The Christians two chief lessons viz. self-denial, and self-trial. As also the privilege of…The Christians tvvo chiefe lessons viz. selfe-deniall, and selfe-tryall. As also the priviledge of…

Use. To advise all Christians that they do not rest in these imperfect motions that are common to the temporary; as that they have had some pangs of sorrow for sin; some flashing joy in the hearing of the word; some good desires, that they otherwhiles feel; these have been in such as have afterward fallen finally away, and are branded with the black coal of reprobation. We must, as we would have comfort in our profession, both try these motions of what kind they are, and when we have tried them, endeavour to be led forward to perfection. And for the enforcing of this Exhortation.

Vse. To advise all Christians that they doe not rest in these imperfect motions that are common to the temporary; as that they have had some pangs of sorrow for sin; some flashing joy in the hearing of the word; some good desires, that they otherwhiles feele; these have beene in such as have afterward fallen finally away, and are branded with the blacke coale of reprobation. We must, as we would have comfort in our profession, both try these motions of what kinde they are, and when we have tryed them, endeavour to be led forward to perfection. And for the enforcing of this Exhortation.

Motive 1 Consider first, That the estate of him that hath begun in the spirit, if afterwards he fall away, embracing this present world with Demas, his estate is worse at the end, then it was at the first, for look as it is with water having been once ⟨p. 245⟩heat, if after it be cold again, it is more easily frozen; so it is with men that have been once warmed with the sun-shine of grace, if after they grow cold, they are more easily frozen in their impiety, more hardened in the courses of sin, Matth. 12.¹ the end of that man, where there is a re-entry of Devils, after their ejection, is worse than the beginning,