we see a flagitious, impious sinner? Behold a picture of our hearts. Such should we be, if God did leave us; what is in other men’s practice, is in our nature. Sin in the wicked is like fire on a beacon, that flames and blazes forth; sin in the godly is like fire in the embers. Christian, though thou dost not break forth into a flame of scandal, yet thou hast no cause to boast, for there is much sin raked up in the embers of thy nature. Thou hast the root of bitterness in thee, and wouldst bear as
Page 49