The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

6. They may remove and abate sin in part, which is done by the contrary. Knowledge removes ignorance as light doth darkness, grief abates pleasure, and fear boldness in sinning: Patience keeps under passion, and fasting tames unruly lusts. When the strength of a Fever is abated by physical means, a man is disposed towards health: and when a man hath gotten Moralities (which he may do) and by them made an abatement of his sins and lusts, he is materially disposed to grace; as the ground when ploughed is for seed, though the seed be not yet sown.

6. They may remove and abate sin in part, which is done by the contrary. Knowledge removes ignorance as light doth darkness, grief abates pleasure, and fear boldnesse in sinning: Patience keeps under passion, and fasting tames unruly lusts. When the strength of a Feaver is abated by physicall meanes, a man is disposed towards health: and when a man hath gotten Moralities (which he may do) and by them made an abatement of his sins and lusts, he is materially disposed to grace; as the ground when plowed is for seed, though the seed be not yet sown.

7. They may do materially what Converts do. There is no act considered in its mere nature and kind, which a true Christian may perform, but one unconverted may perform also, and have many like dispositions unto those they have. They may love God, It's clear,¹ they loved God, who loved pleasures more than God. They may have Faith: Simon Magus believed; they may hate sin in others,² if not in themselves. Absalom hated Amnons uncleanness, they may delight in God and in his ways, Isa. 58, 2. They may have a zeal for God, and such a ⟨p. 32⟩[…] ⟨p. 33⟩