The Return of Prayers

And when tempted to it again, have recourse to the kindness God showed thee ⟨p. 317⟩in pardoning, and say, how shall I do this, and sin against God? say as he said, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? 2. Sam. 16. 16. and what, shall I Absalom-like, now I am new reconciled to my Father, fall a plotting treason again? what, shall I make more work for prayer, more work for God, break my bones again, & lie roaring again? Think thus, I was burnt in the hand afore, I shall be racked surely now. Sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee.

And when tempted to it again, have recourse to the kindnes God shewed thee ⟨p. 317⟩in pardoning, and say, how shall I do this, and sinne against God? say as he said, Is this thy kindnesse to thy friend? 2. Sam. 16. 16. and what, shall I Absalom-like, now I am new reconciled to my Father, fall a plotting treason again? what, shall I make more worke for prayer, more worke for God, breake my bones again, & lie roaring again? Think thus, I was burnt in the hād afore, I shal be racked surely now. Sin no more lest a worse thing befall thee.

Use 3. The doctrine of assurance (if not abused) and of Gods speaking peace to men is no dangerous doctrine to make men secure and presumptuous ⟨p. 318⟩in sinning: when peace is preached in any mans heart, this use naturally flows from that Doctrine, return no more to folly. The very scope of the whole Epistle of S John is to help all believers to assurance, as appears by the 1. John 1. 4, 5. and the 5. Chap. 13. These things I write to you, that ye might have communion with God, and that your joy might be full. But this will open a way to all licentiousness. No says S. John, Chap. 2. 1. These things I write unto you that ye sin not; nothing guards the heart more against tentations, then the peace of God: it is said to guard the heart,