Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

aradthe divers fires efthem. 403 tnof : effeéuall when comparifon is made with others, Pfal. -73.12, 13. Jer 12. 1. And although reply be made, that the Lord many times doth greivoufly afhid his own children, he will alledge that never any was fo alined either for the length or for the greatneffe, &c.The fecond motive is con- fcience of finne committed. For the devil, that extenuateth a finne when it is to be committed, making of a mountain a mole -hill; when it is com- mitted, he will aggravate the fame, and of a mole- hill make a mountain, perfwading a man that his finne is greater then may be forgiven, as we fee in Cain and Judas. On the other fide, he ternpteth men to vain pre- Of prefum- fumption, that it may occupie the room of faith: As priors. when he bringeth mere naturali men into a conceit of themfelves that they have a good faith to God, that they love him with all their hearts,that they are highly in Gods favour; Firfr, by flattering them in their ignorance and blindneffe. For the more igno- rant and fotti(h a man is in Ghriflianity, the greater conceit commonly he bath of himfelf. Secondly, by making them pleafe themfelves in the perform- ance offome outward works; wherein Popifh devo- tion confifteth, Mich. 6.6. Luke 18.12. Thirdly, by comparing themfelves with others that be no- torious (inne rs, Luke 18.1 1. Fourthly, by letting them fee the falls of others that feem forward pro - feffours, he maketh them pleafe themfelves in their ignorance and fecurity; as if all profeffion of religi- on were but hypocrite, and they in the onely way. Fifthly, by confederation of their great profperity D d 2 which,