A Golden Chain

LX.

¹By these temptations it comes to pass, that a Christian though he can not fall finally from Christ, yet he may fall very dangerously from his former estate. First, the graces of God may be by his default lessened in him: else Paul would not have given out these exhortations, ^aquench not the spirit. ³Grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Secondly, the graces of God may be buried in him, and covered for a time, so that he may be like a man in a trance, who both by his own sense and by the judgement of the Physician is taken for dead. This was the estate of Peter, who though he confessed that Christ was the Son of the living Lord, ^cyet he denied him and forswore him at the voice of a damsel. Thirdly, he may fall again into the same sin after repentance. Indeed this is a dangerous case; yet it may befall a true christian. Otherwise when as the Israelites (Gods people) had fallen away from him by their sins, and idolatries, he would not still have offered them mercy, ^das he doth by his Prophets. And ^ePaul prayeth the Corinthians in Christs stead that they would be reconciled to God: who nevertheless were before reconciled to God. Fourthly, he may commit a sin of presumption, which is a fearful sin, being done wittingly of knowledge and willingly, and with some wilfulness. Therefore David prayed, ^fKeep thy servant from presumptuous sins: and to show himself to be in danger of it, he prayeth further, let them not have dominion over me. Lastly, he may fall into despair of Gods mercy for a time, and this is a dangerous sin. For he which despairs, makes all the promises of God to be false: and this sin of all other is most contrary to true saving faith. In this estate was David, when being in trouble, he said,