Go iel Bernjsiort. ' 33 come at laft, it will recompencè thee for all thy waitings and pains. Sixthly, Be willing to catch holdofany beginnings of Gods difcoverings of himfof, it it be but a little gltrnpfe make much of it, and bless God for it : Many in 'their trouble leek to God for pardon ; but they are always complaining, either to their Neighbours or themfelves ; but feldom exprefs them- (elves in Thankfgivings : Now, you fhould obf;rve what God bath granted, what beginnings and glimpfe of his grace appear ; look and fee if there be not a little cloe d, the bignefs ofa mans, hand, it may breed a fhower, a fhower of grace may come after it ; but take- notice of it, when it is but the bignefs of a mans hand : it -is a great evil in fuch as are under trouble of Confcience, becaufe they find not full Aflurancc prefently, they think they receive nothing at all : Weil, wait upon God under tilde directions, and as you (hall not be fo guilty of diíhonouring the pardoning mercy of God ; fo 'twill be a means to bring great good unto your foule. We have now done with the feveral ways of difhonouring the pardoning grace of God ; and becaufe God is very jea- lous of this, and takes it exceeding ill ; Ihave been the larger in it ; now I am to fhew the evil of it. Of the Evil ofdiflsonouring the Pardoning Grace of God: }lift, There is this evil in it; becatsfe it is afinning again) mercy,which God accounts his glory ; a man takes it exceed'= ing ill, ifbe be wronged in his Cioods, or good Name , or in any thing he apprehends an, excellency in ; and (mark it Thegreater excellency a man apprehends in any thing,the grea- ter evil he accounts the wrong that is done tohim in that thing : As a covetous man, ifyouwrong him in his Elate, he prefent-, ly as a mad man cannot bear it, becaufe you wrong him of that which he counts his greateft excellency; fo aScholar, a .man' of parts will rather you wrong him in any thing than ac- count of him as a Dunce , becaufe he accounts his parts and' learning his`greatehl excellency, therefore he wouldnot be. wronged in that : fo you that are Marriners, and have skill' S. 3 ire
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