him, and to do his Will.
Secondly, Is there no one Sin that he secretly loves and lives in, (the evil Habits never being broken?) Have you found him now and then telling a Lie for his Advantage Sake, or in telling of Tales or Stories, adding to them, to please the Company, or to excuse himself when accused of this or that, that so he may gain Credit? Is he not sometimes overtaken by Drunkenness? Is he not proud, minding more the Honour, Praise, and Applause of Men in what he doth in Religion, than the Praise of God? Is he not Covetous? Doth he give according to his Ability to the Poor? Doth he not rob God to serve the World? I mean neglect hearing of God's Word, and other indispensable Duties, for worldly Profit Sake, and so prefer the World above the Word? Doth he never in Trading offend you, in speaking better of his Commodities than they deserve? Is not the World more in his Love and Affections than God and Jesus Christ? Does he always give good and just Weight and Measure, and not take unlawful Profit? Doth he not make Gain of Godliness, and use Religion as a Cloak, to cover his secret Sins; doth he concern himself for the Interest of the Gospel, and his open-heartedness shew upon that account he loves Christ above Son or Daughter?
