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

Answ. True: But there is much difference between the back-sliding of an Hypocrite, and the Relapses of Gods own Children into their Infirmities: a back-slider loseth that power which once he had; but a good man relapsing into his Infirmities, doth still keep that power of Godliness which he had before: a back-sliders Judgment and Principles crack and alter, in so much, as he doth bless himself in his Apostasy; but the good man relapsing into his Infirmities, still doth retain his Judgment, keep his Principles, and ⟨p. 396⟩doth groan under his Relapses. Possibly a man may fall into the same sin again and again, yet he may be no back-slider, nor called a back-slider in Scripture Language.

Answ. True: But there is much difference between the back-sliding of an Hypocrite, and the Relapses of Gods own Children into their Infirmities: a back-slider loseth that power which once he had; but a good man relapsing into his Infirmities, doth stil keep that power of Godliness which he had before: a back-sliders Judgment and Principles crack and alter, in so much, as he doth bless himself in his Apostacy; but the good man relapsing into his Infirmities, stil doth retain his Judgment, keep his Principles, and ⟨p. 396⟩doth groan under his Relapses. Possibly a man may fal into the same sin again and again, yet he may be no back-slider, nor called a back-slider in Scripture Language.

But in the Second place: A man may be said to be satisfied with his own ways, either because he is given up to his sins, so as to be glutted with them, finding all delight and contentment in them; or he is said to be satisfied with his own ways, in regard of that sorrow and affliction which he doth reap by them: in this sense a good man may have enough of his sin, and be said to be satisfied with his own ways. Thus it was with Jacob; he deceived his Brother Esau, and he deceived his Father Isaac; afterwards he was deceived by Laban, and by his Children; as he deceived his own Father, so was he deceived by his Father in Law; and as he deceived his Brother, so was he deceived by his Children, in the reports of Joseph's death: here was he satisfied in a way of sorrow with his own ways; he deceived others, and was deceived by others; he had enough of it. But though a good man may be thus satisfied with his own ways, yet he is never satisfied with them, so as to be given up to them. Possibly he may fall into them again and again, yet saith the Lord,