298 SEVENTH SERMON and reverence him as a just and holy man ; but in the case of Herodias he must be excused ; upon this issue doth he and salvation shake hands, Mark vi. 20. 27. This is the difference between hypocritical and sincere conversion ; that goes far, and parts with much, and proceeds to almost ; but when it comes to the very turning point, and ultimate act of regene- ration, lie then plays the part of an unwise son, and stays in the place of the breaking forth of children, Hos. xiii. 13. As a foolish merchant, who in a rich bargain of a thousand pounds breaks upon a difference of twenty shillings : but the other is contented to part with all, to suffer the loss of all, to carry on the treaty to a full and final conclusion, to have all the armour of the strong man taken from him, that Christ may divide the spoils, Luke xi. 22. to do the hardest duties if they be commanded, Gen. xxii. 3. The searching, convincing, and penetrating quality which is in the word, is a great matter of offence unto wicked men, when it cuts them to the heart, as Stephen's sermon did his hearers, Acts vii. 54. Light is of a discovering and manifesting property, Eph. v. 13. and for that reason, is hated by every one that doth evil, John iii. 20. for though the pleasure of sin unto a wicked man be sweet, yet there is bit- terness in the root and bottom of it ; he who loves to enjoy the pleasure, cannot endure to hear of the guilt. Now the work of the word is to take men in their own heart, Ezek. xiv. 5. to make manifest to a man the secrets of his own heart, 1 Cor. xiv. 25. to pierce, like arrows, the hearts of God's enemies, Psa. xlv. 5. to divide asunder the soul and spirits, the joints and marrow, and to be a discerner of the thoughts and
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