Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/202

 190 and against that sinne whereunto we are not so much enclined, more then against others no lesse dangerous, whereunto we are disposed.

Fourthly, Consider the course of our affections, and we shall see how unsound we are towards God and our Brethren. If a thing touch our selves, our blood will quickly be in our nailes: If a man know this or that a misse by us, it is very grievous, the shame of it much upbraids us: but things that offend God, and which we know he seeth amisse in us, we can let these passe nothing affected. A signe our love to him is not so sound, our feare of him, and desire of praise with him, not so unfained. We should be ashamed to be found often in the same fault before men: but we commit and confesse the same sinnes daily before God, and are not confounded in our selves. If we speake but an hasty or unadvised word in the presence of some grave and godly man, that might be to our disgrace, our thoughts trouble us: but the offence against God is lightly passed over. We are circumspect to avoid the breach of penall lawes, not so carefull to watch against the committing of sinne against God. We confesse sinne before God, and seeme to aggravate it: but being questioned by men, we turne the faire side outward, and make the best of it.

Lastly, Let us observe how frequently our actions are corrupted. In leaving sinne many time we leave it not because we hate it as sinne, but it hath often broaken out to our reproach; our friends perswade us to breake it off, it will be for our credit and advantage. We confesse our owne sinnes, not desiring to give glory to God, and gaine a testimony of a sound heart: but because worldly wisdome doth tell us, It is best to tell our owne tale, or it were double folly to make daintie of that all the world knoweth: It will not be for our credit to lessen our fault, when it is fully knowne; we shall loose the estimation of good men if we seek to hide, excuse, or make light of our offences. Our promises of amendment, when we have been overtaken with sinne to our disgrace, have not proceeded from due consideration, nor had due execution accordingly. In the profession of religion we have oft aimed at sinister ends, as praise of men, gaine, or the like, Thus in taking up good duties, as orders in our family, we often looke not so much at the conscience of Gods Commandement, as at this, The eyes of men are upon us, all the world will cry shame,