Christs counsel to his languishing church of SardisChrists counsell to his languishing church of Sardis

But the neglect of these hath brought the soul into a spiritual languor, and perhaps into a deep consumption of graces.

But the neglect of these hath brought the soule into a spirituall languor, and perhaps into a deep consumption of graces.

5 Defect of frequent examinations: though at our original and first conviction of sin, and a sinful condition, we are very tender and circumspect, and ever and anon feared, and overlooked our spiritual conditions, whereby we found singular ⟨p. 23⟩additions to our graces, yet after a while, after Christians have got over the pangs of the first birth, and have procured more peace and comfort, (as if a gracious soul would thrive of it self) they are generally apt to keep on the course of obedience, but think it superfluous, at least not so necessary, often to search, and view, and fannow themselves. And what now befalls them? surely two great evils, viz. that the estate and operation, and acts of sin, are not so strictly eyed: secondly, that the estate of their graces is not so well known and guarded against special motions and temptations, whereupon ⟨p. 24⟩it often falls out that the poor soul is reduced to great straits and leanness, the man cannot pray as heretofore, nor find that love to God and Christ as heretofore, nor have that delight in the ordinances, nor do that good in society, nor receive that profit, nor feel that mournfulness of spirit as heretofore: why? he did let and suffer his spiritual estate to run on at hazards, and the less searching of heart, the less strength of grace always.

5 Defect of frequent examinations: though at our originall and first conviction of sinne, and a sinfull condition, we are very tender and circumspect, and ever and anon feared, and overlooked our spirituall conditions, whereby we found singular ⟨p. 23⟩