The oil of gladnessThe oyle of gladnesse

An other and a sorer follows. Ah I, since the time that I thought my self called and converted, have yet again rushed into gross and grievous sins, and that also willingly and upon deliberation, and what shall I do then, sure I was but an hypocrite, and sure J cannot be pardoned, at least I am not. This reason also must be cast into this form. Whosoever after his calling and conversion committeth ⟨p. 140⟩great sins wilfully, was sure but an hypocrite, and is not nor can be pardoned. But so have I done, therefore J am but an hypocrite, I am not pardoned nor can be. To this I answer again, that the first part of the argument is apparently false, and therefore such is also the conclusion. It is false that he which hath so sinned after calling was but an hypocrite, and is not pardoned, for this was the very case of David whose example we now are handling. Did not he ⟨p. 141⟩fall in the self same fort as thou hast said, and yet he was no hypocrite, but he was pardoned. I demand of the therefore, Hast thou renewed thy confessions nad thy sorrows, and thy resolutions of amendment since thy fall, and art thou returned to a form, purpose and endeavour of walking before the Lord in uprightness. If thou hast, then I assure thee by warrant of Davids example, that thou wast sincere before, and that thou art pardoned. If thou hast not, I require ⟨p. 142⟩thee now, in Gods name, settle about these things, & apply thy self seriously to renew thy repentance, and to turn again to God, and thou shalt be pardoned. So is the second doubt answered taken from great sins.