Page:Sinner's sobs, or, The sinner's way to Sion's joy.pdf/7

( 7 ) defend thee from those helish monsters? God is incensed hell prepared, justice threatened, only mercy must prevent or the soul is damned, Oh! miserable news the souls committed sin. But to give you some, reasons why there must be this piercing and wounding of souls for sin.

I. Reason. Because sin is the greatest evil of the soul, and the greatest burden also; that is most grievous which is most heavy. Now as there is no evil, so properly and directly evil to the soul, as the evil of sin is; so there is nothing that can properly do good to the soul, but God. Now while a sinner cannot see his sin, he cannot sorrow for his sin. Now it is a godly sorrow that causeth repentance unto life, as you may see in 3 Cor. vii. 10. And assuredly the soul that sees not the evil of sin, shall fall by the evil of punishment.

II. Reason, “Why unfeigned sorrow “and contrition of heart, for sin is necessary to salvation.” Because my sound sorrow the soul is truly prepared and fitted for the Lord Jesus Christ; as you may see in the Prophet Jer. xi. 8. Plow up the fallen ground ot your hearts, and sow not among thorns: What is it else, but to have the hearts pierced with