Propositions

96 As of all gifts, the gift of Gods spirit is the dearest, so the loss of it is most dangerous: for besides that, we know how few taste of it, and with what pain they that have gotten it keep it; and with what hard brunts they that lose the graces of it recover them again, we may conjecture the greatness of the loss, by our experience in other things: they that have been in reputation for their riches, and are become bankrupts, are grieved and ashamed; how much more then should their grief be, who by the riches of Gods graces have been comfortable to themselves, and honourable amongst others; and now by the decay of those gifts, have lost both the sweet peace and joy in themselves, and their credit with God, and in the conscience of the godly.

96 As of all guifts, the guift of Gods spirite is the dearest, so the losse of it is most dangerous: for besides that, wee know how few taste of it, and with what paine they that haue gotten it keepe it; and with what hard brunts they that lose the graces of it recover them againe, wee may conjecture the greatnes of the losse, by our experience in other things: they that haue beene in reputation for their riches, and are become bankrupts, are grieved and ashamed; how much more then should their griefe be, who by the riches of Gods graces haue beene comfortable to themselues, and honourable amongst others; and now by the decaye of those guifts, haue lost both the sweete peace and joye in themselues, and their credite with God, and in the conscience of the godlie.

97 We must be like Children in three things chiefly: First in respect, little babes. Secondly, in regard of innocents. Thirdly, in respect of them that are growing from child-hood. First, babes are never quiet, except the pap be in their mouth; or else having late been at it, they are well fed: so ought we still to desire to lye at the food of our souls, and to find unquietness in our souls, if we be long from it. Secondly, weaned children, though they are not without natural corruption; yet this corruption doeth rather show it self by imitation, than by action: and if they do any evil, it is rather violent, than permanent: Thus should we be: Not making an occupation of sin, but are occupated of sin; not forecasting patterns of sin, but bend our minds how we may not sin; we are violently drawn thereunto by another; rather than voluntarily commit it our selves. Thirdly, they that grow out of child-hood do things beseming manhood rather than childishness: so though babish things both in life & doctrine become