Therefore if thou hast been overtaken once, stop and be humbled, and say once I have spoken or done amiss, but I will not answer to plead for my self; ware the second time, the second fall, as the second blow makes the fray: but if a second time, say you twice, but I will proceed no further: 1but be sure thou take heed of drawing sin with a threefold cord, or cart-rope: this threefold cord is not easily broken, take heed of a third act; fear and the pit, and the snare are before thee: Oh bold and presumptuous sinner: if thou escape the fear (of the first act) thou ⟨p. 74⟩mayst perish in the pit (for the second) but if thou escape the pit, thou wilt be taken in the snare (the third time) upon the ungodly, God raineth snares, 2God gives once to a reprobate mind, and they are gone. Think not after a third or fourth act of presumptuous sin, to go and shake thy self (by prayer and repentance) as Sampson once,3 and that thy strength may return to thee to be delivered from these Philistines which lye in wait for thee, he did so but wist not (till he found it by woeful experience) that the Lord was departed from him; so may it be with thee, therefore be warned.
Therefore if thou hast been overtaken once, stop and be humbled, and say once I have spoken or done amiss, but I will not answer to plead for my self; ware the second time, the second fall, as the second blow makes the fray: but if a second time, say you twice, but I will proceed no further: 1but be sure thou take heed of drawing sin with a threefold cord, or cart-rope: this threefold cord is not easily broken, take heed of a third act; fear and the pit, and the snare are before thee: Oh bold and presumptuous sinner: if thou escape the fear (of the first act) thou ⟨p. 74⟩mayst perish in the pit (for the second) but if thou escape the pit, thou wilt be taken in the snare (the third time) upon the ungodly, God raineth snares, 2God gives once to a reprobate mind, and they are gone. Think not after a third or fourth act of presumptuous sin, to go and shake thy self (by prayer and repentance) as Sampson once,3 and that thy strength may return to thee to be delivered from these Philistines which lye in wait for thee, he did so but wist not (till he found it by woful experience) that the Lord was departed from him; so may it be with thee, therefore be warned.
- 1Job. 40.4, 5. Isaiah 5.18. Eccl. 4.12. Isaiah 24.27, 28Job. 40.4, 5. Esay 5.18. Eccl. 4.12. Esay 24.27, 28
- 2Psa. 11.6.
- 3Judg. 16.•0.
