How to be sensible of sin with seven directions
or have life. If we have life, we have light, and can see and discern between good and evil. Some are still-born, yet think they live. Thus are many, thinking themselves unblameable in conversation, yet in heart full of pride; and like the Pharisees, count well of themselves, nothing knowing what belongs to the Christian warfare. Others are more bold, and their very lives bewray they think not of sin, but are bold in their courses, proud in speech and carriage, contemptuous of others and the means of salvation, contented with a little, and think anything enough. But the worst of all are those that think indeed of sin, but it is to defend it and maintain it by translation* and recrimination. They will be sure to repay double, to those that tell them of their courses in friendly manner.
How to be sensible of sin with seven directions Quest. But how shall we come to be sensible of sin?
Direct. 1. First, Let us have the picture of the law in our hearts, seeing all ill and the degrees thereof; also learn us to desire† to avoid sin, so to endeavour to flee all occasions thereof, though never so small; and to take up all occasions of doing good; and doing good spiritually from judgment, affection, faith; and consider the extent of the law, reaching to the least thought.
Direct. 2. Secondly, Bring ourselves continually into the presence of God. Human frailty appears in nothing more, than when it is brought to the light; opposites being compared illustrate one another.
Consider therefore in whose presence we are, what we are, what God is, what we have done, what he commandeth; and then, with Job, we
shall abhor ourselves in dust and ashes, though formerly we defended ourselves, Job 42:6.
Direct. 3. And because God is invisible, bring ourselves to that which is divine; hear we the word often unfolded, and we shall, with the unbeliever, 1 Cor. 14:24, 'be convinced, and falling down shall confess God's power with it.'
Direct. 4. Furthermore, Let us converse with those that are better than ourselves; for the image and likeness of God is seen in his children. It is the custom of many men to converse with the worst company, that they may appear to be the best; and thus do they increase an overweening selfconceit in themselves.
Direct. 5. Let us also use to go to places visited with God's corrections; for seeing misery, the conscience retires to itself, considering of the ways of sin, and how the devil pays those that serve him. And this use we ought to make of objects of misery, to see
God's correcting hand, else do we provoke God, Isa. 1:3–5, 'who curseth such;' Jer. 5:3, and branding them with the brand of king
Ahaz, 'this is Ahaz.' And while we delight ourselves with pleasing worldly objects, our eyes shut against sin, but corrections and punishments makes them see and discern. All Christ's admonitions could not make Judas see his sin of covetousness, which the weight of a burdened conscience afterward so wrought, as could not be pacified. Let us look therefore on the afflictions of other men, of our own persons and estates, and know the least crosses comes not without a just cause.
Direct. 6. Lastly, Let us pray to God to give us tender hearts; not to deliver us up to a hard impenetrable heart, and to spiritual judgments, but to keep us continually sensible of our sins and least infirmities.