Some general directions for a comfortable walking with God delivered in the lecture at…Some generall directions for a comfortable walking with God deliuered in the lecture at…

7. Most true is that saying of Aquinas; That all sins are coupled together, though not in regard of conversion to temporal good; for some look to the good of gain, some of glory, some of pleasure, &c. yet in regard of aversion from eternal Good, that is God; So that he that looks but toward one sin, is as much averted, and turned back from God, as if he looked to all. In which respect Saint James says, He that offendeth in one, is guilty of all.

7. Most true is that saying of Aquinas; That all sinnes are coupled together, though not in regard of conuersion to temporall good; for some looke to the good of gaine, some of glory, some of pleasure, &c. yet in regard of auersion from eternall Good, that is God; So that he that lookes but toward one sinne, is as much auerted, and turned backe from God, as if he looked to all. In which respect Saint Iames sayes, He that offendeth in one, is guiltie of all.

8. Every Christian should carry in his heart, a constant and ⟨p. 34⟩resolute purpose, not to sin in anything: for faith, and the purpose of sinning can never stand together.

8. Euery Christian should carry in his heart, a constant and ⟨p. 34⟩resolute purpose, not to sinne in anything: for faith, and the purpose of sinning can neuer stand together.

Thou seest then, if Satan keep possession, but by one reigning sin, it ^gwill be thine everlasting ruin. Thou shalt then be so far from ever enjoying any humble holy acquaintance with our God, that thou art gone body and soul for ever. One breach in the walls of a City, exposeth it to the surprise of the enemy: one leak in a ship neglected, will sink it at length into the bottom of the Sea: the stab of a penknife to the heart, will as well speed a man, as all the daggers that killed Caesar in the Senate-house: If thou hedge thy Close as high as the middle Region of the Air in all other places, and leave but one gap, all thy grass will be gone: If the Fowler catch the bird, either by the head, or the foot, or the wing, she is sure his own. It is so in the present case: If thou live, and lye with allowance and delight, in any one known sin, without particular remorse, or resolution to part with it; thou as yet carriest the Devils brand, he hath thereby marked thee out for his own. As obedience is universal and Catholic, if sincere; so repentance, if true, is also general. It srips us stark naked, as a worthy Divine says well, of all the garments of the old Adam, and leaves not so much as the shirt behind: in this rotten building, it leaves not a stone upon a stone. As the flood drowned Noah's own friends and servants: so must the flood of repenting tears drown our sweetest, and most profitable sins.