The returning backslider, or, A commentary upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy…The returning backslider, or, A commentarie upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy…

It implies likewise in the second place, an uniform course of life. Such a one doth not duties by starts now and then, but constantly, therefore we must judge of men by a tenure of life, what their constant ways are: sometimes though they be good men, they may step awry into an ill way, and yet come in again. Sometimes an ill man may cross a good way, as a thief when he crosseth the high-way: or a good man steps out of the way, but this is not their way, they are both out and to seek of their way. A wicked man when he speaks of good things he is out of his way; he acts a part and assumes a person he is unskilful to act, therefore he doth it untowardly. But a mans way is his course, a good mans way is good though his startings be ill, and an ill mans way is naught, though for passion or for by ends, he may now and then do good things. Therefore considering that the walking in the ways of God is uniform and orderly: let us judge of our selves by the tenure of our life, and course thereof. And let those poor souls who think they are out of the way because they run into some infirmities now and then, comfort themselves in this, that God judgeth not by single actions, but according to the tenure of a mans life, what he is. For often-times Gods ⟨p. 466⟩children gain by their slips, which makes them look the more warily to their ways for ever after that. He that walks in the way to Heaven, if he be a good man, he looks to make surer footing in the ways of God after his slips and falls. He labours also to make so much the more haste home being a gainer by all his slips and falls. Let none therefore be discouraged, but let them labour that their ways and courses may be good, and not only so, but to be uniform, orderly and constant, and then they may speak peace to their own souls, being such as are here described, The just shall walk in them.

It implyes likewise in the second place, an uniforme course of life. Such a one doth not duties by starts now and then, but constantly, therefore we must judge of men by a tenure of life, what their constant wayes are: sometimes though they be good men, they may step awry into an ill way, and yet come in againe. Sometimes an ill man may crosse a good way, as a theefe when hee crosseth the high-way: or a good man steps out of the way, but this is not their way, they are both out and to seek of their way. A wicked man when hee speakes of good things he is out of his way; he acts a part and assumes a person he is unskilfull to act, therfore he doth it untowardly. But a mans way is his course, a good mans way is good though his startings be ill, and an ill mans way is naught, though for passion or for bie ends, hee may now and then doe good things. Therefore considering that the walking in the wayes of God is uniforme and orderly: let us judge of our selves by the tenure of our life, and course thereof. And let those poore soules who thinke they are out of the way because they run into some infirmities now and then, comfort themselves in this, that God judgeth not by single actions, but according to the tenure of a mans life, what hee is. For often-times Gods