I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Object. 9 O! But I am afraid yet, that I am under the worst forsaking, ⟨p. 369⟩and that therefore I have sinned this great Sin; for I do lie despairing, saying, God is gone, and Mercy gone, I am in the dark, O! I despair, I despair, and upon this account I fear I have sinned this great Sin, the Sin against the Holy Ghost.

Answ. For Answer: You know what Heman said, I remember God, and am troubled; O Lord (saith he) all thy waves are gone over my head; the waves of thy wrath are gone over my head, and yet a Pen-man of Scripture. Aretius tells us of a certain man in his time; It is no feigned story, saith he, but I saw the man with my own Eyes, one that had been a most vile, and desperate Sinner, a Drunkard, a Swearer, a Wanton, a Gamester, and so he continued to his grey hairs; but at the last, it pleased God to set his Sins in order before him, and the man was so troubled in Conscience, that he threw himself down upon the ground, calling unto Satan to take him away, provoking Satan to take him away; Devil, take thy own, I am thy own, take thy own: whereupon (saith Aretius) prayer was made for him; Christians prayed, they fasted, and prayed, they prayed night and day; and it pleased God at last, this poor man revived, converted to God, lived a godly life, and died comfortably: So that it is not an easy thing (saith he) to pronounce what the Sin against the Holy Ghost is. But now, whosoever you are, that have laboured under this fear (as indeed this fear I know hath oppressed many) give me leave to ask you four or five short Questions.

Answ. For Answer: You know what Heman said, I remember God, and am troubled; O Lord (saith he) all thy waves are gone over my head; the waves of thy wrath are gone over my head, and yet a Pen-man of Scripture. Aretius tels us of a certain man in his time; It is no feigned story, saith he, but I saw the man with my own Eyes, one that had been a most vile, and desperate Sinner, a Drunkard, a Swearer, a Wanton, a Gamester, and so he continued to his gray hairs; but at the last, it pleased God to set his Sins in order before him, and the man was so troubled in Conscience, that he threw himself down upon the ground, calling unto Satan to take him away, provoking Satan to take him away; Devil, take thy own, I am thy own, take thy own: whereupon (saith Aretius) prayer was made for him; Christians prayed, they fasted, and prayed, they prayed night and day; and it pleased God at last, this poor man revived, converted to God, lived a godly life, and died comfortably: So that it is not an easy thing (saith he) to pronounce what the Sin against the Holy Ghost is. But now, whosoever you are, that have labored under this fear (as indeed this fear I know hath oppressed many) give me leave to ask you four or five short Questions.