Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Again, fourthly, those come under this reprehension of making an ill choice, who have had some stirrings ¹of the Spirit of God, some workings of their consciences, that their way hath not been good, and right, and these have been but for some time, afterward they have given themselves, and do give themselves too too much liberty in satisfying the flesh. These are like the Israelites, of whom we read, Exod. 24. 11. according to the note that some have upon this place, They saw God, and did eat and drink; ⟨p. 154⟩That is, say they, although they had seen God, yet they turned again to temporal pleasures, to eating and drinking, in a sensual way, as if it had reference to that sensual eating and drinking, and rising up to play; upon the dedication of their Calf they sate up, which was presently after.

1. 14.

Thus many, although they have seen the Lord, and this sight of God hath wakened conscience, their hearts have been much stirred for a while, yet they have after fallen to eating and drinking, to sensual pleasures, all their good beginnings hath come to nothing. These when they have been in company, and come away, they have had many sad thoughts, and next day, or in the night many sad sighs and groans have come from their spirits, because their spirits are enlightened, and make them fear all will not be well in the end; and yet these continue still in giving themselves pleasure, and delights to the flesh inordinately; if company call, they cannot refuse: when they are stirred in their consciences, they will take a book and read, or pray; yet they are presently weary, and cannot bear such a kind of life, they think they shall grow melancholy, and they must again go to their former ways.

Thus many, although they have seen the Lord, and this sight of God hath wakened conscience, their hearts have been much stirred for a while, yet they have after faln to eating and drinking, to sensual pleasures, all their good beginnings hath come to nothing. These when they have been in company, and come away, they have had many sad thoughts, and next day, or in the night many sad sighs and groans have come from their spirits, because their spirits are enlightened, and make them fear all will not be well in the end; and yet these continue still in giving themselves pleasure, and delights to the flesh inordinately; if company call, they cannot refuse: when they are stirred in their consciences, they will take a book and read, or pray; yet they are presently weary, and cannot bear such a kinde of life, they think they shall grow melancholy, and they must again go to their former ways.