A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

Thirdly, Another object of our memory commended in Scripture is, The former works of Gods Spirit which happily have been upon us, ¹but we have decayed and revolted. This were alone necessary for many a man, and especially in these times; Remember what love thou didst once bear to the Ordinances; Remember what delight and sweetness thou didst once find in them, but now thou hast cast them off Thus the Apostle remindeth the Galatians, Gal. 4. 15. Where is the blessedness you once spake of? Once they did so rejoice in Paul's Ministry, accounted it a blessing of an eminent nature, but now began to slight it. There are also many who have formerly been zealous and active for good things, they manifested their good desires about the things of God to all the world, but now they are become like so many clods of earth, they have forsaken the better part, which with Mary once they did choose, and are either turned dissolute or earthly, crawling upon the ground like so many worms: Thus these flourishing trees are quite withered, having neither fruit or leaves: Thus the Church of Ephesus, guilty of partial Apostasy, Revel. 2. 5. is enjoined To remember from whence she is fallen; and this counsel is to be given to many persons, Remember it was ⟨p. 262⟩otherwise with thee once; Remember it was not so with thee, as it is now; The time hath been thy heart hath been much affected with the word of God preached; The time hath been thou hadst family-duties, and daredst not to neglect the family-worship of God; But now, What is become of all this Religion, You that began in the Spirit, do you not end in the flesh? Especially your memories are often to be stirred up and quickened, who have been under many fears and dangers, who have been at the point of death: Oh what thoughts, what resolutions have you made against sin! What bitter thoughts and apprehensions had you about your former evil ways? But (alas) how quickly are all those agonies of soul forgotten? In this your memories are very much polluted, that all your vows, all your promises to God, all your fears and terrors are forgotten: Thou that art now embracing of thy lusts, entertaining thy Delilah's again, Oh remember what thou didst think of these things, when thou didst look upon thy self as a dying man! Oh remember what woes and wounds were upon conscience!