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

Posit. 6 6. The Christian may as to his own sense be reduced to a very sad and low state. 1. He is poor in spirit, he mourns, he hungers, thirsts, pants, doubts, dislikes all. 2. He judgeth of himself as (under present prevailency of corruption) Carnal, sold under sin, a forced slave to it, Rom. 7.14. 3. As if nothing had been done yet, and all was to do, he begs, O God, create a new heart in me, Psal. 51. 4. He may be apt to conclude against himself, I never did yet truly believe or repent; and which is worse with Thomas, I never shall believe. 5. In this case he lies bound as Peter, ¹and can't help himself till the Angel comes and ⟨p. 77⟩strikes off the bands, and opens the iron-gate. 6. And as to comfort he may be at an utter loss, walk in darkness, Isaiah 50.10. judge himself cut off, Ezek. 37.11. his hope perished, Lam. 3.18. God hiding his face, Satan showing his teeth, casting forth a flood, and shooting in a peal of fiery darts, Curse God and dye. Thou art mine as sure as death, as sure of damnation, as I my self. Then how doth a poor soul mourn! I am forsaken and quite cast out of sight, I am as a bottle in the smoke (of hell) like a broken vessel, or fire-band reserved for hell, as possible for this Venice-glass said that distressed Gentlewoman Mrs. Honywood, not to be broken when it falls on the ground; as for me to escape the damnation of hell. God can do much saith he, but doth he show wonders among the dead, Psal. 88.10. Then pray he would, but cannot, hope he would but cannot, believe he would but dare not, fear he would not, but must, resolve he would to cast himself upon God, but he sees his resolution set another way, and he cannot he thinks change it, therefore doth he not go about it. To God he saith, I am cast out of thy sight, Psal. 31.22. To Satan Vicisti Satana, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? to despair I yield, but call not for quarter, nor beg I mercy, to affliction he saith I am in the belly of hell,