CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Thirdly, Another great opposite to further Sanctification is Apostasy and declinings in godliness, which are either gradual in the truly godly, or total in him that appeareth to be so only, Rev. 2. Gods great Controversy with some of those Churches, was because they fell from their first love, and they are commanded to strengthen the things that are ready to die; This is to be a very Antipodes to increase in grace, when thy Sun doth not stand still, but go backward, and still more backward; Oh fear these Consumptions of the Soul, Thou hast not the life, the vigour, the zeal of Grace once thou hadst, thou art not the man thou wert once; Thou art like Sampson that hath lost his strength, like old Barzillai that canst not take thy wonted delight in heavenly things, Oh be afraid of these languors, and repent from whence thou art fallen; But the godly Soul may be hereupon dejected, and question whether ever it were truly sanctified or not, for they find much decay; They have often dead and cold hearts, yea, they are not as lively as they have been, They are even turned into stones, and are like Idols in Christianity, having eyes they see not, and hearts they understand hot.

Thirdly, Another great opposite to further Sanctification is Apostacy and declinings in godlinesse, which are either gradual in the truly godly, or totall in him that appeareth to be so only, Rev. 2. Gods great Controversie with some of those Churches, was because they fell from their first love, and they are commanded to strengthen the things that are ready to die; This is to be a very Antipodes to encrease in grace, when thy Sunne doth not stand still, but go backward, and still more backward; Oh fear these Consumptions of the Soul, Thou hast not the life, the vigour, the zeal of Grace once thou hadst, thou art not the man thou wert once; Thou art like Sampson that hath lost his strength, like old Barzillai that canst not take thy wonted delight in heavenly things, Oh be afraid of these languors, and repent from whence thou art fallen; But the godly Soul may be hereupon dejected, and question whether ever it were truly sanctified or not, for they finde much decay; They have often dead and cold hearts, yea, they are not as lively as they have been, They are even turned into stones, and are like Idols in Christianity, having eyes they see not, and hearts they understand hot.