The mischiefs of self-ignorance and the benefits of self-acquaintance opened in divers sermons at…

4. There are some sins which cannot be frequently committed in consistency with true grace, or sincere repentance: and some which may be frequently committed in consistency with these. As where sins are known and great, or such as are easily subject to the power of a sanctified will, so that he that will reject them, may: As one such sin must have actual Repentance, if actually known; so the frequent committing of such will not consist with Habitual Repentance. Whereas those sins, that are so small as upright persons perhaps may not be sufficiently excited to resistance; or such as upon the sincere use of means are still unknown, or such as a truly sanctified Will may not subdue, are all of them consistent with repentance and a justified state; And in this sense we reject not that distinction betwixt Mortal and Venial sin; that is, between sin inconsistent with a state of spiritual life, and sin consistent with it, and consequently pardoned. He that had rather leave the former sort (the mortal sins) will leave them; and he that ⟨p. 492⟩truly repents of them, will forsake them: But of the other (consistent with Life) we must say, that a may may possibly retain them, that yet had rather leave them, and doth truly repent of them.

4. There are some sins which cannot be frequently commited in consistency with true grace, or sincere repentance: and some which may be frequently commited in consistency with these. As where sins are known and great, or such as are easily subject to the power of a sanctified will, so that he that will reject them, may: As one such sin must have actual Repentance, if actually known; so the frequent committing of such will not consist with Habitual Repentance. Whereas those sins, that are so small as upright persons perhaps may not be sufficiently excited to resistance; or such as upon the sincere use of means are still unknown, or such as a truly sanctified Will may not subdue, are all of them consistent with repentance and a justified state; And in this sense we reject not that distinction betwixt Mortal and Venial sin; that is, between sin inconsistent with a state of spiritual life, and sin consistent with it, and consequently pardoned. He that had rather leave the former sort (the mortal sins) will leave them; and he that ⟨p. 492⟩truly repents of them, will forsake them: But of the other (consistent with Life) we must say, that a may may possibly retain them, that yet had rather leave them, and doth truly repent of them.