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…

6. He may for a time pull his neck out of this strongest yoke of Satan, only out of melancholic pang of slavish terror, serious fore-thought of death, and lying everlastingly in Hell, true apprehension of the impossibility of being saved without abandoning it; upon some desperate horror ⟨p. 40⟩of bringing again his beloved sin in his bosom to the Communion, after so many causefull provocations of Divine Justice; observation of some remarkable vengeance seized upon his fellow-delinquents; or sensible smart of some terrible blow from Gods visiting hand in one kind or other: I say, upon some such occasion, he may for a time forbear his bloody oaths, usury, drunkenness, gaming, Playhouse haunting, self-polluting, walking in the black and dark night after the strange Woman, or what other sin soever doth reign in him, and retain him strongliest in the devils slavery. But because it is not the work of the Word, humbling him soundly under Gods mighty hand, planting faith, and infusing mortifying power, he is not able to hold out long; but the unclean spirit returns, and rules in him again far more imperiously, and sensually, out of indignation of its discontinuance, and proportionally to the parties new-collected strength, and eagerness, to recommit it, after his extraordinary, and impatient forbearance. I know, it is not impossible, but that a man, after his conversion, by the sudden surprisal of some violent temptation, and cunning train of Satan, may be haled back to commit his sweet sin again; especially if it be of some nature, (though it be a very heavy case, and to be lamented, if it were possible, with tears of blood:) yet he never doth, nor can return to wallow in it again, or allow it. After such a dreadful relapse, his heart bleeds afresh with extraordinary bitterness of penitent remorse, he abhors himself in dust and ashes, as exceedingly vile, cries more mightily unto God in a day of humiliation, for the return of his pleased countenance, repairs and fortifies the breach with stronger resolution, and more invincible watchfulness, against future assaults, and all assays of re-entry.

6. Hee may for a time pull his necke out of this strongest yoke of Satan, onely out of melancholicke pang of slauish terrour, serious fore-thought of death, and lying euerlastingly in Hell, true apprehension of the impossibilitie of being saued without abandoning it; vpon some desperate horrour ⟨p. 40⟩