The fifth temptation is a fall into some great sin,5 as Noah into drunkenness, David into Adultery, and murder, Peter into the denial of Christ. The exercise of a Christian in this temptation is this:
1 At the first his heart is usually dulled and made secure with sin.
2 Yet after a while there by some means ariseth in his heart a godly sorrow: which is when he is grieved for this only cause, that by his sin he hath displeased. God, who hath been to him so loving and merciful a father, ⟨p. 610⟩whose favour he would be content to purchase, (so he might have it and obtain it) even with the damnation of his own soul.
3 nThen he begins to repent himself of his sins, renewing afresh his former repentance.
4 This repentance he showeth by seven signs.
1 A care to leave that sin into which he is fallen. As they which crucified our Saviour Christ, when they were pricked in their hearts at Peters sermon, they showed this care in saying, oMen and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?
2. An Apology, which is when a man in the heaviness of his heart, shall not excuse or defend his sin, but confess it to the Lord, and utterly condemn himself for it: acknowledging withal that there is no way to escape the wrath of God, but by having Gods free pardon in Christ.
3 Indignation which is an inward anger and fretting against his own self, because he was so careless in looking to his own ways. Peter when he had denied his master, he wept and that bitterly, which showeth that with sorrow, he had also an anger against himself.
4 pA fear rising not so much from the judgements of God, as from this, least he should hereafter fall into the same sin again, and by so doing more grievously displease God.
5 A desire ever after more carefully to please God.
6 Zeal in the service of God.
7 Revenge upon himself for his former offences: for example, if a man sin in surfeiting and drunkenness, if he ever repent, he will bring under his corrupt nature by sparing and moderating himself.
The fift temptation is a fall into some great sinne,5 as Noah into drunkennes, Dauid into Adulterie, and murder, Peter into the deniall of Christ. The exercise of a Christian in this temptation is this:
1 At the first his heart is vsually dulled and made secure with sinne.
2 Yet after a while there by some meanes ariseth in his heart a godly sorrowe: which is when he is g•ieued for this onely cause, that by his sinne hee hath displeased. God, who hath beene to him so louing and mercifull a father, ⟨p. 610⟩whose fauour he would be content to purchase, (so he might haue it and obtaine it) euen with the damnation of his owne soule.
3 nThen he beginnes to repent himselfe of his sinnes, renuing afresh his former repentance.
4 This repentance he sheweth by seuen signes.
1 A care to leaue that sinne into which he is fallen. As they which crucified our Sauiour Christ, whē they were pricked in their hearts at Peters sermon, they shewed this care in saying, oMen and br•thren, what shall we doe to be saued?
2. An Apologie, which is when a man in the heauines of his heart, shal not excuse or defend his sinne, but confesse it to the Lord, and vtterly condemne himselfe for it: acknowledging withall that there is no way to escape the wrath of God, but by hauing Gods free pardon in Christ.
3 Indignation which is an inward anger and fretting against his ownselfe, because he was so carelesse in looking to his owne waies. Peter when he had denied his master, he wept and that bitterly, which sheweth that with sorrow, he had also an anger against himselfe.
4 pA feare rising not so much from the iudgements of God, as from this, least he should hereafter fall into the same sinne againe, and by so doing more grieuously displease God.
5 A desire euer after more carefully to please God.
6 Zeale in the seruice of God.
7 Reuenge vpon himselfe for his former offences: for example, if a man sinne in surfetting and drunkennes, if he euer repent, he will bring vnder his corrupt nature by sparing and moderating himselfe.
- 5A fall into some sin.A fal into some sinne.
- n2. Cor. 7.11
- oAct. 2.37
- pmat. 29.75
