A49255:457
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin…
The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the privilege of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...The penitent pardoned a treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin and the priviledge of the pardon of sin : together with a discourse of Christs ascension into heaven and of his coming again from heaven : wherein the opinion of the Chiliasts is considered and solidly confuted / being the sum and substance of several sermons preached by that faithful servant of Christ, Mr. Christopher Love ...
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1657
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus much for the answer to that question, as to the comfort of troubled souls.
Now by way of Caution, that this comfort the scripture gives be not abused.
The first Caution is this, That though it be possible a man may fall often into the same sin; yet it is not usual so to do; it is a note that Mr Hildersham hath on Ps. 51. touching Davids foul sin. I do not read of any express example in all the Scriptures of a godly man falling oft into the same gross sins after repentance, and after humiliation for that sin. Observe this further, that though it be possible, yet it is but very rare, and though there be instances that some men have done so, yet there ⟨p. 105⟩are not more plentiful instances that good men have not done so, I will give you a few instances. Jehoshaphat entered into a sinful league with Ahaziah as he had done before with his father, but when the Prophet rebuked him; read the story, 1 King. 22. He had sinned a once with his father, but he would not sin a second time with his Son, so that, here you see a good man would not second time join with an Ahaziah; So likewise you have the instance in Judah, that was in father in law to Tamar, Gen. 28. 26. And Judah acknowledged them and said; she hath been more righteous then I, because that I gave her not to Shelah may son: and he knew her again no more. It was not again done, he knew her again no more, so as Divines do usually urge it; Noah was drunk, but never but once, and that before he knew the strength of the grape. David was adulterous, but never but once: This therefore shall be one caution.