The Return of Prayers

And the reason of this especial tenderness to fall into the same sin, is, because the Conscience looks upon a relapse into that sin, to be more heinous, then into any other sin of another kind; because of that aggravation of it, which thereby would stain and die it: and although a sin of another kind shows the variety of corruption more; yet, this is more against the power and work of repentance it self, which was particularly exercised about that sin: and ⟨p. 374⟩also breaks, and dissolveth all bands of a mans vows, covenants, prayers, &c. made against it in particular, and so is made more grievous. And this we may see in Ezra's humbling himself for that great sin of the people, in joining themselves in marriage with the people of the land, when he did set himself to humble himself for them, together with those that feared God, Chap. 9. 4. What an hideous apprehension of the heinousness of that sin, if they should again fall into it, did that days repentance raise his heart up unto? as appears v. 14. Should we again break thy ⟨p. 375⟩commandments, and join in affinity with them, wouldst thou not destroy us, till thou hadst consumed us, and till there was no escaping? Into which sin, yet, the people did again fall, after they had repented of it, with a solemn confession and promise of amendment, which is recorded, Chap. 10. v. 11, 12. &c. yet they returned to it again the second time, as we find in Malachi, who lived the last of the Prophets, and after this prayer of Ezra. For Chap. 2. 12. the Prophet says, An abomination is committed in Jerusalem, for Judah hath married the daughter of a strange god: and then follows ⟨p. 376⟩the aggravation, v. 13. This ye have done again, that is, the second time, and in that respect are challenged to deal treacherously; and that also in respect they had repented of it the first time, covering the Altar with tears, with weeping, and crying out, as Malachi there speaks: so as God regardeth not your offerings any more. And therefore also Psal. 78. 40. How oft did they (saith he, as aggravating their sins) by murmuring provoke the Lord? and Numb. 14. 22. God reckons up, and mentions the times of their sinning, how often they had thus sinned, as an aggravation